The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-26
THEY WILL NOT STRIKE
The Brotherhood Gives Pow
derly Moral Support.
BITTER ATTACK UPON WEBB.
Thieves, Thugs and Murderers From
Sums and Brothels."
BITTER ATTACK UPON WEBB.
Denunciasion OF the Pinkerton Killers
The Autocrat Of the New York Gen.
trail Seems Well Pleased That the
knights Get No Real Aid.

".
nished the following report to the Associ-
ated Press:
HEADQUARTERS or TIE 6UfRExE CoUycrI.l
UNITED 0RDER OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.
To sll Laboring Organ nzatious-Nen and Broth
eTs: On the night of August q strike began on
the New York Central & Hudson River road, in
volying about SO men in the employ of the
road, who were members OF the great labor or
ganizaiion known S. the Knights of Lab r The
reasons set forth by Powderly. the chief execu-
tive of the order, msy be summarized a. fol-
lows: The peremptory discharge OF between
fifty and sixty employees, aud members of the
KNIGHTS of Labor. without giving them any
reason whatever for their discharge. Prior to
the strike the men involved sought. through Q
representative Of the order, to have their griev-
ances adjusted, bat. their appeals being disre-
garded. the strike was inaEgurated.
At this jHnefure Powderiy, general master
workman of the Knights of Labor, entered upon
the task Of adjusting the ditficnl and making
such arrangements as would result in an honor
able peace between tine employees and ofiicials
OF the road. bat his efforts were unayailing
Powderly comprehendiRg the purpose of II.
Waiter Webb. third vice president of the COM
pany, to make war upon the Knights OF Labor,
and ultimately upon the labor organizations
represented on his road. sought conference
with the supreme council OF the United Order
of Railway Employees. The request Of Powderly
was granted to the extent that four members of
the council. the chief executives Of the federated
orders met him in Buffalo, namely, r. P. Sargent
grand master of the Brotherhood of Locomotive,
Firemen. and president of the supreme council:
George w. Howard, grand chief OF the Brother
hood Of Railway Conductors and vice president
of the supreme council: s. K Wilkinson, grand
master Of the Brotherhood of Railway Train
men, and F. Smelling. grand master of the
Swifehmen's Mutual Aid association At the
conference with Powderiy in Buffalo the mem
bers of the supreme council became satisfied
thai the officials, by every consideration of fair
and honorable treatment of the labor organiza-
tions. should meet Powderly and adopt some
equitable plan for the adjustment OF the griev-
ances of the striking employees.
This conclusion having boen reached, the
members of the supreme council. IN response
TO the request Of Powderly, extended their
journey 70 New York TO afford such aid a. was
in their power TO bring about settlement be-
tween Vice-President Webb. the Official hsving
full authority in all matters periaining to the
strike. and Powderly, having authority to
negotiate such arrangements for the knights
as might end the ci pute.
An interview having been secured, Powderiy
sought 20 have the mea discharged heard in
their own oefensc, il the presence OF Webb aud
himself This fair and honorable proposition
was refused. Powderiy then proposed arbitra-
tions were made by Powderly. having for their
object the honorable settlement OF the existing
trouble all of which were refused on the part
of Webb.
The members Of the supreme council, while in
Buffalo and New York. had ample opportunity
to thoroughly inform themselves upon the
matters concerning the strike. They saw aud
heard both sides They appreciated the gravity
OF the circumstances. and. comprehending the
impending consequences TO labor organizations
deemed IL advisable 10 convene the supreme
council for deliberation and such conclusions
as the facts should warrant In response 10 the
call of sargent president of supreme council,
that body convened in Terre Haute last sssur-
day. and remained in session until noon today
In making their report to the council, the
member who went 70 New York TO confer with
Powd erly founds all the statements sde BY
him fully corroborated by the facts In the in
terview with Webb he refused 10 entertain any
proposition looking TO a settlement of the diffi-
Guilty. He would not arbitrste any question nor
make any explanation or concession whatever
with regard to the discharged employees.
He claimed the right 20 dis charge his en-
ployes ST win. without making an explanation
or giving to the victims of his power any reasons
for his despotic action He won msnsge his
road TO suit himself without reference TO any
rights C aimed by its employees or any %1hu
claimed by labor organizations 20 interfsRfn
any manner 20 protect their members
The council having heard :he statement q its
memoers who had visii ed New York for tn our
pose of sscertaining the true condition q sf-
fairs, exhaastively discussed every impottaut
proposition and arrived at conclusions as fol.
lows:
First-Thst the position Of the Kniehss of La.
Dor as set forth by Powderly, general master
workman. end the general executive board of
the Knights of Labor, meets with our unquali-
fed approval.
second-The course pursued BY Webb toward
Powderly and the Knights of Labor.
Notwithstanding his declarations to the
contrary. evidences q purpose to destroy
the labor organizations on the NeS
York Central Hudson river railway.
as done BY Austin Corbin on the Philadelphia
Reading.
Third-The policy of Webb is despotic to an
extent that outrages every principle of Ameri-
can citizenship. and II generally ad pied would,
II successful. reduce American workingnen TO
q degraded condition
Fo4rth-Webb. by the employment OF Pinker.
ton thieves, thugs and murderers vile wretches
from the sums and brothels of New York and
other cities, 10 XII workingmen because they
dared TO protest against his rule and strike for
their rights. is guilty OF crime of kzch enor-
nifty as will associate the name of Webb forever
with those who, dressed in little brief author
ity. have used their power TO degrade their
fellow-men.
Fifth-Thst the efforts now being put forth by
Webb 70 destroy the Knights of Labor, would.
were the eircu instances arranged IN ike man.
ner. destroy the organiEs ions OF fremen. con.
ductors trsinmen and switehnen II success
ful, ii is only q question Of time Nhen a similar
effort would be male 70 seal the fate of other
labor ergsnlxatlons.
sixth-webb. by the course he has pursued
toward the Knights of Labor and the represent
asives of labor organizations. has shoS a total
disregard OF those principles of citizen-sover-
eignty desired by every American worthy of the
name. and considering only his money power
and the corporate power OF the eomnany he
words say, in The language OF W. q Vanderbilt
on the susocrat OF New York. The public be
damned"
seventh-webb seeks to support this arrogant
attitude towards wcrkingmea and labor organl-
nations hy assuming that the New York Central
4 Hudson River rsilrosd Is privst- property.
and that his acts n the treatment of his en-
moves Is in no sense q matter of public
concern; tnaf he can with impunity dis
charge men s7d remand them 20 idlsness
and poverty and render them homeless
vAnserers without giving any ress N or expla-
nation whatever for such cosdnct disregard
ing the fact that the corporation for which he
n avs the autocrat is o thing created by laws.
in the making of which the nen he seeks 10
degrade have q voice. which, once united
viii bring his corporation 10 the bar OF justice.
where ms millions and the other millions he
represents wil cease TO be posenr8l in dscid-
ing questions Of this kind.
In view Of the foregoing faeis the supreme