Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-04-06
HAD A ssUDoE AGAINST HIM.
Foreman Hall Tells Why He was ID
charged by the Railwax nHcy,,s

Foreman Hall Tells Why He was Dis
charged by the Railway Officials.
DALLAS, Tex April 5 Among III q men
who have been thrust into sudden nosoriety
oy the strike on the Gould Southwestern
system is Charles A. Hall, the former fore.
man OF passenger car repair shops of the
Texas and Pacific Railroad at Marshall.
1t was he whose discharge from the service
OF the Texas aRd Pacific Railroad precipi-
tated the present revolt on the South west
ern railroads A year ago Mr.. Hall was
active In the first great strike on the Gould
Southwestern system, when the men won
an increase of wages and better terms
generally In their relation With the railroad
These benefits we're secured through the
Knights of Labor. Hall at that time was
quite conspicuous in the local manage
ment Of the strike at Marshall, although
ne was only an ordinary workman in the
passenger car repair shop A few months
alter the settlement OF that strike he was
promoted to the ioremsnship of the shop.
he was discharged on February IA.
II have every reason to believe" said
Mr.. Hall few days ago, that / was pro-
NOTED to the foremsnship because, at that
time, was the most competent person at
hand - take charge of the shop. 1 was
cofsnntly impressed, however, with the
fact that the railroad had a grudge against
me, on account of my activity ia the strike,
AMI early this year felt sure that the off
elsls were only awaiting pretext to dis.
charge me, and put in my place some one
Who was not Knight of Labor. Mr..
Wheelock, one of the officials under the
Receivers, indicated as much day or two
ago, when, in speaking Of my casa, be
said: The case of Hall was q particu.
larly aggravated one. He made himself
obnoxious in the trouble Of q year ago, and
we only took him back for the sake OF
peace. Hoping to encourage bim, and Sc
cure his good will for the company, wepro.
NOTED him to be foreman of the car repsic
shop. But he proved more troublesome
than ever, and besides he was iDcompe-
tent"
This shows that there was a grudge
sgslnst me, and that the company was
watching me, and only waiting tor some
pretext to turn me adritr. When, there
fore, attended the Knights OF Labor meet
ing of my Assembly, Mr.. Crosbie, the general
shop foreman, who is bitter opponent Of
the order, was the instrument they used 10
bring on this entire trouble by dischsrging
me on the allegation that ] was absent
three days without leave, although ! can
prove by good men tcat | had Crosbie's
permission to be gone one, two or
three dave, a. circumstances would require.
| told Me-. Crosbis further, that ifthere was
any objection to my being absent | would
NOT 90, and he'said: That's sll rigtt."
1t was direct answer to my question, aud
was the only kind of permission snybcdE
received for leave of sbsence--yerbal con-
sent. No one received written permission,
and, as my absence was only to attend
meeting in my town, verbal pertaiRsion
was sll that l deemed necessary. l had
been of a dozen times, and that was the
only form of permission had ever re-
ceived.
After my discharge the knights Of Ls'
Dor did a / they could 10 have me REIN
stated By Mr.. Crosbie, but without avail
The higher officials were appealed to and
hey would do nothing. They refused to
the Knights of Labor as an or
ganizstion that had right to try to secure
! he lust treatment ofits members. After
the Knights had exhausted all possible ct
forts 81 arbitration the strike came, and no
one regrets it more than do, because OF
the loss and trouble he men who are out
have sustained, and the Inconvenience the
business public have experienced. Bat the
strike was right and founded in Justice and
ON the brosdest of principles. After Crosble
had positively refused AGy conces-
sions whatever in the premises,
be aud l net and, referring
70 the matter, be remarked: The men 10
tbs shop are not afraid OF Jou, Gud want
a man over them they will be afraid ot
To which / replied; No, thank God; they
are not afraid of me, and l hope you vii,
have to hunt long while before you hnd
8 man whom they fear This was my las
al - with Mr.. Crosbie."
up pa, -slly, Mr.. Hall has many sym
49, n Texas. He is not q pestiteE-
pns pnsu.o; .g;tstor, OF ana was only helpless IL
strument in bringing to a nea1 tne 9uIs rs
ions At issue between the AElSnts anu 'ne
-S;I-oad -,I companies. The Snigats mere
: asasrt s.lI that the discharge Of Hall vas oniY
-, .1 ;rc;Sent in the studied policy OF tss
-a;Iroads TO crush out all senbisnee OF
or1sniz9tion 1.e smoug their employees, bat
nat matters had reached such q pass t6et
nothing more than an incident hike TINS
was needed 10 produce au open rupture