The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-26
The Supreme Council OF the Fedora
ton Of Railway Trainmen
Reaches Conclusion.
They Have No Grievance Against
Central and VIII Not
Strike.
Powderly and the knights Heartily Com
mended, ana Webb and the Road
Roundly Denounced

ing 0rGaniZatl0ns-Mon and brothers: O
the night Of August Z a strike began on th
New York Central and Hudson River rail
road, involving about 800 men in the EN-
ploy OF the same road, who were member
Of the great labor organization known q
the Knights Of Labor. The reasons se
forth by Powderly, chief executive Of th
order. may be summarized as follows: Th
peremptory discharge of between fifty an,
sixty men, employees Of the road an,
members of the Knights o
Labor, without giving them any reasol
whatever for their discharge. Prior to tn
strike, the men involved sought, through
representatives of their order. to have thei
grievances adjusted, but their appeals bein,
disregarded, the strike was inaugurated. A
this juncture, Powderlv, general maste
workman OF the Knights Of Labor, enteret
upon the task of adjusting the difficulty ant
making such arrangements as would result
In an honorable peace between the employe
and officials of the road, but his efforts wer,
unavailinR. Powderly, comprehending tn,
purpose Of H. Walter Webb, third vice
president Of the company,to make war upor
the Knights Of Labor, and ultimately upo1
all labor Organizations represented ON BIZ
road, sought q conference with th,
supreme council Of the United Or
der OF Railway Employees. The request
Of Powderly was granted to the extent
Of four members of the council, chief exec.
utives of federated orders, who met him in
the city of Buffalo, viz: F. p. Sargent
grand master of the Brotherhood of Loco.
motive Firemen and president Of the su-
vNpn Ams1s
CHIEF of the Brotherhood vf Railway Con-
ductors and vice-president of the supreme
ieouncil; s. E. Wilkinson, grand master of
Brotherhood of Railway Conductors and
vice-president of the supreme council
and grand master of the Brotherhood of
Railway Trainmen, and Frank Sweeney,
grand master Of the s6witohmen's Mutual
At the conference with Powdef1y at Buff
falo the members of the supreme council
became satisfied that the officials of the
road, BY every consideration of fair and
honorable treatment of labor organ
izations, should meet Powderly and adopt
Of the grievance Of the striking employees.
This conclusion having been reached, mem
bers OF the supreme council, in response to
the request of Powderly, extended their
journey to New York, to afford such aid rs
was in their power to bring about settle
ment between Vice-President Webb, the
official having full authority on all mat
ters pertaining to the strike, and Powderly,
having authority to negotiate such arrange
ments for the knights as might end the
dispute. An interview having been Sc
cured, Powderly sought to have the dis
charged men heard in their own defense, in
the presence Of Webb and himself. This
Powderly proposed arbitration, which was
also refused. There were other PROPOSE
tions made by Powderly, having for
their object an honorable settlement
OF the existing trouble, all of which
we're , refused ct, on the part of
council, while in Buffalo and New York,
had ample opportunities to thoroughly in
ing the strike. They saw he and heard Ieoa both
sides. They appreciated the gravity of the
situation, and, comprehending the impend-
ing consequence to labor organizations,
deemed it advisable to convene the supreme
council for deliberation and such conclu-
si0ns as the facts should warrant.
In response to the order of Sargent. pres
ident of the supreme council, that BODY
in Terre Haute last Saturday and
remained in session until noon to-day. In
making their report to the council, the
with Powderly found all the statements
fully corroborated by the facts. In the in
terview with Webb he refused to entertain
any proposition looking 70 a
settlement of the difficulty. He
would not arbitrate any question
nor make any explanation or concession
ployes. He claimed the right to discharge
smployes at will, without making explana-
tion or giving to the victims of his power
any reason for his despotic action. He
would manage his road to suit himself
without any reference to any rights claimed
BY Its employees or any rights claimed by
ter to protect their members. The council
having heard the statement OF its members
who had visited New York for the purpose
of ascertaining the true condition of affairs,
discussed every important
and arrived at conclusions as
follows:
First, that the position of the KNIGHTS
Of Labor, as set forth by Powderly, general
master workman, and the general executive
board of the Knights of Labor, meets with
our unqualified approval.
Seco1.d, the course pursued by Webb
towards Powderly and the Knights of
Labor, Notwithstanding his declarations to
rupt and destroy labor organizations ON the
New York Central d Hudson River railroad.
10 done by Austin Corbin on the Philadel-
phia q Reading.
Third, the policy OF Webb is deepotic to
an extent that outraRes every principle of
American citizenship. and If Qenerallv
adopted would. if successful, reduce Amer
lean workingmen to degraded condition
Df affairs.
Fourth. Webb, by employment of Pinker
ton thieves, thugs and murderers. vile
wretches from the slums and brothels of
New York and other cities, to kill Workin0-
men because they dared to protest. sreinst
his rule and strike for their riQhtS m 4
,rime Of such enormity a. will sssociate
the name Of Webb forever with thoae IN.
dressed in . little brief authority. have nsad
heir money to secure power and deorade
heir fellow men.
Fifth, that the resorts now being mt
!orth by Webb, to destroy the Knichts of
labor, would, were circumstance nhanoed.
u Ike manner be made TO DESTROY the or
sanizations OF engineers, Aremen. conduc-
orr, trainmen and svitchmen, IL succees-
Iui 1t y only question Of time vhen 4 aim
lar e@ort will be made TO seel the fate Of
,ther labor organizations,
sixth. Webb. BY the course he has pur-
ned toward the Knights Of Labor and ron
'eseptatives Of labor orRanixationa. has
lhoWn total disregard Of thoee principles Of
,ltisen eoveEsianty. desired By every Amer
'saa vosthy Of The name and eoosideri1e