The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-30
OUTLOOK I5 BLUE
 FOR THE STRIKERS Crowds of Hungry Men SCram-
 bIe for Food PACKERS ARE OBDURATE
Mayor Harrison Thinks Aldermanic Committee Will lse Unablo to Ae-
 complish AnythIns-No lndl-
 cation of Break In Ranks.

Chicago. August 29-The executive board of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen's union adjourned after a short session and the members went to confer with the allied trades council It was admitted that a proposi- ton for settling the strike had been ar ranged and would be presented to the council for action, but the details were withheld.
 There was no indication of the immed- late realization of the break In the ranks of the strikers anticipated by the pack CTS. Early trains arriving at the stock yards were thronged, about 13,OO0 men and women being taken in The crowd, how ever proved to be the usual throng of strike-breakers, and there was no sug- gestion of disorder. Desertions from the ranks of the strikers were no greater than usual on Monday. They approx- mated about one hundred. The failure of the anticipated stampede to material ize proved a disappointment to the packers
 The peace proposition was discussed by the allied trades council. but on account of the complicated nature Of the propo- stion the council adjourned without talk ing action. The labor representatives will meet the aldermanic mediation committee today and the peace proposition will be taken up again tomorrow.
 Funds Are Depleted.
 With the strine relief funds depleted and crowds of hungry men vainly scram bling for food at the commissary stores, It taxed the labor leaders 10 md a way to prevent a stampede from the union ranks today. Wait until tomorrow and we shall present to the packers a peace proposition which they cannot decline to accept" they told the men.
 There is nothing left for the men but unconditional surrender" said a packer. The leaders should not hesitate in call ing the strike off so that these men, who are anxious, could find work. Many of them will be rehired in Packingtown, but there are thousands who must look elsewhere for employment, and they should be released so they can begin the pursuit for work outside the stock yards. It does not make any difference what peace proposals the strikers have to submit, we shall not deal with the unions. The only terms of surrender we shall consider will be the return of the men as individuals"
 Representatives of the packers held a long secret meeting this afternoon. They decline to make any statement concern ing its purpose beyond denying that any communication had been received from the strike leaders.
 The Two Letters.
 The following Is the letter which Presi- dent Donnelly sent to the packers;
 Gentlemen: Inasmuch as the existing strike in the packing industry Is causing much inconvenience to the general pub 1 lie as we'll as creating much i'll feeling and criticism and being desrous of doing | our full duty in this matter, we respect ] ful rpu1lpSt an carly conference with you with the view of effecting an honor able settlement of the controversy"
 The packers reply was:
 Your letter of August 29 has been re- ceiyed and in reply thereto nave to say that considering the present conditions of our plants and the results of past con ferences we can see no possible benefit that can follow any further conferences Therefore. we respectfully decline your request"
 Nothing Can Be Done. Absolutely nothing in Mayor Harrisons opinion summarizes the result of the meet | ing of the aldermanic committee named | to mediate if possible In the stockyard s ! strike after it had adjourned today The l committee does not expected to meet | again.
 | President Donnelly of the Butchers un- | ion Matthew Carr Nicholas Gier and | Organizer John Fitzpatrick met the Al | dermen in Mayor Harrisons office. They reported that the packers refused to make any concessions.
 No evidence was offered as to viola Hons of health laws in housing employees at the stock yards MT. Donnelly saying he had not yet prepared the data. The union leaders then withdrew and not long afterward the committee adjourned