The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-06
what Foreman Hall Says.


when the trouble seemed imminent,
II might have been avoided"
what Foreman Hall Says.
DALLAS, TEX, April 5.-Among the
men In humble Circumstances who
have been thrust into sudden noto-
Tiety by the strike on the Gould South
western system is Charles A. Hall, the
former foreman OF the passenger-car
repair shops OF the Texas Pacific raj
road ct Marshall. 1t was he whose
discharge from the service of the Texas
Pacific railroad precipitated the pres
emit labor revolt on the Southwestern
railroad. A year AGO Mr.. Hall was
active 10 the first great strike on the
Gould Southwestern system, when
the men won an increase OF wsges
and better terms generally in their
relations with the railroad. These
benefits were secured through the
Knights OF Labor. Hall at that time
was quite conspicuous in the local
management OF the strike at Marshall.
although he was only an ordinary
workman Ia the paxenger-car repair
shop. A few months alter the settle
ment OF that strike he was promoted
TO the foremanship OF the shop. He
was discharged on February l4th.
81 have every Tea3on to believe"
said Mr.. Hall few days ago, that
/ was promoted to the foTsmanfhip,
becaufe at that time l was the mos.
competent person at hand TO take
charge OF the shop. / was constantly
impressed, however, with the fact that
the railroad had a grudge against me
on account Of my activity in thesirike,
and early this year felt cure that the
officials w5re only waiting a pIetext
to discharge me and put in my place
some one who WAS not a knight OF
Labor. Mr.. Wheelock, one OF the
offici ale under the receivers, indicated
as much day CT two ago when, in
speaking Of my case, he said: The
case OF Ba was a particularly agra
waited one. He made himself obnox.
ioUs in the trouble Of year ago, and
We ouly took him back for the sake oil
peace. Hoping 10 encourage him and
secure his good will for the company
we promoted him TO be foreman OF
the car repair shop. But he proved
more troublesome than ever, and be-
sides he was incompt tent This shows
that there WAS grudge against me
end that the company was watching
me, and only waiting for soma pretext
TO turn me adrift. When, therefore,
| ate nded the Knights OF Labor meet
ing OF my assembly, Mr.. Crosbie, the
general shop foreman, who is bitter
opponent OF the order, was the instru.
ment they used TO bring on this entire
trouble by dischaTging me, on the al.
legation that was absent three days
without leave, although l can prove
by good men that / had Orosbie's per.
mission to be gone one, two or three
days, ss circumstances would require
/ told Mr.. Crosbie further, that II there
was any objection to my being absent
/ would not 20 and he said, That's al
right II was direct answer to my
question, and was the only kind o.
permission anybody got for leave o.
absence, verbal consent. No one re
ceived written permission, and as my
abJence was only to attend a meeting
in my own town, verbal permission
was all that l deemed necessary.
had been of dozen times, and tina
was the only form of permission haC
ever received. Altar my discharge Tho
Knights did all they could to have mt
reinststed, but without avail. Tit
higher officials were appealed to, anC
they would do nothing. They refused
to recognize the Knights of Labor a.
an organization that had a right to try
to secure the Just treatment of ii
members. After the Knights had ex
bausted all possible efforts TO arbitra
ton, the strike came. No one regrets
ii more than ! do, because OF the los
and trouble the mon who are out have
sustained and the inconvenience thu
business public have experienced
But the strike was right and founded
on justice and on the broadcast OF prin
ciples. After Crosbie had positively
refused any concession whatever il
the premises, he and met, and refer
ring to the matter he remarked: 'ThI
men in the shop are not afraid OF you
and / want q man over them they will
be afraid of to which | replied: No
thank God, they are not afraid Of me
aud l hope you viii. have to hunt {
| long while before you find a mar
whom they will fear This was my
last talk with Mr.. CTosbie."
Mr.. Hall has many aympathizeIs il
Texas. He is not a pts.iferous agi
tator, and was only helpless instra
ment in bringing to head the ques
ton st issue between the Knights anC
the railroad Companies. The Knight
here ss ert that the discharge OF Hal
was only an incident in the studied
policy OF the railroads to crush GU
all semblance OF organization amoni
their employees, but the matters hat
reached such pass that nothing NOR
than an incident like this was needeC
to produce an open rupture.
Gov. Ireland arrived here this morn
ing from the capital OF the State, ant
has been in consultation all the morn
ing with the railway officials and tn
military commanders. When tn
Governors train stopped at Waco OF
Its way here last night, several striker
mounted the engine and killed il
Another engine was procured and tn
train arrived this morning withou
further hinderance. Gov. Irelant
said that he was determined that tn
lawlessness which has prevailed her
must cease, and that the railroad off
Cials must be permitted to run thei
trains even II It required the assist
ance Of every man in the State abl
to bear arms TO aid in accomplishin
this end.