The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-08

coot-headed coleaenes-among whom ware no
shop-keepers or coal-miners-wanted. They
cept.d. MT hnrrieniy. but with the aid of men
who were determined il possible, to maintain
friendly relations between the railroad and its
engineers
Railroad men know perfectly well that the
brotherhood would have been wiling to accept
81 cents per mile for passenger and cents for
freight locomotives from the Burlington ROAD.
They know, too. that within comparatively
short time the Chicago & Alton. the Chicago u
Norihwester9. the Atchison. Topeka e Santa
Fe. the Missouri Pacific, and other railroads
agreed pay those rates and do nay them.
Trey know also, that the Brotherhood intended,
If possible TO secure these rates all the
country. They probably good deal more
disguised over the strike wh-n it originated
than were the eneIneers- That they have lost
OF this uneasiness is owing TO Arthur's
compromise with the Knights of Labor.
1t is generally felt by the friends of the
Brotherhood that Arthur has made the mistake
of his career in agreeing 80 make terms with the
Knights of Labor. In this city Arthur made
many friends by his conservative hearing during
the lockout of the engineers on the elevated
roads of this city. and by his manly advice to
the after the battle 1t is entirely
the fault of the knights that trey are neither
feared nor respected here. Their incompeteney
IS managers. even of their internal affairs, has
been so glaring have ceased 10 excite even
laughter. The impression - general tnat In
making a bargain with the knights Arthur has
lowered not only his dignity. but that of
the Brotherhood More than that. il is ieit that
he has sold his birthright tor mess of pottaes.
the Philadelphia & Reading railroad and
among the Knights of Labor who had been or
are employed UPON it believe for an instant
that the calling off of the Brother
hood Engineers who are employed
it will materially bepeft the Western
strikers. The carloads of engineers who have
gone West since the Chicago. Burlin gton 81
Quincy strike was commenced are not Phiiadel-
pnia d Reading Knights or Labor; only small
proportion of them are. The places OF hundreds
of Philadelphia g Reading strikers were not
taken toy Brotherhood engineers. The Brother
hood ergineers who lost their places on that
road in the strike of 1877 scattered over a
wide range of territory Perhaps hundred of
them, certainly not many morr, remained on
the liue of the road and obtained nther stu
atoms. Many of them have not driven a loco
motive since the strike OF 1871 lie PUN Der OF
Brotherhood engineers who have taken the
places of strikers on the Reading road IS so
small that if every one of them resign
his job to morrow the Burlington strike would
not be influenced particle.
In mileage the Reading railroad is small con-
Germ in comparison with the Chicago. Burllng.
ton & Quincy. The latter has a mileage of
5000, and employed 1000 locomotive
gineers. The Reading Knights could not sup
plya third of their places and it is dificut
comprehend how of ArthurS sag acity and
foresight could have been induced to Join hands
with the Knights in the belief that. without
their assistance. he might he defeated In the
present strike Ii he has not already discovered
his mistake ha is certain to do very soon. he
He will find that the knights of Labor do not
pay the same Difference to their rulers ne has
been accustomed 10 rec+ive from the Brother
hood If it suit them as individuals to work on
the Burlington road they will do so. and an
order from Powderiy to desert their new
employer will have little or no effect. They
have been taught by exnerience that the only
ores who have profted through membership in
the noble aud holy order the men at ITS
head. They can remembers long list OF strikes
commenced recognized by the general execu-
tive board that failed 10 net the workers any
thing but misery and privatlon. They deride
the idea that injury to one is the concern OF
all. They may admit that it sounds vel and
Goes not look badly in type, but they will
add that it never put any money IN their pock-
cts and that for everyday use tne axiom '.seif-
preservation is the first law of nature. is it's SUI
perior in every respect. Besides, they have
been we'll grounded in the principle that evsry-
thing is fair in war. and they have been taught
to recognize in the Brotherhood Of Locomotive
Engineers special eneny.
Arthur has had everything to gain and moth
ing to lose Ia holding aIoof from the Knights.
They have been am are considered irresponsible;
he and his organization have ALWAYS been con-
sdered responsible. No will believe that the
Brotherhood will lift the Knights TO its standard.
Too many. and not without reason, will believe
that tie Knights will drag the Brotherhood
down to their level For every dollar OF assist
ance gwen by the knights they will expect ten
In every petty strike which may be even in
directly influenced by the Brother mood the latter
will be expected TO lend its assistance. It viii
quickly lose it's Individuality. and become a
mere part of IN wieldy machine. Ii Arthur
be the man he has been, and still have the in
terest of the Brotherhood at heart he oannottao
quickly GissoveN the ilI-consldered and unfort-
innate partnership he has made. His friends
think he had better afford to lose the present
fight than destroy organization hat has been
of vast benefit to It's mem hers and tha5 has sell
dom occupied a position considered untenahle
even by those whose BUSINESS interests natur-
ally ranged them the other side.
That Arthur will q defeat in the present
contest without making farther efforts TO win is
not expected in railroad circles The latter
generally fairly well informed of moves contem
plated by their employees and il is fully expected
that the strike area will rs widely increased be-
fore many DAYS have elapsed. 1t is by means
certain that the strike will not extend To New
York. for both sides consider it far
i m nortant than they did week ago t. win.
Arthur had the power before he entered into
negotiations with the Knights t. gain victory.
He stiil has the power tn entail immense loss on
the business interests of the country; but, he
is we'll aware, it is difienlt TO win without pub
lie sympathy, and this he has. to immense
extent. lost since he bent the knee to an enemy
he despses.
Two years ago leaders of the Knights of Labor
claimed that Arthur was serving his last term
grand chief of the brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers. They mistaken then; they
may feel more confident now that their hopes
will be realized.