The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-28
STIR Up THINGS.
P. w. Evans Nearly Started
Trouble at Lewis Meeting.
Wanted to Know Why Non
Unionists We're There.
LEWIS MADE SPEECH.
His Humorous Reference to
Union Pacific Policy.
Usual Resolutions Endorsing
Him Are Adopted.
LEWIS MADEA SPEECH.

A printer by the name Of P. w Evans,
who works at Halls. tried to start
something at the labor mass meeting
held last night at III Kansas avenue in
the interests of F. A. Lewis for mayor.
President Weaver of the Trades Coun-
ell had just called the meeting to order.
We will nave music by Jackson's
band" he said.
Just a moment. Mr.. President" ex-
claimed Evans, rising in his place near
the rear of the hall. I want a little in
formation I understand that this is a
meeting of organized and unorganized
labor I am a representative of organ
lied labor. I would like to know why
the meeting in this hall Of the Trades
Council is thrown upon to organized and
unorganized LAHORE"
We'll, suppose it is like any other
mass meeting said President Weaver.
we invited in anyone who wants to
come. both organized and unorganized
laborers."
But Mr. President" persisted Evans,
what does the presence Of unorganized
labor here tonight signify?"
Mr.. Weaver made no reply There
We're cries Of "Musicl musicI" from all
parts of the hail. The confusion in
creased, and everybody was half stand
ing up, looking at Evans. 1t looked as
though there might be trouble Sud-
and the excitement quieted down.
The Typograp hical union is displeased
with the action of the Trades Council
in indOrsing Lewis and Mr. Evans
as a member of that union was simply
taking the opportunity to show that
things were not all one way.
Trades Council hall was well filed
last night. There were about 200 men
present. About one-third of the number
were negroes. It was a free for all,
camp meeting sort of an affair. at which
the people in the audience broke in with
fervent comments of assent when the
speakers made good points. It was
something like d Saturday Night club
banquet without the banquet.
After the first piece by the band,
Frank Lewis spoke. There was frequent
applause. He said in part:
i didn't know. after the articles
which have been appearing in the pa
pers criticising the action eff the Trades
Council, whether or not the laboring
people of Topeka wanted a champion.
But am convinced by this meeting
here tonight that they do.
During the past % years, this coun-
try has seen the greatest combination OF
history of the world To this forganiza-
ton there is only one possible answer
by the laboring men, and that is organ
lied labor Since left school [ have
worked every day for my living. No
body ever gave me a cent. / learned my
trade, that of an expressman. I worked
month after month for nothing, to learn
the business. Then I was paid dollar
a day. A little later it was raised TO a
dollar and a quarter Finally I was
made foreman, or agent of the company
here. I never worked but for one cor
poration. and have worked for that
one % years.
"A few days ago, a representative
came to me from the Trades Council,
and asked me to state my feeling
toward the trades unions l told him
that my whole heart and whole soul
was with them. that If elected mayor I
would do everything I could for them.
This representative called on the other
candidates, and 7 want to tell you that
it was the prOudest moment of my life
when 1 read in the newspapers that
the Trades Council had decided to en-
dorse me. The sheets of that news
paper were hardly dry when they said
that I didn't represent the union labor.
They said. This man works for the
Union Pacific railway, Which railway is
notoriOusly hostile to union labor
Well I suppose might as we'll confess
it. OF course I control the directors of
the Union Pacific; I am in sole manage
ment of its policy. / am also the man
who hit Billy Patterson. I stole Charley
Ross, and [ am the fellow who ran off
with that Cudahy youngster. 1t was
who blew uD the Maine. Now you
know it all
do the union laborers Of Topeka
want a man to represent them IN the
mayors chair2 / defy anyone in this
city to say that I ever did any man an
Injustice I believe it is only fair and
decent to give me trial before you
Judge me There is only one way to
succeed and that is to stand together.
You have heard the story which the old
man told his sons, just as he was about
to die. He showed them that bundle
of fagots bound together could not be