New-York tribune., 1890-08-29
nrFsSSRS. WEBB AND PoWDERLY TALK.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE STATE BOARD OF
ARBITRATION THE MASTER WORKMAN
pR0iPS INTO HISTORY.

Through their leader I. V. powderly. General
Master Workman, the Knights of LABOR o'helai'y 10
cared Yesterday that the fight against the Now" ioFN
Central and Hudson River Railroad wouio eohuhu1
t. the bitter end and exceedingly o'ttcr tfls emu
promlses TO be 20 the large majority OF them IL was
also said that under no circumstances would tlie
,rluo he declared of until some concession was hrst
made ly the company. 1t was earned that Tor 'he
pie,cnt at lcast there IS no idea Oh the phrs oi 'o
Executive Bolrd Of the Knights of Labor TO orcer az
e,r,n,lon Of the strike 70 any OF the oter lines OIL
the Vanderbilt system
All yas quiet at the Grand Central station ana Ill
the freight yard, yesterday and H. Walter Weob thN
,,,o ,resld,ut of the company, went home early be
Il, be wont he received the news that the st9te hoau
- Mediation and Arbitration had ordered spe'Eh
nve.tiraton OF the causes OF the strike. Mr. "epo
d bat he had not received any official notice OF this
fa,., but II he were officially summoned oy ooau
r,,ori,cd by law he would attend the nvesusatlos
although there was really no Investigation hceoe' a'
ther, were no grievances existing between the compah!
and H., employees. The company had all tie men IL
needed and perfect harmony existed. Mt "eoo "so
said that although he would obey any legal summons
ne would not answer any questions relative 10 cher
Mr. powdcrly Mr.. Arthur.
AT the headquarters OF the Knights Of Labor III Inc
81 Cloud Hotel Mr. Powdcrly gave out tho following
interview:
Nof having recedci from original position of
willingness TO present side of the case 10 the Board
Of Arbitration | have nothing TO add TO what has
already bocn published am gratiled to learn that
the state Board will meet. but would rather have II
begin at once If such thing is possible
should Mr.. Webb refuse TO answer the questions
put 10 him by the Board and stll contend that there
was nothing TO arbiratc, what would You dof'
such contingencies that must be met when they
arise Mr. Wcbb must decide what he is TO do aud
himself and the Board Of Arbitration will have TO deal
with hun after that
If he refuse, to answer will you ask to have the
investigation go on y
"Most assuIedly that is what we want Our words
are doubted, The same Mr. Webb's. until proven
and wo hope have the State Board probe the matter
to the bottom in order TO give the facts to the public
"If the Board decides that a cannot act, should Mr.
webb refuse to answer, what thcnl'
"Thcn We will have TO go until the cad Is reached
but II he Ignores the state board II viii be the stepping
stone TO point where in future such questions VIII
have to be answered. When this strike began many
people Indignantly asserted that 1t Was the height OF
lmpudence for the to ask that an investigation
be had. They assumed that the corporation alone
had the right say when IL would discharge and hire
men and that no reason should be given for dis
missing men. We never questioned the right of the
corporation 10 hire and discharge such men as 1t
pleased. but did and do protest against discrmina
tion and prescription because we are members OF an
organization. Railroads are much different from other
concerns they derive their powers from the people
and should render account 10 them. one man
asked me II | thought the Knights OF Labor had the
right to sep in and ask for reason lie discharged
his gardener. The discharge OF gardener Is private
affair. man asks permission from the state TO
employ gardener, in his petition asserts that he
Is going into the gardening business for the public
good. When railroad asks for a charter II states
that Will benefit the public and therefore asks for Its
franchise from the public. Deriving Its authority TO act
from tho public IL must recognize the fact that
the employees are u part OF that public: more than
thatthcy 10 the corporation what the limbs are
10 the body and one man has rghi suddenly TO
cut away a part of the body Of any concern without
giving q YeasOn. That railway could not operate
without workmcn. II men were scarce you would
find them begging Of us to find them help. Under
these circumstances why should such a concern dis
crminate against any part Of itself' believe that
In future all companies chartered 10 act as common
carriers Will have clause inserted In the charter re-
qulrng that before either side to cessation
OF business al differences must be referred board
of arbltrators.
The side that Is wrong win always oppose arbi.
uation. England did not favor II when the Alabama