New-York tribune., 1905-05-11
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELTS BUSY DAY IN CHICAGO

ing about noon, he addressed the Merchants
Club on the Importance of big navy and re-
ceived the members of the Hamilton and How
ard clubs and spoke to them briefly. After a
short rest he received delegation representing
the strikers. and tonight he was the guest of
honor at a dinner given by the Iroquois Club,
one of the leading Democratic organizations OF
the West. In his address he reiterated his views
on the railroad rate question, promised hearty
support to Mayor Dunno in his efforts to pre-
serve law and order. and declared that no gov
ernment by either plutocraCy mob should
ever exist in this country. He started for
Washington shortly after midnight.
committee appointed to call on the Presi-
dent and lodge with him protest against the
employment of federal troops in the team
sters' strike received an audience late this
afternoon. The committee consisted of Cor
nelius p. Shea, president of the International
Brotherhood of Transfers; Charles Dold. presi-
dent of the Chicago Federation of Labor: Joseph
O'Neil. vice president OF the Chicago Federation
of Labor; T. P. Quinn member of the Can
vassers' Union and T. Rickert, president Of the
Garment Workers International Union. The
members of the committee, President Roosevelt
and Secretary Loeb were the only persons at the
conference. The following account Of what
passed in the room was given out by Secretary
Loeb:
After presenting the protest to the President.
Mr. Shea. acting as spokesman said:
sTe here as cqm%lttse ] to present you
between the Employers Association and the Team
sters ass Association citation We have understood that they
We want to present our position to you.
Mr. Quinn said;
1t will take about ten minutes. Perhaps we had
better leave it with yod7
The President said that he would read it at once
and after doing so said:
have read the petition you have presented to
me. the conclusion of which is a request for a
hearing before any action be taken by the fed
eral President relating TO the Chicago strike
situation. AS yet no suggestion of any kind has
come to me from any source that should take
any action OF the marits of the I
wholly ignorant. L have no knowledge of what
the situation is or of what steps should properly
be taken to end IL. I feel. however that in view
of one statement, or series OF statements, in
your letter 1 ought to say this: regret that you
should in the letter have spoken at all OF the use
of the federal army you have there spoken.
No request has been made to me for action by
the federal government, but at the same time,
Mr.. Shea, you have in this communication to
me brought up that fact want to say one thing
with all the emphasis in my power. In uphold
ing law and order in doing what he is able to do
to suppress mob violence in any shape or way
the Mayor Of Chicago Mayor Dunno has my
hearty support. am glad to be able to say TINS
to you, gentlemen, before said it to another
body.
the right or wrong of the points at issue. what
I have TO say is based partly upon what re-
gard the unfortunate phrasing OF letter
presented to the President of the United states.
I have not been called upon to Interfere In any
way, but you must not misunderstand my atu-
tude.
In every effort of Mayor Dunno to prevent
violence by mobs or individuals, to see that the
laws are obeyed, and that order is preserved,
he has the hearty support OF the PRESIDENT OF
the United States and. in my Judgment ne
should have that of every good citizen or the
United States.
to see you and I glad TO have had the
chance to say this to you
Mr. Quinn. who knew the President IN his
youth. said:
Mr. President what prompted us to come i to- to you 4
with this tSTa has Is been 5 lOF Continual howl for
the federal army. l have known you long enough
demand. that YOU win not respond until you have
thoroughly Investigated the case.
The President replied:
Mr. Quinn. as yet the Mayor Of chicago;
has not made any appeal to the Governor, anu anu
therefore, of course, the Governor mas L~naue ~
none to me. and as yet, nothing in the Sltud-
ton has demanded action by me-"
President Shea OF the Teansters Union then
said
Let me explain that. The Governor has been re-
Inand federal troops the statement mas Deeh nlue
in the papers. Immediately telegraphed governor
Deneen that we would allow him 70 appoint = COM
mission Regardless Of that, l want to make our
position known TO you in regard 10 MOP Vlotenge
Every time mob congregates; every act Oh & vIo-
enfg peaGts TO- 0y our derment believe that
We are skilled workmen enough in our paTIc11r5stI 1rt
caRo n that it is to their interest emDov us
Tbere Is nothing at stake but the accomplishment Of
citizen5 Of Cbieag5 who have been forced out OF
their positions Acts of violence meet with the
condenHation of the officials. both local and
national OF our organization Violence does not
meet with the sympathies OF our ors''ilizdtlG{n
preserve the business interests OF CHICAGO realizing
that the prosperity Of our employers Is our
prosperity
The President replied
Mr.. Shea, can only repeat what have said.
I am a believer in unions. l am an honorary
member of one union. But the union must ooty
the law lust as the corporation must obey the
Iav, inst as every man. rich poor must obey
the law AS vet no action has been caIIed ioI
by me- and most certainly II acuoh Is cdl'eu
for | shall try TO do justice under the IA" 20
every man so far as | have power But the /
first essential Is the preservation or law anu or
der the suppression of violence 10y ihoos OF m
dvduals.
This closed the interview, and the committee
withdrew.
THE STRIKERS PROTEST
The memorial presented in behalf Of the strik-
ers follows:
To the Hon Theodore Roosevelt President OF
the United States OF America
Honorable Sir: This labor dlHlcuIty pesaiL s,S, a9
a Incxout So far as there has been any strih-
Inc done II has been a strike for arbitration
S1bc Unions involved are committed, both upon
rri,cir,ia and bv specific contract with the en-
blowers for arbitration.
These contracts grew out OF the desire or the
unions to protect the pubic peace ana WeiIaIe'
nv nroviding to submit all disputes or differ
eTces OF opinion 10 the umpirage of an Impartial
third party. and accepting that declsion-Fight OF
wrong-as binding upon ooth pttrtes suSh a
course IS a guarantee of the preservation or law
and order All that the unions ask for or desire
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