Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-22
Chicago Strikers Block
All Attempts at Peace.
BaIk at Decision Not to Take
Back Express Drivers.
Building Trades Will Be Involved, Today,
and That Means Troops.

Chicago, May 21.-Sunday brought
no change in the attitude of either side
to the labor controversy now in pro-
sress in Chicago and everything, to-
might, points to an extension of the
teamsters' strike during the coming
Week. Officers of the seven express
companies whose refusal to reinstate
any of their former employees caused
trouble, last night. still adhere to thei,
determination not to give employment
to any of their former employees, and
the other firms involved in the diff
Guilty. tonight. declared that they
would stand by the express companies
in the fight. The Transfers Union
mas taken just as firm stand rs the
employers, and it was said by Presi-
dent Shea. tonight. that the union
would not call off the strike until the
express companies came TO terms.
The first spread of the strike is ex-
pected to come. tomorrow morning
when the I.umbermen's Association. an
organization employing 2400 transfers
issues an order to their men to make
deliveries to all business houses re-
gardleeSs whether they were involved
in the strike. In anticipation of such
an order. the transfers met this ar
ternOOn, and voted to so on strike
should any teamstcr he discharged for
refusing to obey the order of the Lum-
bermen's Association.
With nOn-union drivers making de-
liverieS for the mmbermen. the strike
will undoubtedly spread to affiliated
Industries, as the union men employed
on buildings will refuse to handle ma
tehial delivered by non-uniOn Labor
Should this lunbornions strike be call
ed. tomorrow. ard there is nothing. to-
night, that would indicate how it can
be avoided. there seems to be nothing
that can prevent a general industrial
upheaval throughout Chicago
Levy Mayer. chief counsel for the
Employers Association. gave out +
statement. today. in which he said:
THE employers propose to do bust
ness and will continue to invoke every
legal avenue from the protection Of
their men and property. That the en-
ployers are right in the attitude they
have assumed in the controversy was
demonstrated by the fact that every
was agreed to by Shea and his COM
nittee. Notwithstanding this, howev
er, Shea now insists that the express
companies shall be boycotted by us in
order to bring about a settlement Of
the strike. This we will never io and
even if we We're willing to comply with
the demands of Shea. to take such ac-
ton would he a crime which no law
abiding person could countenance. The
teamsters struck against the express
companies in violation of the letter of
their agreement, despite the fact that
the men We're told that if they struck
they would not be re-employed.
THE Employers Association to Il
man believes that the seven express
companies are justified in the stand
they have taken, and our organization
will use every endeavor to assist tho
express companies in maintaining tho
decision they have reached. OF course,
this decision means that there will be
no settlement of the strike unless the
union withdraws its demand: but it is
the only thing left for us to do
AlonZo Wygant. general agent Of the
United States Express Co. said. to-
night. that so far as a settlement OF
the strike was concerned the only way
that it could be ended would be for
the transfers to surrender.
Mayor Edward r. Dunno and Sheriff
Thomas f. Barrett spent the day in
trying to ascertain what would be the
spread of the strike. tomorrow. Dur
ing the afternoon. conference was
held in the mayors office. President
Samuel GOmpers of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor was invited to attend
the meeting. After talking over the
situation with Mayor Dunno and Sher-
if Barrett, Mr.. GOmperS withdrew
from the conference to have consul
tation with President Shea Of the
Transfers Union.
Mayor Dunno and Sheriff Barrett
asked me to use my influence and to
do everything | possibly could to pre-
vent the extension of the strike" said
Mr.. Gompers. Il told them l was will
ing to do everything could in an ad-
visory capacity to bring about peace"
At the end of the conference Mayor
Dunno said:
strike with resumption of the riOting
Of two weeks ago. there is probab-
bility that troops will be called to
maintain order"
Sheriff Barrett said. tonight. he
would continue swearing in deputies.
tomorrow, and would make special eff
forts to increase the number.