The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-01-05

The Reading Will Not be Controlled
by the K. OF [
Reading Employees Determine on a
General Strike.
The Grand Army of 100000 Men to
go Out at Once.
A Coal Famine Likely to Follow ifthe
Order is 0beyed.
The Lehigh and Wyoming Fields to
Remain Idle.

p2ny towards It's employees IN IetC6I
sent at noon to-day to A. A. Mcleod,
general manager, with instructions to
communicate its contents to the men.
1t reads as follows:
ITO such of our old employees who
have stood faithfully by US, we feel
obliged and thankful, and shall not
forget them; but the time has now ar
rived when all of our employees will be
required to say whether they expect to
retain their places by reason of honest
and faithful service and prompt obedi-
ence to the orders of the COM
pany that employs and pays
to the directions of the knights of La
Dor. through which organization the
leaders hope to coerce US into the en-
ployment of men who consider their
first obedience due that order. The
men that stand by US VIII S=Ye en-
ployment with reasonable hours and
good pay, as much as is paid by any
other corporation of similar character.
The men who do not, will never be al
circumstances. We have never OBJ
jected to labor organizations, and do
not now. Every man shall be free to
belong to one or not, as he pleases, but
orders cannot and shall not dictate to
this company as to whom it shall en-
ploy or how to operate its property.
The places that are left in obedience
to the orders of the Knights of Labor
will be filled with new men, and such
new men will be retained, and under
no circumstances will they be dis
charged to make room for men who
have left their places. Hereafter we
will operate this property with en-
ployes who consider that their first
duty is to the company, and expect to
obey reasonable orders made necessary
in its business. There has never been
moment when, under any circum-
stances, we would arbitrate any
question growing out of this strike.
There has been nothing to arbftrate.
Its only question is as to whether the
company will be permitted to operate
its own property, property in which
there is invested over 500, 200, 900, Or
whether that property shall be con-
trolled by the Knights of Labor. 1t
may as well be understood now and
from this time on, that every wheel
which is turned on the Reading sys-
tenn shall be turned on the orders of
that company and under the orders of
nobody else"
WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THEM.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec. 29.-The
officers of the Reading Railroad and a
committee from the executive COM
mittee of the striking employees who
belong to the Knights of Labor came
together again this morning and part
ed after a short but stormy session.
Chairman John L. Lee and Henry l.
Bennett, members of the executive
committee of the Knights of Labor,
called at the Fourth street Office of the
company before 10 O'Clock, and scatter
ed about the hall and down stairs at
the entrance were other members
of the same committee, but none save
the two mentioned made any effort to
see Superintendent weigard. AS soon
as they arrived Mr.. Lee sent in slip
bearing his name and that of Bennett.
The only response he received was a
word from the messenger that the SUI
perlntendent would see him after a
while. He waited patiently and in the
meantime Informed reporter that the
committee had called in response to a
request of the superintendent.
Understand" he said, 1--WE did not
seek this interview, though the COM
pany's officers will doubtless tell you
we did, just as they said they never
agreed to arbitration, when in fact
they did"
An hour passed and Lee and Bennett
became restless and again was a mes
senger despatched to the superintend-
ent's Office with slip of paper bearing
the names of the Knights of Labor.
Again came an evasive answer to wait
outside. Half an hour later the super
intendent left the general managers
Office, and crossing to where Lee was,
said:
s'I will see you now
Lee, the chairman, was on his feet in
a minute, his hat in his hand. But,
Mr.. Bennett is with me,' he said.
81 can't help that" replied the sup
erintendent. My business is with
you, and 1 am ready to talk to no one
else.''
Bennett is a member of the excu-
tive committee" said Lee, and if you
see me you must see him also"
But will not,'' was the brusque
response to the superintendent.
Then Lee and Bennett drew aside
and held a short consultation. 1t
lasted but moment, and when it was
over Lee turned to the superintendent
and said: I'VE have agreed, sir, that
as long as you sent for us, we will not
allow this conference to take the nature
of personal interview. Mr.. Bennett
must be present not only as a member
of the committee, but as witness"
81 have said, ;" replied MIR. Sweigard,
'that I will talk with only you. If
you choose to agree to that come into
my Office" and he entered his room
and closed the door.
Again did Lee and Bennett consult,
and it was decided to make one more
attempt to get the superintendent to
recognize both men, lust to SEE" ex-
planned the chairman, whether or not
the c0mpany's plan is to ignore the
Knights of Labor entirely.
Thereupon he entered the Office and
paused on the threshold leaving the
door partly open.
do you refuse, he said to the SUI
perintendent, to recognize this COM
mittee because it is a committee, and
if so, for what reason do you ignore
it?''
ssI will recognize no committee, - was
the reply, plainly heard by those out
side. II will talk with you if you wish,
but viii recognize no committee from
any organization.
Then Lees answer was: IF you
will not recognize the committee / rep
resent You cannot recognize me. Good
day, sir.n
ing Bennett left the building.
THE VANGUARD ARRIVES.
READING, Pa, Dec. 29.-The van
guard of the delegates to the conven-
ton Of the Reading Railroad employees,
to be held in this city tonight, arrived
this evening. Every local assembly of
the knights of Labor in the anthracite
region, embracing the SchuyIkill, Lee
high and Wyoming regions. viii be
fully represented, and the meeting Will
be one Of the most important that has
been held for q long time, as it will de-
eide whether the Knights will pool
their issues in the fight and stand to-
gether or let the railroad men fight
their own battle.
IN CONVENTION.
READING, "a, Dec. 2.-Two hun
the Reading Railroad & Coal s.
Iron Company's employees throughout
the territory covered by the compeny's
tracks, met here tonight in special con-
vention to take into consideration
their relations with the company.
The coal regions sent the largest dele
cation, nearly 100 men The meeting
was q secret one. The first two hours
were taken nm in hearing reports