St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-23
road. ASKED abont the Southwestern strika

road. Asked about the Southwestern strike
and the possibility Of its spread he said:
consider the present trouble the result
of put up job to down the knights of Labor,
but they can never do it. We number now
over 100000 in the United States and con-
tro. the action and have the sympathy and
cooperation of as many more. OF the total
vote of the United States 20 per cent. comes
from the working class, but heretofore the
II per cent. has downed us. But the time
has about come where this state of things
will be reversed and our voice will be the
controlling one in legislative halls.
As to the present difficulty it is hard to tell
what the outcome will be. 1t is ross bic
that the judge to whom the question of Halls
discharge has been submitted may be bribed
by the railroad interests who would not stop
ut any amount to carry their point. There
is positive proof that Hall worked for the
company for six years, that he obtained a
leave of absence to attend Knights of
Labor convention and that on his return he
was discharged for that reason only. If the
knights can carry their point in no other
way they will
CALL OUT EVERY KNIGHT
on all the railroads in the country. There is
no secret order but would do similar thing
Let q set of men pitch onto a prominent mem
Der Of the Masonic order for belonging 10 that
society, and you would see how long the order
would stand it, We are all bound by the
principles of our order to stand by Mr.. Hall
discharged for any OthOr reason. such as in
competency or neglect of duty, the case
would be different. 1t may be objected that
general strike would be an injustice
to other roads, but we view it in the hight of
general combination and understanding be-
tween all the railroad corporations of the
country to down the order if possible I
would like to tender u little advice to other
railroad corporations, and that is that they
use their influence during the time to elapse
before general strike is ordered in securing
the reinstatement of Mr.. Hall and the conse-
quent termination of all difficulties, as well as
the saving of untold millions of dollars
The point at issue may seem unimpOrtant
and frivolous to some, but the real point lies
IN the fact that the present struggle is of i'm
mense moment to the interests of the Knights
or Labor and its future power. If we lose
the battle in the present ISSUE we will lose
prestige and roads all over the country will
do as the Texas Pacific has done If we win
in hard struggle the question of our pres
tige and rights will be settled for the
future"
''Yes, sir; in the event of general strike
the order will act together 10 a man. There
is not u road in the United States that will be
able to run in that event. No matter how
great the struggle is we will use every en-
deavor 10 preserve the peace and protect all
railroad property. Committees will every
where be appointed to protect property and
see that mail trains are properly run.
No doubt such an opportunity would be taken
advantag re of by lawless elements to commit
depredatiOns. and the railaOad authorities
themselves would have bridges burnt, etc,
and charge il to US 10 weaken our position
and counteract public sympathy, but we are
LAW AND ORDER
men and will always be found on that side.
Another feature of such movement would
be the cooperation Of the organized farmers
OF the country who would withhold ship
mentS, sell their breadstutfs to US, and give
us full support and encouragement in every
way"
Several railroad officials were also seen YES
terday, and they thought that there was no
design of trouble in the Northwest.
s. 5. Murdoch, railroad commissioners said:
Il think that in the event of any general
movement among the legitimate labor
interests the working farmers will be
found in close sympathy with organized
labor
G. A. Lafayette: II do not think that
such Il move will be made, although they msy
boycott roads doing business with the Gould
system. Martin Irons has no authority TO
order general strike, nor has anybody else
Each district acts for itself in such case
Another prominent member of the order
said: l have no doubt but that the Knights
will be successful in the end. Although each
district is a aw unto itself in the matter of
the strike the bond of sympathy is so great
that all would act together when the time
came. The locomotive engineers, although
Il separate order, are in sympathy with MS
and would come out if asked to do so The
order is so strong on some of the Northwest
on II roads that in the event of strike not a
wheel could turn.