The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-27
NEW STREET CAR UNION
WILL HAVE HEARTY SUPPORT OF
THE CENTRAL LABOR BODY.
II Ii Charged that the Company Is
Using Every Effort to Break Up
the Organization.

It was near the close of the Central La
Dor Union meeting, last night, before 1t
was apparent that anything Of Importance
would transpire. Several new delegates
were seated and Casper Orabaugh, OF
Muncie, who effected the organization OF
street-railway employees, spoke briefly.
Dizziness then prevailed until the motion
introduced two weeks ago by John F.
White, relative to the location of the art
site, was brought up by motion. There was
considerable discussion and a vote to in
dorse a central location showed q against
and 26 for the resolution. The vote to re-
quest a clause in the contract for the
building to be erected. providing for the
employment of union labor. was unani-
nous.
Delegate Butler then spoke for a few
moments, telling of the experiences OF the
men who Joined the new street-car en-
ployes union several days ago, and the
ball was started rolling. Speeches were
made by President John Blue and several
Others after which the following resolu-
ton was presented and adopted: Re
solved, That the Central Labor Union does
hereby heartily indorse the organization of
the street-railway men and pledge our
moral, and, if need be, our financial sup
port to the fostering of this organization
We hereby denounce the. Illegal acts of
coercion being put forth by the officials of
the Indianapolis Street-railway Company"
The resolution was followed by num-
Der of short. vigorous talks, which re-
suited in action which promises to bring
about an interesting situation so far as
labor organizations are concerned. 1t was
stated upon good authority that the OFF,
Gals had spies at the meeting for organi-
zation. and had circulated petitions among
the men who had not Joined the new union
asking them to pledge themselves not to
join the order. The petition in itself was
all right. but 1T was charged that in many
known instances the signatures were Sc
cured under threats of discharge from the
company's employ The propositions were
also made to members of the new union.
1t was decided by the Central Labor Union
that as there was an effort among the Of
ficials of the company to disorganize the
new union and prevent other employees
from joining, that it was its duty to stand
by the men who had effected the organiza-
ton and. as delegates, individually TO work
for the furtherance of the cause.
Section 1902, of the statutes, which is as
fellows: Protection of employees or men,
bers of labor organizations-It shall be
unlawful for any individual. or member of
firm, agent, officer. or employe of any
company or corporation to prevent en-
ployes from forming, joining or belonging
to any lawful organization, and any such
person that coerces or attempts to coerce
employees by discharging or threatening to
discharge them from their employ or the
employ of any such firm, company or cor
poration because of their connection with
such lawful labor organization, and any Of
ficer or employer who exacts a pledge
from workingmen that they will not be-
come members of labor organization as
condition of employment. shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor and upon conviction
thereof shall be fined in any sum not ex-
ceeding 500 or Imprisonment for not more
than six months or BOTH" was read and the
executive committee was instructed to
present the matter to the county prosecu-
tor with the evidence at hand, which is
said to be ample, with a view of having
the guilty persons indicted and brought to
trial.
Two delegates from the new union were
appointed to represent It at the meetings
of the Central Labor Union. They were not
present and 1t was charged that they were
kept away by the company, which re-
| fused to let them off duty.
1t was said that officials Of the street.
| car company had made statements that the
new union must and would be broken w
and that the backbone was already
broken. but members of the Central Labor
| Union, who have had much to do with
perfecting the new organization, say that
| there Is no sign of weakness on the par,
| of the members of the new union and that
new members are being added daily, de-
| spite the pledges and the statements OF
| Street-raflway officials