Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-08-21
POwderly EndeayOrs to Arrange a
Meeting With Vice-President
Webb, But Fails.
The Grand Master Workman Wishes
the Railroad Company to Show
Cause for Action.
The Entire Correspondence Between
the Two Men Made Public
Webb is Stubborn.

York Central, and Grand Master Powderly
IS made public tonight. Aug. Is, Mr..
Powderly addressed letter to Mr.. Webb
saying that he had been investigating the
cause of the Central strike and asking for
al interview on Monday, to discuss the
question of abitrating the differences
which existed between the New York
Central and its knights of labor employees.
Mr.. Webb, III reply granted an interview.
but at the same time wished that the mat
ter be presented in writing. Mr.. Powder
ly replied the next day, saying he had
been called away from the city and that he
was obliged to commit to paper what he
would rather discuss in person. He saws:
''lf am correctly informed, old and faith
full employees Of the New York Central
have been summarily dismissed from the
service of the company because they were
active members Of the knights of labor.
1T is represented to me that up to
the time of their discharge they
were faithful to the interests of the com
pany and not one mark of discredit stands
against the industrial record of any of
these who were discharged prior to August
5, 1890. That in brief, is the statement
OF the men. The frequency Of dismissaIs
had left but little room for doubt in the
minds Of the men that they were all in
danger of discharge at d moment s notice.
and hence the strike The whole question
hinges upon the discharge OF the Knights
of Labor because they are such.
If it can be shown that these men
were working injury to their employers,
eight minded men will say they were treat
eG as they deserved If they were dis
charged for cause the railroad company
has everything to gain and nothing to
lose from an investigation. If they de-
served a dismissal from the service of the
company none of us will ask for their re-
lnstatement. If, however, they were dis
placed because of their connection with
the knights of Labor, it should be known.
Tor if it is 20 be the policy of
the New York Central that no knights of
labor are to be employed then the
statement to that effect will clear 10 all
doubts and there can be no future mis-
understanding. There will he nothing
then to arbltrate SO long as You hotd to
that opioion.
The interests of the pnbic. the inter
ests OF the owners of the company you
represent and the right Of the men to
organize for self protection are all in
VOWED IN this contest. The policy OF the
order OF knights of labor is to work peace
fully IN the line of educational and legis-
latlve reform, it is not a policy of the ms
tltutlOn, no matter what its enemies NAV
say, to enter hastily upon strikes.
The present strike may be pointed to in
refutatlon OF that last assertion, but until
an investigation into the cause or
causes IS had, that must remain
disputed question, while hundreds of
cases that have been pelca' ally and quietly
adjusted through she intervention of the
knights OF Labor, although not heraIded
broadcast as they would have been had
they ended in strikes, prov that our aim
Is to avoid strikes rather than precipitate
them The interests of the public re-
quire that the freight and passen-
ger traffic should work smoothly
The interests of the company require exact
" the same time and in addition that such
trallcprove renumerative. The interests
OF the working people are the same as
others, but their right to organize and
select the organization they wish to belong
to, is fully as dear to them as their pecuni-
AIRY interests can possibly be-"
Here is an organization, the aim of
which IS to work for educational and legis-
latlve advantages, called upon to
defend lists of members, who, up to the
time of their dismissal, had worked only
IN educational and Legislative direction.
Surely we have right to question why
they were discharged. Each man, no
matter how humble he may be, has as
much part in the public as any other
man. True the New Yoak Central is trib-
utary to the comfort and weIl-being of
the community, but the community
gives to the corporation in question
It's strength and wealth and of that COM
munity, at least thirty are working peo-
pie and belonged to that element of society
that dare not organize for their own wei
fare. Some one had said since this strike
began: Money is not everything in
tins world. y He was railroad
director, believe. He spoke
truly, for liberty is far
dearer to the Iaborer and that is what he
strugg les for, that is what is denied him
when he Is discharged for being 1 knight
OF labor: If liberty was once valued Sc
highly that men offered up life and treas
ure and sacred honor to gain It.
surely their children should not be
blamed for striking for il.
Whether they struck wisely in this
case IS yet to be determined. Who is to
N1'Cl ill.'S. AOu lIdS leel IndG you are
right, the men may feel they are right.
both are partlsans, and if an impartial
verdict Is to be reached. smpartial men
must arrive at it by hearing both sides
and then Judgment. Men are willing to
submit a case. to such arbitration
and Will not be unreasonable.
Will you consent to do the same? If you
will agree to submit this matter to arbitra-
ton we can meet and arrange details and
agree as to how parties may be selected.
The newspapers report that you are re-
fuslng to admit that arbitration can enter
into a settlement of the trouble, but your
letter leads me to believe you are misquot-
ed. and shall hope for a speedy termina-
ton of the strike through arbitra-
ton.
10 this communication from Powderly
Vice President Webb replies as follows
Replying ave to say that none of the
persons discharged from this company
prior to August, 1888, and referred to in
your communication were discharged be-
cause they were members of your order.
The lmmedr7 nerlors of each
SAID the pesos reported to the
division superintendent or superintendent
of motive power, In each case good and
sufficient cause for the discharge of such
persons, and | am informed the division
superintendent or superintendent of mo.
tive power Investigated each case prior tc
the discharge, and the facts of such dis
charge having been reported to the
management of the company
they were further investigated anc
The action of the division superintendent OF
Superintendent of motive power was fully
aOproyed,