Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-06
STRIKERS IN CHICAGO, 1T is SAID,
WILL MEET AND VOTE ON
PROPOSITION.
SECRET CONFERE ENCE
Representatives Of the Union and Of
the Packers Met Last Night to Talk
Over Situation, According to Re-
ports-Live Stock Handlers Return.

tnlS morning says that as a result OF
the conference last night between the
representatives of the unions involved
in the packing house strike and the
owners of the plants, the strikers will
meet today or tomorrow to vote on the
question of calling off the strike, and
that they will be instructed to vote in
the Affirmative. The chief points of
the settlement are said to be as fol-
lows.
'The unions to call off the strike.
"The packers to re-employ as many
strikers as possible, and as many of
the new workers as wish to remain are
to be retained.
"The wages of skilled men to re-
main at the rate paid before the
strike"
Stock Handlers Return.
Fifty live stock handlers went back
to work during the night.
Leaders Will Not Talk.
Both labor leaders and the packing
house representatives were reticent
today in speaking about the reported
strikers. While some admitted that
there had been a conference others
denied it, but all refused to discuss its
significance or the results reached.
DonnelIy Makes Address.
The first hint that the question OF
calling off the packing house strike
| would be put to referendum vote OF
the members of the butcher work
mems union was given yesterday by
President Donnelly In speaking at q
mass meeting of union men he sug
/ gested that the strikers officers in 8
! few days might ask the men for in
structions.
The developments of the strike, es
pecially the news that the New Yorl
butchers had voted to break ava,
from the union and return to work
| caused labor leaders to avoid any ap
pearance of responsibility for the walk
out.
Others Step From Under.
President Samuel Gompers of thu
American Federation of Labor ant
several vice presidents of the organi
cation were in Chicago during the day
/ None of them cared to say word o
the struggle. None of them, so far Q
could be learned, saw Donnelly or hi
associates.
In the meeting of the Chicago Fed
GRAFTON of Labor the packing hous
strike also was avoided An informa
/ report of it's progress was made b,
W. M. Rossell of the machinists, bu
no action was taken. The disposition
to dodge the issue and not becom
unnecessarily mixed up in the strik
was evident everywhere
Donnelly Talks to Strikers.
Donnellys address was made in Al
open air gathering at Morgan an
Thirty-sixth streets. 1t was a neigt
borhood meeting and was attended b
1,500 strikers, their wives, and chilt
rem.
While the women sat on the gras s
and the babies played about them, th
men crowded close to wagon used a
a speakers stand and listened to tn
defense of their cause in several langl
ages. To the south the smoke poure
steadily from dozen great chimney
of the packing plants.
"This strike will be continued sal
Dcnnelly. until the officers of the vi
ion are instructed by the members t
). call it off. l ordered the walkout /
accordance with the referendum vot
of the men. cannot myself order tn
. men back.
"It may be that in two or three. day
the officers of the union will ask yo
, for instructions. Then whatever
: done will be done by you member
/. and not by me or my associates.
Admits Disappointment.
: "When we went OUT said Donnell
1--WE were not prepared to be idle fl
any length of time, but we have r
NAMED out eight weeks. We can ho
out for eight weeks more if need b
: realize that winter is coming on, ar
that longer idleness would entail muc
Z, hardship on you. We must, howeve
= not weaken and must gain better CO
II ditions from the packers"
?. The remarks were considered 81
o nificant in view of the referendum vo
y taken on Saturday by the New Yol
s. butchers, in which they decided to ,
a back to work.