River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-08-04
CABINET CONFERS
ON BEEF STRIKE
DISCUSSES SITUATION IN CHICA-
GO AND ELSEWHERE.
RECOGNIZES ITS GRAVITY
Decides, However, That Federal In
reference Is Not Justified
President Will Keep
His Hands OFF.

Washington, Aug. 1.-The Chicago
stock yards strike has not attained the
magnitude of a national emergency,
and the president will not interfere un-
der existing conditions. This conclu-
sion was arrived at after serious cab
met conference, at which the labor sit
uation of the entire country was re-
viewed with the greatest care and in
the light of the most accurate informa-
ton obtainable There were present at
the conference Attorney General
Moody, Secretary of the Navy Paul
Morton, Secretary Metcalf, Senator's
Cullom and Hopkins, and Commission
er of Labor Carroll d. Wright. The
suggestion was made that the president
might act in the beef strike on much
the same lines as he did in the anthra-
cite coal strike by calling together both
sides to the controversy and then ap-
pointing board of arbitration.
Not Same as Coal Strike.
Considering the beef strike from all
sides the conclusion was reached that
no parallel existed between it and the
coal strike. In the coal trouble the
industries of the nation were paral-
lied and the effect Of the strike was
felt over wide area. In the stock
yards strike the trouble for the present
is largely localized, the supply of meat
is not cut off entirely and no great suf-
fering has been caused to any except
actual parties to the fight. In view of
these considerations it may be said that,
while the. president regrets that there
is a strike in Chicago and in other
packing centers, there is a strong dis
position on his part not to interfere
in any way.
President Avoids Tanglement.
In order that the chief executive may
be absolutely noncommittal as to the
situation and to prevent either side in
the strike drawing wrong conclusions
it was understood among those in the
conference that nothing would be made
public as to what had transpired at the
meeting. No appeal for interference
has been received from the strikers or
from any concerned in the trouble. If
an appeal is made it will be considered
and until it does come there will be
no official utterance in anticipation of
its arrival.
The labor situations at Fall River, at
Ziegler, ILL.,, and in Colorado were In
Guided in the discussion, during which
it was decided to keep hands off of all
labor troubles as long as it was evident
that the local and state authorities
we're equal to the task of handling
them.
Prepare for Long Struggle.
Chicago, Aug. Arrangements were
made by labor leaders at the stock
yards for a long struggle with the
packers. Next Tuesday will mark the
beginning of the fourth week of the
strike A strike committee, consisting
of representatives Of the butcher work
men, Chicago Federation of Labor and
each of the % allied trades engaged
in the sympathetic strike, was appoint
ed to conduct the struggle. Five relief
stations are doing business. The pack
ers admit the end of the strike is not
in sight, but they believe there will be
break within ten days.
International President Donnelly OF
the butcher workmen left for Omaha
Saturday night. He will also visit
Kansas City and East st. Louis before
returning. He has with him checks for
thousands of dollars to establish relief
stations wherever needed. Before leav-
ing he said the packers were in a bad
way and that the strikers were sure
to win.
Strike Breakers Desert.
Three hundred nonunion men en-
ployed at the stock yards marched out
in body under guard of a committee
appointed by President Donnelly, of
the butchers. During the day the pack
ers hired 900 more nonunion men.
Strike leaders asked Sheriff Barrett
to intercede, but were told that so long
as the police are able to handle the.
situation there will be no interference
from the sheriff's office.
No Appeal to Roosevelt.
During Saturday afternoon there was
an attempt to induce President Donnel-
ly to appeal to President Roosevelt TO
offer his good Offices Mr.. Donnelly
refused to consider the proposition
eve are winning The strike and need
no help from the president" said Pres
ident Donnelly. There may be some
assertions from our ranks, but they are
comparatively few and do not hurt our
cause to any material extent. All talk
about the strikers being on the verge
Of starvation Is nonsense. We are pre-
pared to carry on the strike indefinite
ly. We have stations well equipped to
supply all Of our men with food, and
the distribution will be increased as the,