The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-09
THE GOULD LINES.

West to arrange the difficulties there.
THE GOULD LINES.
vice-President Hoxie States the Case in Tenn
perate and Dignified Language.
ST. LOUIS, March 8.-Mr H. M. Hoxe, first
vice president of the Missouri Pacific Railroad
Company, furnishes the Associated Press with
the following statement regarding the strike now
existing on that companys road. 1t is ad-
dressed:
ITO the Employees of the Missouri Pacific Railway
Company on Leased and Operated Lines:
"That all may understand the present condi-
tion of affairs, whereby some 10, 600 men have
been thrown out Of employment, the operation
| of about 5000 miles of railway stopped and the
| traffic of four States, affecting over 1900, 600
people, partially paralyzed, desire you to read
| and carefully consider the following facts, for
| which abundant evidence can be produced, and
| which cannot be controverted:
son the 10th of March, 1885, the strike then
| pending over this entire system settled by
| the voluntary mediation of the executives of
| Kansas and Missouri, and a circular issued
| which was sufficiently satisfactory to cause an
entire resumption of work. During the sixty
| days subsequent to the above date committees
| representing the employees at different points,
| and also the various labor organizations to
| which they belonged, were met and all grev-
| ances candidly discussed. Satisfactory agree
49, 1885. it seemed that perfect harmony existed
between us all as colaborers of these companies.
Any infractions of the spirit or letter of the
understandings or agreements made between
the company and It's employees were recti-
fed as soon as brought to the attention of the
proper authorities. This apparent harmony and
good understanding continued until the Septem-
Der following, when this company was notified
by the Knights of Labor that it must not per-
form any work for or interchange any business
with the Wabash railway, with which that or
ganization had difficulties pending The execu-
tive committee of the Knights Of Labor stated
at that time that no cause of grievance of any
nature existed against the Missouri Pacific rail
way and its associated companies, but that to
force the Wabash, which was in the hands of the
United States Court, it became necessary to ip-
volve the Missouri Pacific railway on account of
the supposed identity of the stockholders inter
ests. In order that there might be no possible
cause for destroying the good feeling then exist
ing between this company and it's employees the
order above referred to was acquiesced in until
the Wabash difficulties were adjusted.
''On Dec. 16 1880, the United States Court
took possession of the Texas e. Pacific railway
in Louisiana and Texas for the benefit of it's
creditors, and from that date the severance of
that railway from this system has been as COM
plete as if no amcable relations had ever exist
ed between it and these companies. The en-
ployes working upon the Texas q Pacific railway
became the employees of the agents of the United
States Court, and the Missouri Pacific manage
ment ceased to have any control oyer them.
Messrs Brown and Sheldon, the receivers took
possession of the Texas g. Pacific railway, ap-
pointed their own agents, and made such ar
ran ngements with their employees they deemed
proper and fit, as to which the management of
the Missouri Pacific railway exercised no voice
or control whatever.
sit is learned that on March the employees of
the Texas &5 Pacific railway inaugurated a
strike giving as the reason that one G. A. Hall,
of the car department of that road, in Marshall,
Tex, was discharged without due cause. On
Thursday, the 4th inst, the Knights of Labor
ordered boycott on the Texas g. Pacific cars
and traffic over those roads, and such arrange.
ments were thereupon made as not to permit
that order to disturb the apparently pleasant
lations with our employees. At 10 A. NJ. on Satur-
day, without previous notice, all of the shop
men, most of the yardmen, and many of the
| trackmen stopped their work and voluntarily re-
fused to continue as employees Of
this company, merely stating to their
several foremen that they had received
orders requiring this from the executive officers
of the Knights of Labor, and alleging as their
only reason, the discharge of an employe by the
receivers of the Texas & Pacific railway, an
alien road in the hands of the United States
Court. Since the commencement of the strike
at many points the local committees of the
knights of Labor have notified our foremen and
! superintendents that they would appoint and
place their own watchmen over our property to
protect it from loss and damage, and to take care
of the me- but as these self-appointed watch
men assume the authority as to who shall or
shall not enter upon the grounds or property of
the company except through their own order it
is virtually dspossessng the company of it's
property, and assuming control and possession
of the same, in violation of all rights of property,
and contrary to the very basis of ali govern
mentS.
ssThis company has for years had satisfactory
understandings and agreements with certain
labor organizations, which have, in every in
stance, com piled with their promises, aud it has
ALWAYS been the object and aim of the manage
ment to comply fully with both the spirit and
the letter of all such understandings and agree
ments. would call your attention to the fol-
lowing conclusions from the above history of the
past year:
sThis company has made no objections to the
existence of organizations and combinations of
employees which the latter consider for their
| mutual benefit
"It has recognized and met the committees of
such organizations, and made agreements with
the same, without any distinction, and carried
them out as exactly possible, promptly ad-
justing all complaints and differences which have.
from time TO time, arisen. When loyal en-
ployes permit themselves to be governed and
controlled by discontented colaborers they