The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-05
THE MISSOURI PACIFIC.
The Knights Apply for Work, but There Is
Employment for Only Half of Them.

It1E mlSSODhl RAClElC.
The Knights Apply for Work, but There Is
Employment for Only Half of Them.
ST. Louis, May Am addition to the circular
issued last night by the general executive board
Of the Knights Of Labor ordering the members
of district assemblies Nos IL, SO and 101 to ap-
ply to the railroad companies for the positions
vacated by them when the strike was COM
menced, an order was sent to the master work
man of each local assembly informing them that
the strike had been declared off, and ordering
them to notify all their men to make application
for work to-day. This order applies to the
Knights employed in East St Louis These
men struck under peculiar circumstances. They
went out both to assist the strikers of the South
west system and because they had grievances Of
their own. 1t was at first thought that: on ac-
count of the latter fact, the strike would con-
tinue in East st. Louis, but Master Workman
Sullivan, of the East St Louis district, said that
the general executive board had ordered them
back to work, and they would 60. This morn
Ing at o'clock, the time at which the day force
Of switchmen, freight-handlers, etc. 60 to work,
large numbers applied for positions at the head
quarters of the various companies and the
names OF many were Immediately placed on the
pay rolls Some few recognized as those who
had committed depredations upon the compan-
les property, were denied ra-s employment. Many
had not been informed of the order in time
TO make application this morning and will ask
for their old positions individually, and Lot in
body. The best of good humor prevails in East
st. Louis and although the companies there
have been doing all the business required of
them since the militia arrived, the yards and
freight depots present unusually busy aspect
this morning and the manifest uneasiness of the
last month has entirely disappeared. 1t is ex-
pected that the military will be withdrawn to-
night or tomorrow.
The local committee Of the Knights of Labor
which ordered the employees of the Missouri Car
and Foundry Company to strike because the lat
ter furnished the Missouri Pacific company with
repair material informed the men that they
could report for duty in all departments of the
works to-day. This morning those who had
been out on strike applied FOR their old positions,
and were taken back almost without exception
The question which is occupying the thoughts
or all interested in the end Of the great South
west strike is not, as it was when the Knights
we're ordered back to work directly after the
aoted Gould-Powderly interview in New York.
Will the men return to workF hut. ''are there
esay vacancies for the Knights to fllP The rail
id companies have claimed for some. weeks
1t they were doing all the business offered
u that the resumption OF traffic was complete.
Is known, however, that the employees have
pren working over time on the roads, and that
in the machine and repair shops the number of
skilled mechanics has been insufficient to keep
the rolling stock in perfect repair. If the pres
emit hours Of labor of the present employees be re-
duced to their usual length, and enough vacan-
cies will result to furnish employment to fully
onefourth of the strikers, let the gangs of road
men be augmented to their former size, and this
would offer positions to many more let the ma
chine shops resume completely, and alarge num-
Der of the remaining men, who are now without
work. would find employment Thus 1t ia seen
that vacancies enough could be made to, or do
really exist to give employment to large pro
portion Of the strikers. The officials
of the railroad companies however,
state that they need no more
than 60 per cent. of those employed previous to
the strike and cannot, therefore, give employ
ment to all applicants. The knights of Labor
have generally cbeyed the executive order to re-
turn to work, and many applied at the Missouri
Pacific and Iron Mountain headquarters for their
former positions this morning. Those who par
tieipated in acts of violence against the railroad
companies property were informed that their
services were not needed; others were told that
their positions were already occupied, while 9TH
ers. and the larger proportion, were re-employed.
The chiefs OF departments have been instructed
TO employ only efficient men when needed and
thus no general unemployment of the strikers
1sn body will occur, and the filing of the vacan-
cies will be gradual, and will occnpy some time.
Martin Irons, by whom the Gould Southwest.
ern railroad system strike was ordered when
asked what effect he anticipated the method of
ending the trouble would have upon the knights
of Labor, said I'VE were fighting for recogni-
tioh and we got it from Congress. which repre-
SCENTS all citizens Of the United States. Is not
that com plete enough recognitionl Our order
will grow after this even more rapidly than 1t
has during the pass few weeks, when applications
Tor charters we're so numerous that we could
scarcely fssd time to consider them"
General Manager Hoxie, of the Missouri Pa
ellie railroad, to day sent Instructions to Gen
eral superintendent Kerrigan regarding the re-
Employment of Knights of Labor He quotes
- part of these Instructions, the wording of ad-
ertisements for help, published during the
-ifike, ia which the company undertakes not TO
* any questions of applicants as TO whether or
lot they are members of any labor or other or
ANIMATION. agreeing TO pay the rates of wages
commended by the Governors of Missouri and
Kansas, In the adjustment of March 16 or a rate
equal TO that paid BY other roads in the same
section Of country Mr. Kerrigan is instructed
that men who have been engaged during the
etrn are not TO be DISCHARGED; that men who
have committed acts of violence against the
rohd. or who have advised such acts. are not TO
be taken back, such having already been an
nopnced as the conpany's terms Mr. Hexie
then adds:
II learn from your reports that about sig hun
fred of the employees who struck on March 0