Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-27
STRIKERS HEAR SPEECHES



saloons, for the sake of economy and pub
lie opinion.
II am hoping thai the unions will not
call on me to start litigation and make
matters worse" declared John o. Yeiser
In addressing the crowd. But I trust that
the strike will be settled, and honestly
settled, Not that you will set what you
want, but be satisfied with what you can
get Then later on add another little to
that. But don't slide back trying to get
more than can be fairly and honestly
given"
Yeiser denounced the desire to avoid rec
o%gnition Of the union by the signing OF a
formal document as fetichism.
c. o. Pratt charged that Mr.. wattles
did not keep his promises to the union
men, referring to the troubles Of four years
past and his visit here at that time. Pratt
also took occasion to deny the charge that
he had abused Wattles and called him
names.
Pratt for Arbitration.
The time for the evasion OF the issues
Of this struggle is past" said Pratt. Ar
b~itration could have settled the differences
which existed and without the strike and
the consequent inconvenience to the peo-
pie. Mr.. Wattles is afraid of arbitration.
The fact that the men are willing to sub
init their demands TO a fair arbitration
board is evidence enough of the honesty
OF their demands"
Pratt repeated his statement Of Saturday
In which he insisted that the strike could
be settled in two hours IL Mr.. WattIes
would stand by, his published statement,
that the only difference existing is in the
demand Of the union that the company
violate agreements with nonunlon men. He
also made a general defense OF the right
OF the mon to organize and in organization
make a contract for their labor.
There Is a state law against the i'm
portation Of armed strike-breakors, yet the
city administration encourages and permits
the bringing OF armed men to man these
cars" aE
Pratt charged that the company wanted
trouble and riots and that II only sought
an excuse to call for the militia. He said
even that the company had asked for the
militia when the strike was but forty
eight hours old. q
At the close of his address Mr.. Pratt
read a series of resolutions signed by
J. L. Davis and John ]. Simpson. These
resolutions demand that unless a settle
ment of the strike be effected in twenty
four hours, an appeal be made to Gov
ernor -Shallenberger to force a restoration
Of street Ger service and the withdrawal
of strike-breakers
Demand U~nguarded Cars.
II was also demanded that the police be
removed from the cars, on the charge
that they are placed there to help the
strike-breakers operate the cars, and that
the city administration withdraw support
OF the street railway company In efforts to
break the strike. The company was de-
nounced for refusing arbitration and the
importation Of strike-breakers.
The crowd declared by aoclamatidn In
favor OF the resolutions.
A strong guard of police and detectives
were on detail at the meeting, but all was
quiet.
At the Union Meeting.
In executive session Sunday night the
striking street car men endorsed the reso-
luton adopted at the mass meeting earlier
In the day and sent a letter to Governor
Shallenberger asking for immediate help
in bringing about peace and a settlement.
1t was also decided that the executive
committee Of the local organization would
meet with c. o. Pratt and Ben
the strike leaders, Monday morning and
discuss the offer Of the company II one
was made by that time. Monday afternoon
at 2 o'clock another secret meeting OF the
whole union will be held to lake action on
the advice Of the executive committee.
About 500 car men and sympathizers met
in the Labor Temple and were addressed
by Ben Commons and c. o. Pratt. Mr..
Pratt made the statement that no action
would be taken on any proposition OF the
company until another union meeting
could be held to discuss It with the men.
The secret session lasted from $3.50 to II
o'clock and was spent for the most part
in discussion Of the proper attitude for the
men to take toward the offers Of the COM
pany.
In response to the published statement
by Mr.. Wattles that the strike leaders
are agitators who are standing in the way
Of a settlement Mr.. Pratt said: Mr.. Com
mons and / would be very glad II Mr..
wattIes would come before the meeting
tomorrow and make his own terms. We
would absent ourselves from the discussion
altogether"