, 1886-03-23
The knights, Statement.

here is almost at a standstill on account of
the strike of over 200 switchmen. Their
grievance has not yet been made known.
The statement of the Knights of Labor
in reply to H. NJ. Hoxic's letter to the
governors of Missouri and Kansas was
issued at a late hour to night. Condensed
it is as follows: While in conference in
Kansas city, we were sent for by the gov
ernors, aud out of Prospect for them a com
mite was appointed, consisting OF the
employees of the Gould roads only, which
met with them and by request
stated the cause of the present
Withdrawal of active labor from the roads
of the Gould Southwest system. On
their suggestion these gentlemen agreed
to see Mr.. Hoxie and attempt a settlement
if possible. The ~interposition of the
governors was voluntary. We refused
them the privilege of adjusting our differ
ences or accepting terms of settlement
without first submitting them to this com-
mittee for approval. Notwithstanding
which they received Hoxie's proposition,
qualifications and all, and turned them
over to the press and public before we
were ever permitted to see them. They
say to Hoxie; after careful investigation,
we are unable to find wherein the Mis-
souri, Pacific Railway company has violat-
ed the terms and conditions of the agree
meut made on the 18th of March, 1885,
touching its employees in our respective
states. In rendering this verdict, the
governors have blindly ignored the fact
that the obligations assumed in said cir
cular, at that time took effect with the
roads operated and leased by said Mis-,
souri, Pacific Railway company, aud was
fully understood to apply, although by
an oversight but two roads and states were
mentioned therein. Evidence is at hand
that the bridge men have been compelled
to work many hours overtime without
receiving the agreed overtime pay. Eyi-
dence is at hand to prove that in
order to make it necessary to re-
duce the force of ~workingmen, work
has been sent to contract shops,
and in one instance a whole foundry
was sublet in order to bring the men
under the new supervision, thus depriv-
ing the men of the provisions ofthe agree
ment All this was done to create dissat-
i~sfactlon aud induce the men to leave the
company's employ. after which the men
were employed, and always at reduced
wages. The outrages on the Texas x
Pacific railroad are sought to be made a
matter entirely out Of range of the agree
ment. The men were out Of sheer preju-
dice, discharged without an effort to re-
duce the hours OF work, The receivers
refused to comply with the agreement of
the company officials with the employees
after the institution Of the receivership,
notwithstanding they do not repudiate
the other agreement OF said officials, show
ing a clear intent to use tho United States
court and its officials for d~ishonorable
purposes. If Mr.. Hoxie did not know
that he was guilty Of gross wrong and in
Justice, why would he refuse to listen to
our evidence and hear our appeal for re-
dress? Why would he shelter himself be-
hind subterfuges and technicaliues2 Why
should he refuse to treat with men be has
wronged and with evasivc letters to gov
errors who cannot possibly enter into the
merits Of the controversy. The truth Is
simply this, Mr.. Hoxie wants trouble.
He has provoked Il; he Is still melting it
and making an innocent public pay thu
price of his peridy. How long will thu
public consent for Gould and Hoxie thu
to rule or ruiu2 We wait to see.
ST.. LOUIS, March 22.-The local as
sembly of the Knights executive com
miitee is still in session in ST. Louis
discussing Hoxie's terms. but Chairmai
Irons says they will be rejected, as 4
accept them would BE- to abandon all thei
principles.
Another Method of Stopping Train
LITTLE Rock, Ark, March % -Abou
. O'Clock this morning the north bounI
Iou Mountain railway passenger trail
was stopped at a long t%restle, two mile
souih Of Little Rock, owing 70 the dii
oovery that the trestle was burning. ]
was soon destroyed and the train was IN
able TO proceed further.