My friends, it is solidarity of labor we want.
We do not want to find fault with each other,
but to solidify our forces and say to each other:
"We must be together; our masters are joined together
and we must do the same thing."
-Mother Jones
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Saturday June 24, 1905
Chicago, Illinois - Possible Settlement in Sight for Teamsters Strike
Today Hellraisers offers an update on the Chicago Teamsters Strike. The strike appears to be weakening and efforts to settle the strike are underway. We take most of our coverage from the Rock Island Argus of Rock Island, Illinois. But first, we will take a look at an article from the Chicago Broad Ax of June 17th:
CHIEF O'NEILL AND THE COLORED POLICEMEN.
As the great teamsters' strike seems to be drawing to a close, it may not be out of place to note that Francis O'Neill, Chief of the Chicago Police force was one man who could not be swayed by the tin-horn politicians-their lackeys, and who absolutely refused to bow down in front of the altar of race prejudice.
For throughout the teamsters' strike in spite of bull-dozing, brow-beating and much bluffing on the part of certain individuals high up in the affairs of this city, Chief O'Neill could not be moved and he firmly adhered to his first or original idea of selecting colored men to serve as special policemen, and the result is that between five and six hundred colored men are serving as special police officers at the present time, and with few exceptions they are rendering better service than any other class of men sworn in.
Chief O'Neill realizes the fact that some bad colored men as well as some very bad white men have been sworn in to do police duty who are utterly unfit to service in that capacity. But he is fair-minded enough not to blame nor hold all colored people responsible for the contemptible conduct on the part of some of the tough characters belonging to the Afro-American race.
It can be truthfully said to the credit of Chief O'Neill that he is unlike Sheriff Thomas E. Barrett. For when the representatives of The Chicago American and a few other big fellows whispered in Sheriff Barrett's ears against selecting colored men to serve as deputy sheriffs he weakened and declared that "He wold not appoint any colored deputy sheriffs, that in case he did, race riots would break out, human blood would flow through the streets and the "niggers" would all be killed," or words to that effect.
But it was not so with the sturdy and courageous Chief of Police of Chicago, who boldly declared that as long as colored men were full fledged American citizens, they had the undisputed right like any other class of citizens to serve as extra or permanent policemen and when the lumber merchants protested to him against sending colored policemen into the lumber district the Chief plainly intimated to them that they had no right to dictate to the city as to the color or the nationality of the men it selected to guard or to protect their property and his plain words cooled them off, and it is no trouble to observe plenty of colored policemen throughout the lumber district.
Chief O'Neill is all right and if Mayor Dunne knows which side his bread is buttered on he will permit him to remain at the head of the Police force of Chicago.
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[Photograph added.]
From the Rock Island Argus of June 15, 1905:
AGENT FOR PEACE
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J. G. Hanrahan, of Firemen in Chicago,
on Strike Business.
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WILL USE HIS INFLUENCE
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Testimony of Driscoll Before Grand Jury
Less Sensational Than Was Expected.
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Emblem of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
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Chicago, June 15.-While apparently there was no surface change in the teamsters' strike today, a powerful agent for peace was at work. Grand Master J. G. Hanrahan [John J. Hannahn], of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen arrived in the city and after a conference with the mayor announced he would use his good offices to settle the strike.
May Have Tip.
Some strike leaders who take kindly to Hanrahan, think he has had an intimation from high railroad officials that it is an opportune moment for the effort.
Driscoll Talks.
Chicago, June 15.-John C. Driscoll, the much desired witness in the bribery probe being conducted by the grand jury in connection with strike troubles in Chicago, appeared before the inquisitors yesterday afternoon and for three hours was subjected to close questioning. The proceedings were kept secret, but it was said that Driscoll did not tell all the startling stories of corruption accredited to him.
Testimony Kept Secret.
At the adjournment of the jury Assistant State's Attorney Fake said that he was well pleased with the results thus far obtained from Driscoll. The latter is to be recalled today and is to be cautioned against making any statement as to what transpired in the jury room or to discuss the nature of his testimony.
Promises Inside History.
Driscoll did not appear at the criminal court building until the state's attorney had threatened to send detectives after him. Before going before the jury Driscoll was in conference with State's Attorney Healy. At this meeting Driscoll agreed to tell what he knew of strikes, their beginning, their causes and their settlements, especially as to methods pursued in settling labor controversies.
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[Photograph added.]
From the Rock Island Argus of June 16, 1905:
BOTH SIDES IMPLICATED
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State's Attorney Says Chicago Will be
Shaken to Foundation
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BY FACTS IN STRIKE
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Claims Proof of Vast Corruption Has Been
Placed Before Grand Jury.
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John C. Driscoll
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Chicago, June 16.-The grand jury room, where witnesses are being examined as to payment of money for settlement of strikes and regarding assaults upon non-union drivers, is still the center of interest in the teamsters strike. Nothing was heard today about peace, and there is no evidence of the strike on the streets. Deliveries of goods in all lines are almost normal.
Promises Sensation.
Chicago, June 16.-The greatest scandal that Chicago has ever seen, according to States's Attorney Healy, is to follow disclosures made yesterday before the grand jury by John C. Driscoll, when the former secretary of the Associated Building Trades and Coal Team Owners' association revealed the entire history of dealings between employers and the union labor leaders, particularly that branch of union labor represented by the Chicago Teamsters' union.
Startling Results Expected.
Healy declared that the bribery and conspiracy charges dropped into comparative insignificance beside the accusations which have been brought to the attention of the grand jury. The state's attorney said:
More serious offenses have been committed than bribery and conspiracy and evidence presented has been of an extremely sensational character. It is very important and will lead to startling results. The names mentioned by the witnesses are those of prominent men on both sides. If I thought there would be no results from this investigation I would call a halt immediately. If necessary all docket cases will be sidetracked because of the great importance I attach to results of the present inquiry.
Had Documentary Evidence.
Driscoll took before the jury yesterday several check books which, together with cancelled checks are expected to prove many charges made by him against business men and labor leaders. It was evident by the appearance of the state's attorney and members of the jury after adjournment that Driscoll had given some very remarkable testimony. The state's attorney, his assistant and several members of the jury were highly agitated and they admitted passively that evidence of the gravest importance had been given but everybody was sworn to secrecy. Driscoll also was much agitated as he left the building. He refused, however, to discuss the nature of his testimony.
Shea Accepted $8,000.
It was learned late last night that one of the statements made by Driscoll to the jury was that President Shea of the teamsters' union accepted $8,000 at the time of the stock yards' strike last summer. This strike began on July 12 and lasted nine weeks. About 26,000 men were thrown out of employment, and millions of dollars were lost by the packers in business and by the men in wages. According to Driscoll's story he went to Shea to see if the teamsters could not be prevented from going out on a sympathetic strike. Shea, is said by Driscoll, to have replied: "It will cost $8,000 to keep them at work."
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[Photograph added.]
From the Rock Island Argus of June 17, 1905:
LABOR MEN WAR ON SHEA
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Trying to Secure Pledges to
Settle Teamsters' Strike.
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ARRANGE A CAUCUS
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Hope to Go Before Joint Council
With Assurance of Success.
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Cornelius Shea, President
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
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Chicago, June 17.-A demand for the settlement of the teamsters' strike is expected to be framed before night at a meeting of the anti-Shea delegates in the Teamsters' joint council.
Leaders Break Away.
Several leaders of drivers are alleged to have broken away from the strike leader, President Shea, and arranged a caucus at which they plan to canvass the situation and secure pledges enough for calling off the strike, and to go before the Teamsters' joint council Monday with the assurance of success.
Strong Case Made Out.
Chicago, June 17.-State's Attorney Healy this afternoon announced as a result of the grand jury investigation of alleged corrupt practices in labor matters the state expects to make a strong case of conspiracy against some of the men intimately connected with the teamsters' strike.
Fatal Shooting.
Frank Davis, aged 17, was shot and probably fatally injured today by a driver of the American Express company's wagon. The driver was attacked by a crowd just before the shooting. After the shooting the mob fled and the driver surrendered.
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[Photograph added.]
From the Rock Island Argus of June 19, 1905:
WANT OLD POSITIONS
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Striking Teamsters Ask Reinstatement,
but Are Refused.
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EMPLOYERS TO CONFER
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Peace Party Among Men Expect to
Carry Tonight's Meeting.
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Patrol Wagons Guard Trucks
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Chicago, June 19.-A pronounced break in the ranks of the strikers occurred today, when a large number of striking teamsters applied individually for their former positions without waiting for the strike to be formally declared off. This was especially true of the lumber yards.
None Taken Back.
None of the teamsters who applied for reinstatement were given employment, as the employers stated they wished to consult other members of the Employers' association before giving answer.
The "peace party" of the striking teamsters was busy today outlining plans for forcing an end of the strike. Tonight the "steering committee," appointed Saturday at the meeting of the anti-Shea and anti-strike element, will endeavor to carry its point in the teamsters' joint council meeting, even if it has to keep the deliberations in progress all night.
All Called Out.
Calls have been sent to command a full attendance at the joint council, and there are many who predict that a way for peace in the industrial situation will be paved at tonight's session.
Want It Referred.
Beebe, head of the "steering committee," will lead the fight for peace. The first move of the anti-strike teamsters will be to have the whole matter referred to the national executive board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with full power to act. If the steering committee fails to force others in the council to adopt this program, it will essay the task of getting a new council committee with plenary powers.
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[Photograph added.]
From the Rock Island Argus of June 20, 1905:
IS GIVEN POWER
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Committee of Teamsters Authorized by
Joint Council to Settle Strike.
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SHEA WILL NOT OBJECT
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Railroad Express Companies Resume Regular
Deliveries on South Water Street.
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Chicago. June 20.-At a meeting of the teamsters' joint council last night it was decided to appoint a committee to confer with the executive committee of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and decide upon terms to be offered the employers. A meeting between these two committees will be held. President Shea declared that he would not interfere and if the committees bring about a settlement of the strike it will be binding upon the teamsters.
Two More Victims Die.
Two more victims of strike violence died yesterday in the county hospital, making the total since the trouble began 19. The latest were: John Radek, 48 years old; Cleave White.
Resume Regular Deliveries.
Chicago, June 20.-Railroad express companies resumed their long delayed regular deliveries of produce to South Water street merchants today. Commission Wagon drivers made no protest.
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HORRIBLE TORTURE FOR STRIKE BREAKER
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Chicago Nonunion Teamster's Fingers Broken
and Nails Pulled Off.
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Chicago, June 20.-Edward Bickett, a nonunion teamster employed by the National Express company, was subjected to torture early today by four alleged strike sympathizers.
Bickett was attacked in front of the teamsters' union headquarters. After being knocked down by the men, it is said the fingers of his right hand were broken and two finger nails torn off. The victim was found unconscious in the street by a policeman.
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[Photograph added.]
From the Rock Island Argus of June 24, 1905:
ALL OBSTACLES OUT OF THE WAY
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Teamsters and Employers Complete
Preliminaries to Strike Settlement.
-----
Chicago, June 24.-All obstacles which have prevented ending of the teamsters' strike appear to have been eliminated and indications are that unless something unforeseen develops, hostilities will cease within a short time. At a meeting between a committee representing the strikers and J. V. Farwell, for the Employers' association, the question of conspicuous display of the union button, which has been opposed by the employers during the peace negotiations has been settled. This question is to be left with the employers individually, the association agreeing to withdraw its demand for the elimination of the union emblem.
As the button proposition has been the chief stumbling block during the latest efforts to reach a peaceable settlement of the difficulty, it is the general belief that the trouble is drawing to a close, as all other terms of settlement made by the employers have been accepted by the strikers' representatives. The matter will now go before the unions' general committee and then be referred to a referendum. This vote undoubtedly will favor a settlement.
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[Photograph added.]
~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCES
The Broad Ax
(Chicago, Illinois)
-June 17, 1905
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...
Rock Island Argus
(Rock Island, Illinois)
-June 15, 1905
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...
-June 16, 1905
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...
-June 17, 1905
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...
-June 19, 1905
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...
-June 20, 1905
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...
-June 24, 1905
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...
IMAGES
The Broad Ax, Julius F. Taylor,
editor, May 27, 1905
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...
Logo of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
https://en.wikipedia.org/...
John C. Driscoll
http://faculty.maxwell.syr.edu/...
Cornelius P Shea, Harpers Weekly,
June 17, 1905
https://books.google.com/...
Chicago Teamsters Strike, Patrol Wagons Guard Trucks,
Daily Tribune, Apr 9, 1905
http://www.newspapers.com/...
Chicago Teamsters Strike, 1905, guarding scabs
http://teamster.org/...
International Brotherhood of Teamsters,
Charter with AFL
http://teamster.org/...
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, logo
https://en.wikipedia.org/...
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Solidarity Forever
-Angela Kelly & Troy Coman of UAW Local 898/Rawsonville
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