The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-19
A CRISIS IN THE STRIKE.
THE WAR WILL SPREAD OR PEACE
WILL BE PROCLAIMED.


Buffalo.
NEW YORK, Aug. 1S.-The executive
committee of the Knights of Labor. who
have been in session now and then at the
st. Cloud hotel since Friday noon last,
finished their deliberations and presented
the result of their consideration of the strike
on the New York Central railroad to third
Vice President Webb this morning.
Messrs. Holland and Wright of the execu-
tive board called on Mr.. Webb. Mr.. Hol-
land said: mr. Webb, this communion
tion which hand you contains the result
of the deliberations of the executive board
Of the Knights of Labor and, is anent the
strike on your road. l wish you vo uld
readit carefully and let AIS know what you
think of it as soon as you can"
wEBB's REPLY.
Mr.. Webb replied as follows: "Gentle-
men-1 shall read your communication
carefully and reply to it just as soon as 1
have finished reading 1t. | shall probably
have my answer ready by l o'clock, after
which / shall forward 1t to you."
Messrs. Holland and Wright babe Mr.
Webb good-day and left the Office.
There is no material change to-day in the
affairs of the Central road. Both passenger
and freight trains are being dispatched as
usual.
Mr. Powderly left for Buffalo last night,
but his encourage kept that secret until it
was announced that he had arrived in
Buffalo.
wEBB's REPLY.
Mr.. Webb wrote reply to the communi-
cation W ich he received from the execu-
board. The reply was placed in a sealed en-
tr ~ - ~
st. Cloud hotel, and was delivered by Mr.
Webbs private secretary. Its purport can
not be learned. The railroad people have
suddenly become as reticent as the executive
board Of the knights. Mr.. Webb stated
that in consideration of the communication
received from railroad associates at
Buffalo he had decided to withdraw a good
to-day Mr.. Webb said that he had deter
mined to withhold all Information from the
newspapers till he had heard from Mr. Pow
derly.
TENOR OF THE CORRESPONDENCE.
New YORK, Aug. is, IL P. M.-The
correspondence that passed between Vice
President Webb of the New York Central
and 7. " Powderly, general master work
man of the Knights of Labor, shows that
Mr.. Powderly wrote Vice President Webb
requesting an interview to-day, to which
ter to be presented be put in writing, but
granting an interview if Mr.. Powderly
wished.
Yesterday Mr.. Powderly replied that,
being called away from the city, he was
Obliged to commit to paper what he would
rather discuss in person. Mr.. Powderly
states the position of the men in these
words: IF | am correctly informed old and
faithful employees Of the New York Central
and Hudson River railroad have been sum-
marily dismissed from the service of the
company because they were members of and
active in the Knights of Labor.
DISCHARGED WITHOUT CAUSE.
'It is represented that up to the time of
their discharge they were faithful to the
interests of the company, and that not one
mark of discredit stands against the indus
trial record of any of those who were dis
charged prior to Aug. s. That, in brief, is
the statement of the men. The frequency Of
dismissal left but little room for doubt
in the minds of all the men that they were
all in danger Of discharge at a moments
notice, and hence the strike. The whole
question hinges upon the discharge of
Knights Of Labor because they are such
If it can be shown that these men were
working injury to their employers right
minded men will say they were treated as
they deserved. If they were discharged for
River railroad has everything to gain and
nothing to lose from an investigation.
DON'T WANT To BE UNREASONABLE.
'If they deserved dismissal from the ser
vice of the company none Of us will ask for
their reinstatement If, however, they
were displaced because of their connection
with the Knights of Labor, it should be
known, for, if it is to be the policy of the
New York Central Railroad Company
that no Knights of Labor are to be en-
ployed, then a -atement to that effect will
clear up all doubts aad there can be no
further Misunderstanding. There will be
nothing then to arbitrate SO long as you
have that opinion Mr.. Powderly con-
cludes by saying the men are willing to
submit the case to arbitration, and!asks con-
sent to do so.
MR.. wEBB's REPLY.
To this communication U. P. Webb re-
piled: II have received this morning the
communication addressed to me by you as
general master workman of the order of
the Knights of Labor. Replying thereto |
have to say that 10 one of the persons dis
charged from this company prior
to Aug. 8, and referred to
in your communication, was discharged
because he was member Of your order.
The immediate superiOrs of each of said
persons reported to the division superin-
and in each case had good and sufficient
cause for the discharge of such persons, and
| am informed that the division superin-
tendent or superintendent Of motive power
investigated each case prior to the discharge,
and the facts of the discharge having been
reported to the company they were further
investigated and the action of the division
superintendent or superintendent of motive
power fully approved. The management
of this company do not think it consistent
with its prosperity in business, and with the
discharge of the duties it owes to
the people, to submit its ac
tions in the discharge of
any of its employees to arbitration. l have
read your communication with care, and l
think the foregoing answer covers the points
presented by you aud defines the position Of
the company"
FREIGHT TRAFFIC RESUMED.
Mr.. Webb said tonight that the freight
service was complete and that everything
was working smoothly between here
and Buffalo. All the freight received
Yesterday had been cleared up and left for
It's destination. The places Of the strikers
had been filed, and there was not single
vacancy on the road
THE SITUATION AT BUFFALO.
BUFFALO, Aug. 1s--The status Of the
great strike In Buffalo this morning was
about tho same. The switchmen were still