New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-15
GOULD AND POWDERLY.
A CORRESPONDENCE ON THE sTRIKN
THE CONTEST AS IT AFFECTS INDIVIDUAL
LIBERTY.
Mr.. PowDERLY DECLARING THAT Mr.. GOULD CAN
STOP THE sIRIXE-MR. GOULD's RESPONSE
TO THREATS AGAINST HIM.

the Southwest we're to be made by Mr. Powderly
prove to have had foundation, as will be seen from
the correspondence given below. Mr.. Powderlys
letter was written, rather finished. last Sunday
morning and sent to William o. Mcdowell. of this
city, either upon that day or the one following. IL
remained IN the latter's possession, 1t seems until
yesterday morning when he delivered it to Mr..
Gould by special messenger.
Mr.. POwderly in his letter, gives summary Of
his recollection of two discussions that took place
between the Executive Board of the Knights of
Labor and Mr.. Gould. on March 2s and 30. lie
deres some of the statements that the latter has
made respecting what was said by both sides and
explains what he said respecting the character Of
the strikers Mr. Gould is urged to settle tho
strike at once. AM provided he will do he is at
liberty to deal with tie employees as citizens not as
Knights of Labor. Mr.. Powderly challenges Mr.
Gould to begin suits for damages against the
Knights of Labor. In his reply. Mr. Gould presents
previous correspondence to show the reasons for
his acts in reference to the strike and then takes
Mr. Powderly to task for the threatening tone OK
his letter. Mr.. Powderly's letter IS as follows:
SCRANTON. PENN April IL. 1886.
JAY GOULD Esq, President Missouri Pacific Railroad
DEAR SIR The events OF the past forty hours
must have demonstrated to you the absolute necessity
bringing this terrible struggle in the southwest TO
speedy termination. You have tho power, the au-
thority and the to bring the strike to an end
have done rybng in power to end the strife rho
gentlemen associated with the General Executive
Board OF the Knights of Labor done the same.
Everything consistent with honor and manhood has
been done ia the of peace. No false notions OF
pride dignity have swayed us In our dealings with
you or the gentlemen associated with you.
In that conference with you on Sunday. March %.
understood you to meaE that arbitration would be
agreed to: the only method Of arbitration that die
lg1a that afAI I'm IA lat
which sent to you in the name Of our board the day
previous; there nothing particular agreed upon 40
you well know. You said that in arbtrstng the matter
sustained by the company during the strike
ought to receive consideration. said to You that ie
would be the part Of wisdom to bring that question
up in the settlement OF the strike. When called upon
you again that evening you had prepared as the result
Of your understanding OF the mornings interview. let
ter which you intended to give to That letter In
cuded a telegram be sent to Mr. Hoxie and In that
telegram you said that the damages sustained Dy the
company would be proper subject for the arbitration
board discuss This latter part Of the letter or tele
gram you agreed to strike off after we had talked the
matter over for time. ana left you you were
about to go to your rewre tue letter which YOU
afterward placed In the hands OF Mr. Mcdowell to bo
given mo- for had to leave at that time In order 10
keep appointment at the hotel where stopped Tho
statement which you have since then made to the eect
that you had prepared letter before called is not
quite correct you did nave prepared you changed
1t after we talked matter over for some time This
believe you will admit to be true. In the conference
held between the members of our executive board aud
the directors Of the Missouri Pacific Company at No.
l05 Broadway on March 80, you said to me that you
understood me to say that the along your lines
would be ordered back TO work at once. they having
violated the rules Of our organization.
then reiterated the statement which made to you
and repeat 1t: The men out along the lines OF
your railways be ordered back TO work. but II they
are given understand that they deserted that We
do any interest in them, 1t will not In way
mend matters tho contrary, 1t viii make things
worse There are all along the roads out there great
many men who have regard for organization or law.
men hardy spirit, energy and daring. such men as
have East and have taken their no mes out In
a wild country such that Is. VIII not submit As qurty
as the men they have left behind In the East they are
ant do rasher things than they would DO elsewhere,
and have doubt have some in order. In fact
my experience with the OF that vast section leads
me 10 think that the both sides ont there are
daredevish than they are In the last Even the
business of that country are of that stamp OK
character"
Both you and Mr. Hopkins heard me mlks
that statement and believe the latter agreed
that that was his experience also Tho
danger Of the strike spreading was also discussed and
said you that would not spread that an effort had
been made to have the men OF the Union Pacific take
part in it, but that the Knights OF Labor on that road hal
standing agreement with the management OF the road
that there WAS be trouble or strike until the last
effort to effect settlement had failed and not then un-
nj the court OF last resort had been reached. When
made that statement Mr. Hopkins remarked that they
had better strike hen for If they did not the Union
Pacific would much longer have sufficient money 10
pay their employees The impression made on Inc WAS
that YOU would be pleased a strike take place on
the Union Pacific
This Ibelievc, covers the chief points OF discussion
did not hear either you Mr.. Hopkins say that the
present trouble out along your road wohil not 10
arbtrated with the who were not at work IL WIS
my firm belief when left you that night that you meant
to have the entire affair submitted arbitration at tho
first possible That belief is shared ny Mr. NC
Dowel who was present during the entire Interview.
When you sent tho telegram to Mr.. Hoxle sent 1t
as President OF the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company.
You the chief sends his message to an inferior
officer and it meant much 10 sensible man as thH
most imperative order could possibly mean when as
the chief officer OF knights of Labor send message
such as that understood to he my wishes and those
wishes are respected by the subordinate officer to whom
they are sent II Is not his place to put herent con-
sruction on and gire them bis own interpretation
His duty is to obey the spirit OF the Instructions lhe
man in power not bea autocrat In order to have
his wishes respected. 81 would like TO see 1t DONE.
comes with as great a force from the man IN authority
"A " must have it done" That was the idea that 1
entertained when left your house that night
also explained you your house that night that tho
men who nad entered upon the strike had not violated
any law of the order IN doing that while thought s
oud have been they had laid their grievances
before the General Executive Board before striking yes
there was nothing our laws to command them TO 40
so said that District Assembly OF the knights OF
labor bore the relation to the General Assembly,
of which was chief officer that Of the states OF
the American Union had to the general Government OF
the Unitei States and that while could Interfere, 10
was under the law which mo jurisdiction over the
aut naf uude "a
explained to you the spirit Of organi'
zaton It's genius opposed to strikes aud that was
the reason why our general convention never enacted
auy particular legislation for the government of them
aso said that the occasion had never before called
for any Interference from the general officers bur that
this strike would show the necessity Tor he passage
az our next convention OF laws that would
place the subject OF strikes under the control OK
the Genel al Executive Board OF the general orior
Moud MArch 20 Arm The letto z