, 1886-05-04
DECLARED OFF.
The Great Strike on the Gould
System Ended.
All Old Hands Ordered to Re
turn to Work.
The Eight Hour Movement
Strikes and LockOuts
The Great strike Ended.

night MeSsrs, hayes, Dalcy anu hdliS'
the executive board of the Knights Of
Labor, met the congressional committee
informally and the meeting led tot happy
result of the knights declaring the strike
off, explaining in the following cores
pondence
ST.. LOUIS, MAY 3.-To tie General Err
ecutire Board Of the Knights Of Labor
The testimony taken to-day by the con
gressional investigating committee shows
coBclusively hat very serious losses to the
commercial, agricultural and othe. inter
ests OF the entire country have resulted
from the late troubles upon the lines OF
railways belonging to the Southwest sys-
TEN, railroads in the states Of Illinois,
Missouri, Kansas. Arkansas and Texas,
and that by reason of said troubles a large
number of persons not directly connected
herewith have been thrown out of en-
ployment. Unwilling at this time to ex-
press our opinion 10 regard to the causes
which produced this lamentable condition
of affairs, or to indicate where the blame
lies for its continuance, and animated
solely by a desire to render all assistance
in our power in endeavorilg TO restore
peace, individual happiness, and CONNER
cial prosperity to the citizens of the
try and particularly Of the five states
named, we do hereby respectfully but ear
nestly request you as American citizens,
having the welfare of our common country
at heart to advise through the proper Official
channels the discontinuance of the strike
upon the railways hereinbefore mentioned
and to leave the question whether the EN-
ployes or officers of the corporations were
iustifable to the decision that public opin-
ion may form when the congressional
committee which has that matter under
investigation shall have completed It's
work. Feeling assured that a compliance
with this request will meet with favor
from your board and Tor those who may
act in conformity with your counsel and
the appreciation of the people of the
United States, we remain your obedient
servants,
(Signedl A. G. Curtin, w. II. Crane,
James II. Cultivate, A. y. Parker,
James Buchanan, J. w. Stewart.
ST. LOUIS, Mo, May SD Hon. 4.
G. Curtin, W. H. Crane, james H.
Oudpaiie, A. Y. Parksr, Jontes Bu-
chanan, j. f. Stoca,t:-GENTLEMEN-
Your communication of May l was placed
before the joint executive boards and the
following resolutions adopted
Resolved, That the communication
from the congressional committee and
request be granted. The general
executive board. in view of the fact that
the business interests of the country are
suffering, and the Knights of Labor hav-
ing the interests of the whole people at
heart. willingly comply with the request
of the nations representatives and that
of the citizens committee of st. Louii
and declare this strike at an end, to taxi
effect Tuesday morning. May A.
Trusting that this action will meet will
the approval of the public and assist II
bringing capital and labor in closer rela
tionship, we remain very truly yours, the
general executive board of the knights 0
Labor. (Signed) JOHN w. HAYES.
Upon the receipt of the reply by Gov
ernor Curtin. which was received wher
his subcommittee was about to leave 70
Atchison. he t%elegraphed the following t
the president at Washington
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo, May 9Th
strike is ordered off. The correspor
dence will be in the papers to-morro'
morning. Our colleagues are taking tel
! timony in the Southwest. The prcsoI
peaceful settlement will shorten the hou'
of labor. Ooly members Of the COMM
tee are on board the train at this tim
Messrs. Crane, 0uth waite, Parker an
Buchanan having left Sunday morning f
Parsons. Kan and Mr.. Burns has gol
home and will meet the CuItin sub-cor
mittee at ktchison.
The following is a copy Of the order q
claring the strike off:
d OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE RoARD,
ST Louis, May 8
To members of District Assemblies 10.
lOI, and of the General Assembly, al
N non members or persons affected by I
present strike upon the Gould Soul
west system OF railways
IT, GENTLEMEN. On April 2S the cltiz'
10 Of St. Louis requested this board that
d. the interests OF the business community
St. Louis and hat of the United State
ne general. the strike upon the Gould Sou
IN west system of railways be declared ut
1t, end. While this request was under c
Is, sideration MAY ~ by the Joint boards
Is, District Assemblies II, 80
III. l0l, the committee appointed
10 congress to investigate the ca
fl Of trouble between the railway comp
idl and its employees made similar requests
IN The document was fully considered
the following conclusion arrived at
We That the matter be left in the hands
ne the general executive board, they to
-ets the time and declare the strike at an
or We have therefore selected Tuesday m
ing. May 4, 1886. as the time when
strike shall end. You shall make Al
ii l cations to your former employers for
employment on the above date, (Nlay
by order of the general executive DO
(Signed) JoHS W. HAYE