New-York tribune., 1886-04-01
THE ORIGIN OF THE GREAT STRIKE.


DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE STORY TOLD BY Dis
CHARGED FOREMAN AND HIS SUPERIOR
The GdirestOn Daiiy Neus on March 27 gave
over three columns the explanations OF the origin OF
the great railroad strike The substance OF the story is
az follows: The discharge from the employ
OF the Texas and Pacific Railroad Of Charles
A. Hall, a foreman in the freight car re-
pair shop at Marshall. Tex. and the refusal OF
the company rcinstate him. the first cause OF the
strike Tie reason given for Hairs discharge on Febru-
airy II that he had been absent from duty without
leave o absence In long talk with alall The Ncws
correspondent gives his side of the case In detail lie
had been in the employ OF the Texas and Pacific Rail
way for four years. AMI member or the Knights OF
Labor March II. 1885. having been one OF the
charter members of the local assembly at Marshall He
took active part In the strike of 1881 being at that
time mechanic, but was taken back in the employ OF
the company with the rest OF the strikers and short
time afterward was appointed to the position from
which he discharged. .
meeting of District Assembly 1Ol. to which Iiairs
local attached and To which he WAS delegate was
to be beld on February 1o ana according 70 han
story he applied to j. A CrOsbie the general foreman
OF the car shops his Immediate superior for eave 1i an
to attend the meeting stating that Ne would De
absent for two or three days. but would De ID the shop
for compile of hours the morning and evening every
day The leave OF absence was granted After the ad-
jorument of the Assembly on the h nan TOOK several
OF the delegates through the shops by pcrmIsson When
he went to his desk he found note from Mr. Crosbe
telling him that his services were no longer required
He Mr. CrOsjie and was told that ne was as
charged because he had been absent without leave OF
absence and because man WAS needed III the position
of foreman of Whom the men afraid. The matter
was laid before the local executive committee and that
body sent note A. ii. Watts the master mechanic or
the road asking the for Halls discharge and re-
auestng his Reinstatement No satisfactory answer was
gwen and tho District Executive Board then took the
matter hand, they were equally unable 10 get
any satisfaction the strike ordered Inc statement
OF Mr. Hall is supported by letters and aildavts.
The other side the story told by MI. CrOsDe lie
says that Saturday February l3. Hall asked for
leave of absence for couple of hours Monday which
granted. He again spoke to MIN on sunday about
IT, and derstandng that II was the same request ne
told him it all right Hall absent for the best
part OF three days and important work had TO wait IN
consequences On his return he was discharged. Com
mttees called him in regard to the matter and qGes
toned him. He informed the committee that Hall mad
been discharged absence without leave and lnc0n
potency. Hall competent as his predecessors
had BEEN and the books OF the company showed H. MT
Watts the master mechanic, said We had been giving
in to the Knights for six months, and tho more we
Welded the more arrogant they became We were right
in the discharge Of Hall and did not propose TO make any
concessions"