Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-04-03

ST. LOUIS, March %. The statement OF the
Knights OF Labor in reply to II. NJ. Hoxie's
letter to the governors OF Missouri and Kan
sas was issued at a late hour this morning.
Condensed, It is as follows:
While In conference az Kansas City W were
sent for by the governors, and, out Of respect
for them, q committee was appointed, consist
ing OF employees OF the Gould roads only,
which met " It'll them, and, by request, stated
the cause Of the present withdrawal OF active
labor from the roads of the Gould southwest
ern system. Ga their suggestion these gen.
tlernen agreed TO see Mr.. Hoxie and attempt a
settlement, II possible. The interposition OF
the governors was voluntary. We refused
them the privilege Of adjusting our differences
or accepting terms OF settlement without hrst
submitting them to this committee for OPP
proval, Notwithstanding which, they received
Hoxie's proposition, qualifications, and all,
and turred them over to the press and public
before we were even permitted to see them.
They say TO Hoxie: "Atter a careful investi-
CATION we are unable TO tn wherein the
Missouri Pacific Railway company violated the
terms and conditions OF the agreements made
on the 18th of March 1855, touching .ts en-
ployes IN our respective states" In rendering
this verdict the governors have blindly ig-
nored the facL that the obligations assumed Ia
said circular, at that time took effect with
roads operated and leased by said Missouri
Pacific Railway company, and was fully under
stood TO so apply, although, Dy oversight the
two roads and states were mentioned there
IN. Evidence is at hand that bridge
men have been compelled ID work many houre
over time without receiving agreed over tina
pay. Evidence Is at hand 10 prove that In or
der TO make 1t necessary 10 reduce the force
of working men work has been sent to con-
tract shops, md, u one instance, a whole
foundry suD.let IA order Co bring tae men IN
der new supervision, thus depriving the men
OF the provisions of the agree ment. AL this
was done TO Great, dissatisfaction and induce
the men To leave the colDpauy's employ, sfer
which men We're empiOyed, ana always
at reduced rates. Outrages on the
Texss aud Pacific railroad are sought 10 be
made a matter out Of the range Of the 6gree.
ment. Inc men were, out Of cheer .r, in6tce.
discharged without an effort to r.ouce the
hours OF WORK. The receivers REUSED 10 COM
ply with the agreement OF the con p,ny Off
Gals with the employees, after the insltutiCn Of
the receivership, notwithstanding they do not
repudiate other agreements Of said C~flicials,
showing a clear intent 10 use the United States
courts and It's OH 'ials for dishoporatle pur-
poses. IL Mr. Hoxie did not snow that be
was guilty OF gross wrong ard II justice,
why should be refuse TO listen 10 our evidence
and hear our appeal for redressi Why should
he shelter himself behind subterfuges and
technicalit'esf Why should he refuse 70 treat
with men he has wronged, snd with evasiys
letters 10 governors who cannot possibly enter
into the merits Of the controversy. The truth
IL simply this: Hoxie wants trouble. He has
provoked 1t. He is still ipcitirg It and making
an innocent public pay the price ~ his perfdy.
How long will the public consent for Gould or
Hoxie thus TO rule or ruina We wait to see.