Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-26
Grand Master Powderly's Notice.

Grand Master Powderly's Notice
The general notice Issued to the KNIGHTS
4 of Labor by Grand Master POwderly 10
avoid using the boycott without due cause
indicates the existence OF feeling among
the leaders of the Knights that there is
/ danger that the Knights Will injure their
/ own cause by meddling with matters
which do not properly concern them. To
a certain extent the Knights can depend
upon public opinion to sustain them, and
it is evident that they can accomplish
nothing at all II they do not have the
support of public opinion. They can,
Of course, make trouble and do a
great deal of damage to business
and industrial interests, but they cannot
carry out their purposes in any respect.
As long as they condne themselves to
legitimate objects, such as securing re-
duction OF the number of hours OF labor
per day where the number is unreasou-
able and oppressive, aud obtaining better
wages in cases where the compensation
is VIGOROUSLY out Of proportion to the
amount and character Of the work per-
formed, their efforts will generally be sue
cessful, but they may expect failure when
they engage in throwing the industrial
and business interests OF the whole c0un-
try into confusion in order to force COM
pliance with demands that are nOto-
riously unfair. They possess very
great power, but If they use that power
in tyrannical and unjust way, and I'M
dertake to dictate who shall and who
shall not be EN- plOyed, or IL they espouse
the petty quarrels and differences. be-
tween EN- DlOyers and individual employees,
they will quickly arouse a power greater
than theirs-the power of public senti-
ment. There is point to which labor
organizations may go with a reasonable
hope of success, but when they 20 be-
yOnd that point they run the risk of losing
all they have gained.
If the boycott and strike were employed
only when they are supported by reason
they could be made very beneficial to
workingmeu. but unfortunately many
are disposed to employ them to force a set
Element to their satisfaction whenever
they have a grievance, although the
grievance may not affect more than one
person.
If we are not mistaken the great strike
on the Missouri Pacific was ordered be-
cause of the refusal OF the Texas Pacific
to reinstate, on the demand OF the knights
OF Labor, discharged employee. The en-
ploye may have been unjustly discharged,
but whether he was or not it is apparent
that when the Knights interfere in such
cases, and use their power to obstruct
and damage the business OF a great sec
ton of country to enforce their decisions
in them. they are doing something which,
II persisted in. will lead to endless trouble
and be productive of disaster and ruin.
1t is true that the management of the
Missouri Pacific refused to confer with
the Knights Of Labor about the discharged
employee OF the Texas Pacific, but the
reason given ought to have been satisfac-
tory. viz, that the Texas Pacific was in
the hands of receiver, and the court had
control of it's afflirs. There was not, as
far as we are informed, any refusal to re-
cOgnize the Knights of Labor.
1t is generally conceded that working
men, or men OF any other class. have a
right to organize and promote their inter-
ests in all lust and reasonable ways. IL
is also conceded that there are employers
principally great cOmpanies-which are
not disposed to deal fairly with their EN-
plOyes, and that labor organizations are
justified in using fair means to secure
reasonable hours OF labor and just COM
pensation from them, but it is not con-
coded that such organizations have a
right to make war on business of all kinds
to effect an object which is often tyran
meal or extortionate.
Already movement has been made in
Congress to establish a tribunal for the
settlement of questions arising between
railroads and their employees. Repre-
sentative Glover, of Missouri, introduced
into the House on Monday bill which
gives railroad companies and their en-
ployes right to call upon a Judge OF a
United States District Court, when either
party has a grievance against the other,
to determine the issue. The Judge is au-
thorized to appoint arbitratOrs, and their
decision has the force OF a Judgment of
court. They cannot fix wages for the
future, however, except by the consent OF
both parties. Out OF this bill may come
something that will open a way for the
settlement of differences between en-
ployers and employees and put an end to
strikes and the boycott.
The Telephone Case.