The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-02-24
A STRIKE TWICE WON
Notes From the Diary Of a Labor
Agitator.
FIGHT ON GREAT NORTHERN.

| Hill and American Railway Union.
For just one night I was genera
manager Of great railroad, though
never received any salary for the sery
ice / rendered In that capacity, write
Eugene VI Debs in the Saturday Spec
tator.
The strike on the Great Northern
extending from ST. Paul to the coast
was settled ON the evening Of May !
1894 1t was complete victory TO
the A. Il. U.
President James ]. Hill and hat
shaken hands and declared the hatche
buried. He said he was glad it wal
over and assured me that he had nt
feeling OF resentment AS we stood
chatting in his Office be said:
by the way, Debs, you'll have to b.
my general manager tonight, for thu
men won't go to work except upor
/ your orders"
said, "All right, sir; I'll guarante,
that by morning the trains will all b.
running on schedule time"
He seemed to be nettled, and | die
not blame him when he said:
How about my wages? /, too, ar
an employee Of the Great Northern
railway. And since everybody gets q
raise, where do come in?"
He laughed heartily when / answer
cd, "Join the American Railway union
and we'n see that you get square
DEAL
And then assumed the duties OF
general manager. The men all along
the line were extremely suspicious
They had been betrayed before and
were taking no chances. The chief op.
orator sat ut the keys while | dictated
the orders. The messages were soon
speeding over the wires at some
places there was no trouble. AT 9th.
ers 1t was not easy to convince the
men that there was no trickery about
1t and that the orders bearing my sig
nature were genuine.
When left the Great Northern head
quarters all the trains were moving,
the shops. yards and Offices were throb-
bling with activity and everybody was
happy.
1t was not long after this before
President Hin ana some Of our mem
bers wired me as to my Interpretation
Of certain clauses OF the agreement. 1t
was evident that trouble was brewing
again. | went to ST. Paul on the first
train. Our committee was promptly
convened. but Mr.. Hill could not be
found No one knew where he was
1t struck me that delay was dangerous
and that prompt action was necessary.
We ut once summoned Charles A. Pills
bury. the millionaire miller, since de-
ceased, and personal friend Of Mr..
Hill. who had taken an active interest
IN the previous strike and settlement.
Mr.. pillsbury and some Of his asso-
ciates came to the hall
Pillsbury said II the agreement had
been violated he did not know It. He
did not know where Mr.. Hill was and
suggested that we wait patiently until
he returned. He hoped we would not
be rash and that there would be no
trouble. When be took bis seat got
up 'Nr Pillsbury." said !. "if Mr.
Hin Is not here or If there is not some
one here to act for him within thirty
minutes we will tie ~ the Great
Northern from end TO end" The hall
rang with applause. Within fifteen
minutes President Eli was ID the hall
we went into d back room. and In
about thirty minutes more everything
was adjusted and for TIE second time
the Victory Of the A. r u was com
plete
IN the fall Of 1890 I addressed great
political gathering at Duluth, Mimi
The trades union banners were for the
first time In d political procession. II
was red letter day. The crowd was
immense. No hall was large enough,
and il was too chilly for outdoors. Ar.
were male to hold the !
meeting In the old street car stables
The roof was low and there was ample /
room. and this was what we needed. I
Just after | got started some man In I
terrupted Not understanding what he
said, paused and asked him 10 repeat +
his remark II said you're al right.'
he exclaimed. Within a few feet Of (
him lowered fellow who seemed sew
en- feet tall. His eyes blazed daggers f
1t the first party Ias he gfowled, BY
you'd betterw The crowd
,heered, and there was no further in.
corruption that night
An introduction | once received is
good for hearty laugh every time |
'ecal the incident There was intense
prejudice against me. and the Young
nan who had been selected to intro
luce me to the audience concluded he
would try to disarm it. The house was
ahmed This was his first experience.
Ie got along quite well TIN be forgot
IFS lines. Aud then he closed some
What abruptly after this fashion,
Debs is hated by some people because
le has been in strikes. This IS NOT
light It is the law OF nature to de
end yourself Only a coward will re-
use to stand up for his rights. Why.
ven a dog win growl If you try to de-
rive him Of the bone he IS gnawing. a
at will scratch In self defense. a bee
gill sting to protect itself. a goat viii
utt IL you get IN his way. and you all
now what jackass will do If you
donkey with him. Ladies and gentle
zen. this is Debs, who will now ad-
ress you"
BE brought down the house and was
pleased with his first effort
a the bubble platform.