New-York tribune., 1886-03-29
ARBITR4TION AGREED UPON.


Grand Master Powderv gains on the public
The more they see of what he says and does
the more they feel that the great power OF
his socret orpanization is in safe hands so long
as he is at the helm. If he can secure oDe-
diepce there seems every reason to hope that he
will pilot the Knights TO an honorable ending
of their present unfortunate and dangerous
situation.
Mr.. Powderly and Mr.. Gould have agreed upon
arbitration, and the men have been ordered
back to work. This Is a distinct triumph 1or the
former in view of the fact that the Executive
Committee were not able to enforce obedience TO
the pledges given last summer. Mr.. POwderly
is doing his best, no one will deny, to redeem
the organization from the consequences OF inc
disastrous mistake committed by those VINO
ordered the strike in Missouri. 1t was natural
that he should desire, for the credit OF his order
to have its fatal error put out OF sight and out
of mind, 50 that matters could be discussed as II
the organization had never given any pledges,
and as if its Missouri members had never dis
regarded any law. But taking the most favor
able view of the matter that is possible, what
conceivable obligation could Mr.. Gould have
had to arbitrate with the Executive Committee
again With that very committee he had formal
" agreed last August. Part of the compact was
that in future no strike should be ordered on
the Missouri Pacific Railroad until after con-
ference with officers of the company and oppOr-
tunity to adjust any alleged grievances. Yeti Is
not denied that the present strike was ordered
! without conference or opportunity to ADJUST
! grievances. 1t Is now twenty three days
since the Knights of Labor refused to
| allow any trains to be run on the road,
saying "They had no grievances, but were
only striking because they were ordered
! to-" If for twenty three days, knowing that
! the agreement Of last August was constantly
! disregarded, the Executive Committee was un
| able to enforce its authority, can it confidently
| be expected that new compact will be more
easily enforced
Plainly it has become necessary for the
knights of Labor to suppress the rebellion
and lawess outbreak of its own members, II
order to preserve its own existence. 1t cannot
exist without the confidence both Of the men
and of the public. 1t forfcits the confidence o
the public, if it cannot enforce cOmpacts which
| it makes The confidence Of the men newt
! ably vanishes, if it is found that the declared
principles of the order no longer control Its
! action. Not without reason, Grand Master
! POwderly said that this was the most serious
! crisis in the history Of the organization. MOI
will fair-minded men ignore the extraordinary
difficulty Of his position, Great character and
! great power are needed IN such an emergency.
| If he shows the character and the power TO force
the strikers, either into honorable obedience
to the compact or out of the order, and his bear
| ing thus far is most satisfactory and encourag-
ing. he will command measure of confidence
which no leader or organization of labor has
yet attained. We hope he may be able to get
his present order Obeycd. The future OF the
organization depends upon It.