Chicago stood on the edge of a wider labor conflict in the spring of 1905 as striking teamsters, determined employers, imported strikebreakers, and hundreds of police crowded the city’s streets.
Labor leaders promised Mayor Edward Dunne that they would try to prevent further violence while negotiations continued. Employers, however, showed no sign of backing down, and hundreds of replacement workers arrived from St. Louis under police protection.
With disturbances already being reported and the possibility of other trades joining the walkout, the mayor issued a blunt warning: if the strike spread, he would call out the troops to preserve order.
If Chicago Strike Spreads Mayor Will Call Out Troops
CHICAGO, Illinois. — Whether the strike will spread to all the trades in Chicago or enter upon a stage of peaceful negotiation for a settlement is the question that is hanging in the balance today.
The coming of President Gompers and the executive board of the teamsters’ brotherhood is looked upon as favorable to peace methods on the part of the teamsters.
On the other hand, the importation of more strike breakers today with the uncompromising attitude of the employers give the situation a more unpromising aspect.
President Shea and President Dold and Joseph O’Neill, representing the freight handlers, and other labor leaders had a conference with Mayor Dunne this morning. It is said the mayor asked the labor leaders not to spread the strike and to use every effort to prevent further disturbance pending the mayor’s effort in bringing about arbitration through the medium of council committees. The labor men promised the mayor that they would use their utmost authority to keep the situation peaceful, but insisted that the employers should take no steps tending to incite the teamsters to radical action. They also agreed to submit their side of the controversy to a council arbitration committee, which will meet today to investigate the conditions and endeavor to effect a settlement.
Several hundred strike breakers arrived from St. Louis this morning. Two hundred additional policemen were detailed to guard the wagons to be sent out today. Several cases of minor disturbances were reported this morning.
The mayor informed the strike leaders that a spread of the strike would immediately lead to the calling out of troops. He told them he was determined to preserve peace at all events.
A committee of liverymen called on the mayor and complained that cabdrivers in their employ refused to carry passengers on strike-bound streets. The mayor promised to revoke the license of any cabman who refused. It is their duty to the public.
Judge Kohlsaat this morning continued the fight of the injunction cases against the labor men until hearing of testimony before Master in Chancery Sherman was concluded. The taking of testimony was continued today.
Source: The Spokane Press. Spokane, Wash. May 16, 1905.
