, 1890-08-26
THE STRIKE APPROVED.
Knights of Labor Endorsed in
the Stand Taken.
Seven Reasons Given for De-
claring War.
The Council Will Aid to the
Extent of Its Power.

TERRE HAUTE, Aug. 25.-The official
statement Of the council. given to an As
sociated Press representative, is as fol-
lows:
Headquarters Supreme Council of the
United Order of Railway Employes-To
all Laboring Organizations-Meu end
Brothers: On the night OF Aug. 7 a
strike began on the New York Central &
Hudson River railroad, involving about
800 men in the employ OF the same road.
who were members Of the great labor or
ganization known as the knights of La
Dor. The reasons set forth by Powderly,
chief executive of the order, NAV be sum
married as follows: Peremptory discharge
Of between fifty and sixty men, employees
OF the road aud members OF the Knights
of Labor. without giving them any reason
whatever for their discharge. Prior to
the strike the men sought, through rep
resentatives OF the order. TO have their
grievances adjusted. but their appeals
were disregarded. the strike was naugur-
ated. At this iuncture, Powderly, gen.
eral master workman of the Knights of
Labor, entered upon the task of adjusting
the difficulty. and was making such ar
rangements as would result in honorable
peace between the employees and officials
of the road. but his efforts were ~unavail-
ing.
Powderly, comprehending the purpose
of III. Walker Webb. thru president of
the company, to make war upon the
Knights oil Labor, and ultimately upon
all organizations represented on his road,
sought a conference with the supreme
council of the United Order of Railway
Employees. The request OF Pcwderly was
granted to the extent that four members
OF the council, the chief executives of the
general orders. met him at Buffalo, VIZ:
+. p. Sargent, grand master of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and
president OF the supreme council; Geo.
Howard. grand chief of the brotherhood
OF Railway Conductors and vice president
of the supreme council; s. 4 Wilkinson,
grand master of the Brotherhood OF
Railway Conductors and vice president
Of the supreme council; 8. Il. Wilkinson,
grand master OF the Brotherhood of Rail
way Trainmen and Frank Sweeney, grand
master OF the Switchmen's Mutual Aid
Association.
At the conference with Powderly at
Buffalo the members of the supreme
council became satisfied that the officials
OF the road. by every consideration of
fair and honorable treatment Of the labor
ORGANIZATIONS, should meet Po~dcrly and
adopt a just plan for the adjustment of
the grievance Of the striking employees.
This conclusion having been reached. the
members OF the supreme council 10 re-
Spouse to a request of Powderly extended
their journey to New York to afford such
aid as in their power to bring about a
settlement between Vice President Webb,
the official haying full authority on all
matters pertaining to the strike, and
Powderly having authority to negotiate
such arrangements for the Knights as
might end the dispute.
An interview having been secured,
Powderly sought to have the men dis
charged heard in their own defense in the
presence of Webb and himself. This fair
and honorable proposition was refused.
Powderly proposed arbitration, which was
also refused, as were the other PROPOSE
tions made by Povierly having for their
object the honorable settlement of the en-
tire trouble. The members Of the supreme
council, while In Buffalo and New York,
had ample opportunities to thoroughly
inform themselves upon all matters con
corning the strike. They saw and heard
both sides. They appreciated the gravity
Of the situation. and comprehending the
Impending consequence to labor organiza
tons, deemed it advisable to convene the
supreme council for elaboration and such
conclusions as tho facts should warrant.
In response to the order of Sargent. presi-
dent of the upreme council, that body
convened in Terre Haute last Saturday
and renamed in session until noon TODAY.
In making their report to the council, the
members who vent to New York to con
Ter with Powderly found all the state
ments fully corroborated by facts. In an
Interview with Webb, he refused to enter
tain any proposition looking to a settle
ment of the difficulty.
He would not arbitrate any question or
make any explanation or concession what
ever with regard to the discharged en-
p.oyes. de claimed the right to discharge
employees at will without making s,v.ex.
PLANTATION or giving 10 the victims of his
power any reason for his despotic action.
He would manage his road to suit him
self, without reference to the rights Gained
by its employees or any rights claimed by
labor organizations TO interfere in the mat
ter to protect their members.
The council having heard the state
ment of its members who had visited
New York for the purpose OF a~scertaining
the true condition of affairs, extensively
discussed every important proposition.
and arrived at conclusions as follows:
tlrst-That the position OF the Knights
OF Labor, as set forth by Powderly, gen.
eral master workman, and the general ex-
ecutlye board of the knights of Labor
meets with our unqualified approval.
Second-That the course pursued nv
webb toward Powderly and the Knights
OF Labor, notwithstanding his decIsra.
uons to the contrary, ~evinces a purpos
to dIsrupt and destroy labor organisation
on the New York Central aud Hudson
River railroads, as was done by Austin
Corbin on the Philadelphia h Reading
Thlrd-President Webb ia d~espot,c r.
an extent that outrages every principI, OF
American citizenship and if generally
adopted would, if successful. reduce
American ~workingmcn to a DEGRADED
condition of affairs.
fourth-Webb. by the employment of
finkerton thieves, thugs and murderers.
vile wretches from the elums and brothals
OF New York and other cities. TO kill
workingmen because they dare protest
against his rule and strike for their right.
Is guilty of a crime of such euormity a.
WIN associate the name of Webb With
those, who, dressed in a little brief auth
ority, have used their money 10 secure
power to degrade their fellow men.
rntn-Ihat the efforts now being put
1ortn oy Webb TO destroy the Knights OF
LABOR woul1, were circumstances ctnneed
IN IKE manner be made n Destroy the