The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-03-26
THEY WILL NOT YIELD.


The Agreement Between Mr.. Hoxie and
the Two Governors Rejected by the
knights of Labor-Their Reasons-han-
sas City Switchmen Organize Sudden
and Unanimous Strike-General Business
Seriously Affected.
ST., LOUIS, March 23.-The basis OF set
Element of the strike on the Missouri Pa
cifc road, as drawn up by Governor Mar
maduke, OF Missouri. and Governor Mar
tin, of Kansas. and accepted by Vice-Presi-
dent Hoxie, was presented Sunday night
to the executive committees of District As
semblies 101, IL and 90 of the Knights of
Labor, and was discussed fully
at sessions in the morning and aft
ternoon. During the continuance of the
session the committees drew up and
adopted a set OF resolutions asserting that
the corporations of the country are acting
in concert to break down the power OF
labor organizations, and thereby ruin the
country; that the refusal Representatives
OF corporations to treat with the repre-
sentatives of labor is a silly subterfuge;
calling on all trades assemblies and labor
organizations in the land to unite in q
demand for recognition OF their representa-
tives and their right to negotiate, treat
and deal with individuals or bodies, as the
case may be, and urging legislators, both
State and National, to enact such meas
ures as will compel the recognition of labor
organizations and trades assemblies and
also to compel corporations to arbitrate
differences between and with themselves
and their employees.
Late last night the committees made
known the result of their labors in the
guise OF a statement to the public After
reviewing the course of the Governors in
the matter they state that the interpos-
ton of the Executives was voluntary on
their part and that they were refused the
privilege of adjusting the differences
between the strikers and the COM
pany, and denounce them for their
action in maintaining that the Mis-
souri, Pacific had not violated it's agree
ment with its employees, saying that it is
not creditable for the Governors to seek
to take advantage of our want of skill in
legislat tive technicalities and wink at gross
violations of sacred agreement III it's
plainly manifest spirit because its technical
letter gives an apparent advantage to a
great corporation"
Further, the committees say that the
Governors, in saying that the Missouri
Pacific Railway Company may justly
claim that the strike of March 6, 1856, re-
lieves it of the obligations it assumed in
the circular of March 10, 1885, have blind
~ ignored the fact that the obligations as
sumed in the circular took effect with
the roads operated and leased by the
Missouri Pacific Railway Company, al
though by. oversight but two roads and
States we're mentioned therein. Evidence
is at hand, say the committees, that strik-
ing employees of that date were, up to the
day OF the strike, still working for less
pay than before the strike of last year,
showing, not a restoration of old pay, but
really reduction, in violation of said cir
cular agreement.
The committee claims to have evidence
that whole gangs of men have been dis
charged, notwithstanding that Mr.. Hoxie
agreed on May 1S, 1885, that rather than
reduce the working force he would reduce
the hours. Every effort to have these men
reinstated was refused by the company on
the ground that they were not covered by
the agreement. The committees then deny
that the agreement of March 5, 1885, has
been violated by the employees as charged
by Mr.. Hoxie and end their statement as
follows:
But why should we say more? If Mr.. Hoxie
did not know that he was guilty of gross
wrong and injustice why would he refuse
to listen to our evidence and hear our ap
peal for redress? Why would he shelter
himself behind subterfuges and technical
tiles? Why would he refuse to treat with
the men he has wronged; and with
evasive letters to Governors who can not pos
sibly enter into the merits of the controversy.
The truth is IMPLY this: Mr.. Hoxie wants
trouble. He has provoked it. He is still in
citing it, and making an innocent public pay
the price of his .pertdy. How long will the
public consent for Gould and Hoxie thus to
rule or ruin? We wait to see.
KANSAS Cry, Mo-, March 23.-At nine
O'Clock yesterday morning the union
switchmen in every railroad yard in the
city quit work and freight business gen.
orally was stopped. The strike was com
plete surprise to the local railroad
officials, as the men had made no
complaints since the recent settle
ment. Business at the stock yards
and elsewhere is almost entirely
suspended Plankinton & Armour dis
charged one-fourth of their men yesterday,
and the great smelling works at Argentine
will be forced to shut down. Lethargy
prevails throughout the freight yards in
the city, and in Kansas City, Kansas,
Armourdale and Argentine.
A Wabash freight train was made uplate
yesterday afternoon. A large crowd was
gathered about as the train prepared to
start. At signal twenty coupling pins
were pulled simultaneously from between
the cars, and the train was effectually
disabled. The movement was so quick
that no one could tell who was RESPONSE
BILE for it. Another effort was made, how
ever, later on, and at eight o'clock the com
pany succeeded in starting out two freights.
There are $50 switchmen out, which en-
forces idleness upon $50 engineers and as
many firemen. The roads involved are the
Chicago & Alton, Rock Island, Wabash,
Missouri Pacific, Hannibal & ST. Joseph,
Kansas City, st. Joseph & Council Bluffs,
the Burlington & Missouri River. Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fee, Union Pacific, and
Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gull. Wholesale
men left their offices as soon as they be-
came aware of the changed aspect and
called on one another, knowing well how it
would affect their business Unfortunately
the yards are packed with freight, five
eighths of which are said to be perishable.
A coal famine is feared. The gas works
have been hauling it's supply of coal from
the Chicago &.Alton, as it has only a Mis-
souri, Pacific switch, and the supply is very
short. Now that this source is cut off, il
the present trouble continues Kansas City
may be left in the dark if coal can not be
procured.
The switchmen state they have struck to
enforce demand for the wages paid
switchmen in Chicago. The demand was
made week ago and q verbal contract
was entered into between the superintend.
ents of the various roads and the Switch.
mems Union. Since then the superintend.
ents have violated the contract hence the
strike.
y An Arbor Day in Connecticut.
HARTFoRD. Conn. March 23.-The Aori.