Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-03-27

TIE STRIKE DENOUNCED.

TEE STRIKE DENOUNCED.
In on Interview with P. III. Arthur, Chief
ofthe Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
at Chicago yesterday, he said: Il will not
90 to St. Louis. We hare nothing to do
with the strike and discountenance it. Mr..
Powderly should have ordered the Knights
of Labor back TO work on the Missouri Pa
cifc or have revoked their charters. They
have acknowledged that they had no griev-
ance, and only struck to whip the Texas
& Pacific into line. Ipredct that the strike
will be q failure. The men will break some
where. The Knights of Labor, let me pre-
dict, will go just as the cooper's union, the
miners and the machinists and blacksmiths.
| They are all organized to strike, and strike
means assessment, assessment means death.
Powderly is smart, but he is for Powderly,
and that will lead any organization astray
"Last week the Knights sent committee
to us to get us to Kill the advertisement
which they had boycotted. I threw their
letter in the waste basket and told them to
mind their own business. We do not believe
in boycotts. We have not had strike in
eight years. When we can get conference
| we never strike.
"Now, some OF these organizations are so
badly of for strike that they propose to
strike for eight hours. Idon't believe in the
eight. hour doctrine. An organization ell
gagged in striking for Il reduction Of working
| hours, on the high moral principle that
man should have more time with his family,
when they haven't got the courage 10 turn
a man out if he gets drunk, acts dlshonora-
bly or refuses to pay his debts. Now we
turn man out for any Of these offences,
and we publish his name in our journal,
with the offense detailed at length. Well, l
hold that man should work all he is able
to when he can get work. Two hours less
work means in most cases, two hours more
loafng about the corners and two hours
more for drinking"
General Master Workman Powderly has
issued secret circular TO the Knights OF
Labor, which has just been made public.
Mr. Powderly instructs the secretary OF each
assembly to call full meeting, and read be-
fore it the sentiments which follow. The
address opens as follows: ITO attempt TO
win concessions or gains with our present
raw, undisciplined membership would be
like hurting an unorganized mob against a
well-driled regular army. It's not fair to
the older assemblies to bring in new mem
bers, pick up their quarrels as soon rs Or
caniged, and have them expect pecunlary
aid from those who helped build the order
up for noblo purpose" The address con-
tinues: ave must not fritter away our
strength, and miss the opportunity of pres
emit success in the struggle against capital,
by rushing into useless strikes. TO the car
dinal principles of the order we must add
observation-disclosures. Your scales Of prices
must stand as they arc for the present. ii
you cannot raise them by any other process
than a strike. Find out how much you are
Justly entitled to, and then the tribunal Of
arbitration will settle the rest" Mr.. Pow
derby warns the Knights Of Labor that the
politician is planning how to catch Knights
Of Labor for the advantages of himself and
party, and adds that to Use tho name OF the
order in political contest is criminal, and
must not occur.
Referring to the cigh! honr movement,
the circular says: Assemblies of the knights
of Labor must not strike for tho eight hour
system on May lst under the impression
that they are obeying orders from head
quarters, for such an order was not and VIII
not be given. Can We mould the scnti.
ments of the millions in favor of the short
hour plan before May 1st? 1t ia nonsense
to think of it,"
After speaking of the qualities which the
officers of assemblies should possess, and ex-
pecting the knights to elect honest men,
Mr.. Powderly continues "While | write, Il
dispatch is handed me, IL which read these
words, "They discharged our brother, and
we struck, for you know our motto Is. An
injury to one is the concern OF all Nes,
an injury to one Is The concern OF all Dnt Il
is not wise to injure all for the sake OF one
1t would have been far better TO continue g.!
work and properly investigate the matter"
! Speaking Of tho relations between the
church aud the knights OF Labor, Mr. Pow
derly says: 1.-THE church will not interfere
with us so long IA we maintain The law.
am ashamed to meet with clergymen and
others to tell them our order ID composed ci
law abiding intelligent men, while the next
dispatch brings the news of somo petty hoy
colt or strike" In conclusion he says:
am willing TO do my part, but not to be ask
ed to maintain false position before the
world any longer. One OF two things must
| take place either the order must obey its
laws, or must be permitted 10 resign from
vocation which obliges me 10 play ono
part before the public and another 10 orr
members. | say to tho world that tho
Knights Of Labor do not approve Of Or en-
courage strikes. must have the assistance
of the order or my most earnest Efforts will
fail. Will I have it? Ifso, strikes must be
avoided boycotts must be avoided. Those
who boast must be checked by their assem-
blies. No move must be made until the
court of last resort has been appealed TO.
Threats of violence must not be made. Pol.
ticians must be hushed up or driven out.
If you strengthen my hands | will contin-
ne in the work. IF you do not desire to as
sist me in this way, then select man better