The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01
THE KNIGHTS FAIL AGAIN
Collapse of the Third Attemptt to Organ
ize a Strike on the Reading Road.
About Thousand Men at Philadelphia and
Port Richmond Cease Work, but the Roads
Business Is Not Seriously Disturbed.
THE READING STRIKE.
The Third Attempt of the Kni shts Results In
Failure.


pioyes, did not materially affect the business of
the Reading company to-day. The men did not
quit work with the alacrity which the leaders
had anticipated, and in many cases they
refused pointbank to strike, prefer
ring to allegiance to the
Knights OF Labor. At the freight
depot at Willow street wharf several hundred
freigh handlers and laborers struck This de-
layed business for time. but in the course of a
few hours the comp4hy had gathered large
number of non-union men from various points
and put them TO work The blockade was soon
cleared, and the officials reported everything
moving satisfactorily. At of the other
depots some few men went out, but their places
were quickly filled and the movement of freight
trains was but eighty affected. There were
many applicants for work at the main Office of
the company. Everything remained quiet at
Port Richmond The strike continued with
abated vigor go far as the men of local Assem-
bly, 62I5 were concerned. The strikers stood on
the streets and talked about sticking out to the
end, but in the meantime the company was fast
taking all the hands it needed and hour
ly getting nearer to a condition when it can con-
duct its business with the new hands.
II am simply giving my own opinion" said Sec
rotary Hayes. of the general executive board of
the knights Of Labor, in discussing the situa-
tiop, but it lie my impression that the execu-
tive board will not interfere in the matter. It
has not been asked to, yet and don't believe it
will be- The strike is in the hands of the Read
ing employees themselves"
President Corbin telegraphed to the New
York Office of the Reading railroad, to-day.
from Philadelphia ''The last and final oTdor to
strike has proved a complete fizzle."
+ 0ich 4ba
took the places of the strikers several days ago
were at work. but the force is a comparatively
small one, and nothing like the usual amount of
coal is bel ng handled there by the company.
Nine hundred oal-handlers were formerly en-
ployed at Port Richmond wharves. while it is
estimated that not over $50 are SO employed at
present Up to noon to-day there were
no signs of strike the Reading
Railroad in this section. The conpany's
car and machine shops. which each employ
in their several departments 800 men have
not been as busy as now for ten years. Hereto
fore, in the winter time, many suspensions
made and the employees retained were reduced to
eight hours day. Now every man has ten
hours work and many make over time Several
Knights of Labor assem- lies of this city held
meetings, and the prevailing sentiment of
the members that strike would be
ill-timed and not advisable. and that nothing
would be gained thereby. There notable
decrease in the number of coal which
passed through hdfe so far to-day. commencing
with this morning, and this is attributed to the
troubles in the coal regions and the stoppage of
the Gordon and sMahanoy planes. General
dispatcher Bertolet said this morning: eve
are in excellent shape We ran out TWENTY-FIVE
full coal trains from tho coal regions last nga.
about an average run compared with the same
day two weeks ago. Our trains. of course, are
running full, but it is safe to say that we
sent down fully 900 loaded coal cars last night
Seventeen trains OF empty coal cars passed
north through Reading destined for the mines"
The most extraordinary efforts have been
made by the strikers. in the coal regions and
in Philadelphia, to induce the men in the shops
in this city to strike. kilograms inuumerable
have been sent here, making all sorts Of prom
ses of support, and that if the Reading men
would join in the strike 1t would extend TO every
station all the Reading system So far
these kilograms have all been answered by a
fusal, the small percentage of those in favor of
strike not daring or caring to 60 out
NEW YORK. Dec. 3L-A conference of dele
gates representing the different local assemblies
of tine Reading system in this city this morning
adopted the following appeal, which will De sub
mitted to the district assembly at Reading:
To the workmen and women of America, and out
side of it, who interested in the solution of the
great question now occupying the attention of the
ing practical assistance in this most stupendous
struggle. 1t has been asserted that partly
deny that responsible If to be too honest too
sincere too ignorant. too undiploInatic, is
mot sueenty tricky efficiently I dishonest
sufficiently educated, to successfully engage in game
who live luxury for their superior pacy to deceive
and plumber. We thought dealing with hon
est who had honor enough to at least keep their
word and when they entered into verbal agreement
with had confidence in them. But alas!
how they manipulated the telegraph, how they
prevented US from gaining access to it, and
how completely they have us at their mercy
We were unable to communicate with people
our name virtually out forged dispatches, thus
causing what appeared to be the decentralization of
of the corporation. They had me entered tered
into negotiations with the head Of another organiza
in case of emergency. Employment agencies were
appealed to, and their owners well compensated
moment dared to assert rights. knowing their
siren strength the company forced the issue.
aside your petty jeaousies, petty qusrres
and look upon this fight to disrupt organi-
ency--yes, into slavery. Every corporation in the
country arrayed against the will be against
US. Pinkertons thugs at our throats, the po-
lice, the military powers all the side Of capital
acknowledgment. We have confidence in them.
An appeal for unity IS then made, and the ad-
dress continues:
Our monarcy is money, and our Caesars the Cor
bins and Gouids The press OF the Nation is entirely
in the hands of these powers.
Extracts from the editorial utterances of lead
ing newspapers throughout the country advo-
eating extreme measures for the suppression of
the Knights of Labor quoted as instances of
the opposition of the press to the cause Of
labor. and the address concludes as follows:
You, Messrs Corbin, Gould & Co., who the rep
resentatves of society to-day in your madness but
succeeded in arousng the slumbering demon. We
have nothing to lose but our chains.
louisville Pa, Dec. 31.--The strike of the
railroad hands here is the chief topic of talk
here. number of delegates to the Reading
convention say that that they did not vote upon
the question Of strike. and that therefore none
would take place at the mines unless ordered
here. What the result of the deferred meetings
will be tomorrow can only be con jectured but
in any event the company is confident of its
ability to handle all pressing traffic during
the past week. The coal and iron companys
men will go to work fast as the collieries re-
sumo after the holiday stoppaee
GORDON, Pa, Dec 31.-The Gordon plane
which compelled TO suspend yesterday. ow-
inn To mr. +ho