The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-12-04
BY STAFF CORRESPONDENT.

BY STAFF CORRESPONDENCE.
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. "A special
committee of representative men of
this city, for the most part ministers,
are meeting today for the purpose of
making a thorough investigation of
causes leading up to the teamsters
and chauffeurs' strike, which almost
has paralyzed business here An un-
biased investigation, if the vital in
formation can be obtained by the com
mittee, should reveal the following
facts:
First, that the business interests of
Indianapolis, represented by the pow
erful Chamber Of Commerce, Mer-
chants association and Manufacturers
association, have determined to stamp
out the spread of unionism in Indian
apolis at all cost.
Second, that the policy of the busi-
ness interests of mo quarter" to trade
unionism is indorsed thoroughly by
the new Wallace administration, which
is dominated by the business inter
ests.
Strikers are Distrusted.
Third, that the cause of the strik
ing teamsters is handicapped by in
efficient organization and a noticeable
public dstrust in many of the men di-
recting the fight of the strikers for
recognition of their union and living
wages.
Fourth. that public opinion has been
permitted to become distorted because
of the action of two of the leading
newspapers in suppressing important
Information concerning labor condi-
tions in Indianapolis; as a result, the
average citizen now most partisanly
champions the cause of the strikers
or opposes it. Those who can take a
broad unbiased view Of the crisis
which now confronts this city, are few
and hard to find, and, for the most
part, wary of expressing their views.
Gunmen Imported.
Weyler tactics have been adopted
by the police department to keep con
troll of the situation, and it's allies are
hundreds of gunmen imported to
break" the strike These gunner.
who are cooperating with the police,
are, as such, If not more. to blame
for what disorders have occurred, as
the strikers or their sympathizers. the
latter class being great handicap to
the teamsters.
In the ranks of the strikers are
many teamsters of the worst charac-
ter. and it has been difficult for lead
ers to keep them under control They
hard working and deserving men. the
majority of whom have joined the
strike as last resort to secure liV-
ing wages. Their average is S1l. .09
a week. and the statement is made
that fully fifty per cent of them have
had to draw part of their wages in
advance each week, thus precluding
any opportunity for them to save a
part of their wages.
Some Anxious to Work.
Several of the large firms affected
directly by the strike have been pay
ing their teamsters from ST. to $40
a week, living wages, and much more
than the scale demanded by the newly
organized Teamsters Union, and these
men have Joined the strike in a most
unwilling spirit, and are anxious to
return to work, which is another
handicap under which the less for
tunate teamsterS are compelled to
labor.
The firms which have been paying
their teamsters living wages have, for
the most part, signed union contracts
and are highly indignant because the
ban of the union against them has
not been lifted, either ignoring the
fact or being unmindful of it that such
action would at once break the back
bone of the strike.
Unions Favor Strike.
Other trades unions in IndianapO-
lis are heartily in sympathy with the
striking teamsters and are doing their
best to assist them in their fight, and
il would undoubtedly be 10 the best
interests Of the strikers if they per
mitted the Central Labor Union to
direct their campaign instead Of the
organizers who are now at the helm
and who are compensated for their
work on commission basis.
To influence public opinion against
the strikers, much emphasis is given
by business men to the charge that
the strikers are the tools of profes
sional organizers. bur there Is no eyi
dence that the strike leaders are the
INSCRIPTIONS men the unions oppon
ents seek to make them out.
Disorders Cease.
There has not been much disorder
during the strike, especially Wednes
day. but neither the strikers nor the
members of the Vehicle Protective
association appear to be yielding tC
the pressure. and the prospect of q
general strike of all trades loom ON
niously, although the organized work
ers of Indianapolis will never consent
to such action except as a last eX
tfeHlil! 10 VIII tHe HSul LOT jue team
sters, whose cause they realize TO be
as much their own as the strikers, for
the campaign now being waged
against the teamsters by the bust
ness interests is also directed against
the labor movement in general.
If real publicity is ever given tC
the causes entering into the labor wal
now on in indianapolis, the most
damning information which will be
brought TO light against the business
interests of this city. is their attitude
of refusing to recognize that the
strikers hand any justification fol