New-York tribune., 1886-03-25
MR.. GoULUS VIEWS on THE STRIKS
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR TO BE SUED.
no SEEK DAMAGES FROM EvERY MEMBER WHO
OWNS PROPERTY.


TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM EVERY MEMBER WHO
owns PROPERTY.
The strike on the Southwestern railroads, and
,he po.sility that might eXtend to other railroads
,ne tho principal topic of oohversaton in Wall Street
,r5,y II was runored that the threats OF the labor
likely to be carried into effect within
shoit tme and that strike might he ordered at any
moment Oh the roads west and southwest OF Chicago
The common opinion Wall Street that the strike
WAS not sensible and that 1t ought TO be defeated
Int the fear also commonly expressed that the
Missouri Pacific Company might submit to conproUise
rather than prolong the contest. Jay Gould, who
returned from his yachting cruise on tuesday
WAS asked yesterday II there was any good
foundation for this apprehension. Mr. Gould replied
with unusual drmuess IN his voice:
There can nc no compromise this and so far
ss know there has been no attempt toward one by
other side. There room for compromise Tor the
srers have confessed in effect that they have no grew
ances again company. am bound to fight this ques
ton to the end for this reason The position Is
a simple one five had interfered with the manage
uent OF the Texas Pacific shoud have been in con-
tempt OF the United cou, which has charge OF
that road. the men on our own lines have MADE no
complaint against u.s. but by striking try to enforce the
demands OF workmen another road not under our
control There be no compromise OF such STRIKE
.I have asked the opinion OF Judge Dillon as to oar
legal rights under such crcu Instances ana MS deoson
IS that duty, not alone our right to prevent e
fionO OF
means lie says that the company has n
clear legal remedy aSainst the members OF the
Knights OF Labor organization in suits Tor
damages and We purpose TO test TINS question:
in the courts We shall sue members OF the orgahH"
ton and in fact the papers in the case are now Oeng
prepared in accordance with in 'Ce DOns opInlon
The correspondence between DI.On sw"yhe anu
myself Will explain this point t5e fullest way Tho
of the association are cOpartners in business
and in second place they therefore responsible
al law as partners under the same circum-
Stances We purpose to recover damages from every
member Of the association who has any property. a
great many employees OF the isso1ri Pacific especially
Iaachinists and engineers, have homes which they
have bought out OF their savings. Some OF
the worth $4,000 or SZO0Vo
apiece. They are responsible to us for the
Losses we suffered they belong TO the Knights OF
Labor. We will show them that intend to enforce
all our legal rights. And shall bring suits against
members Of the order property other lines
OF railroads and in other states. We shall attempt TO
recover damages from every member Who has properly
that attach. 1t seems to me that industrious
workmen who have saved something from their wages
will hesitate remain in association in which
secret uuta may at any sacrifice the fruits OF
their labor The fact s hiuk that the leaders IN thls
movement are who came to the United States be-
they forced leave their native countries
for good. Intelligent American woTkmen VIII see
they lose their homes the risk OF being ruled by ad
yenturers subsist their is time that
these things should be settled and this is favorable
There i another the and that is tnat
every shipper and manufacturer 2nu IN iacS every
Same legal redress the railroad company has am
satisfied that every who eau SHOW that he has been
damaged by this strike obtain Judgment against any
member OF the Knights OF Labor organization
Nj Gould said that the position taken by Nice,Ptes
dent Hoxie in regard to the strike had been fully ap
proved by the Board OF Directors Of the Missouri raenc INC
rights of the company must De mantaneG- atS
Or succeeded
all confidence throughout the world. No one would
Enterprises, if he was iabis at any moment to
have the control Of his property wreted from him at the
rspriee of an irresponsible body Ine workmen OF hls
country would be the first to feel the disastrous conse
uusuces Of such lack Of confidence They would lOse
most when they had apparently won the greatest sue
cess -, .,,., ,,.,,.,..,.
railroads.. The strikers are supported by their
injnncou against payment further contributions
There no reason why such process should not be Is
Mr. Gould has derived great benefit from his long
tion and apparently perfect health He said that
he had enjoyed the trip than other he had ever
taken The correspondence To when lie referred lh
hls conversation is as follows:
MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPAyY,l
Dillon ( swAYNE General solicitors
GENTLENEN: secret organization known as the
mghts Of Labor have for than two weeks 10y con
papy SfoI from iD'' operating its road to such an
extent that for that period tie company has
been unable TO any freight trains or do any repairs
to locomotives For example. this morning when
endeavOr made 60 st,rt freight train from 81
Louis. west force mJb Of about 500 men assem-
bel aud violently prevented it. am instructed by the
eOmpanys directors 20 inquire OF yOd what our legal
ights an2 duties in the premises and particularly II
t organization and the members OF IL are Liable to the
for damages which ii has suffered by their pre-
venting IL from operating its road
Yours truly, JAY GOULD, PRESIDENT
NEw-YoRK, March 80, 1SS6.
n JAI GOULD, Esq, President DC.
DEAR SIR: Your letter stales case OF illegal con-
spracy and combination against the company, accom-
panied with violence and force preventing II from dis
charging its public duties and mcting II and the
community serious pecunary damages II is the duty
of your company TO all lawful meaus in its power
ihis end The law is well settled that when an un-
lawful end is sought to be effected all per
vino, actuated by common pur-
posA, together in any way in fur-
theraDce Of such ends cOnspirators and
wron gdOers and each is liable for the OF all The
body which directs the Illegal acts. well all persons
who aid, abe counsel assist in furthering their
COIDpshment, equally liable, ami each is liable TO
extent or the whole aggregate damage; and all or
any be sued therefor and in the civil suit
~ no wise affects the criminal liability. Very truly
yours, DILLON SwAfNE. general solicitors.
NEARLY FRIGHTENED TO DEATH.