Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-08-26

Of great labor organization known the
Knights Of Labor. The reason aet forth by Mr.
T,v. Powdery, chief executive Of the order may
bo summarized as follows: The peremptory dis
charge Of between fifty aud sixty men, employ IS
Of the road and members Of the knights Of La
Dor, because they we're Knights OF Labor. with
out giving them any reason whatever for the dis
charge.
A Review OF the Trouble.
Prior to the strike the men involved sought
through the representatives Of the order 10 have
their grievances adjusted, but their appeal being
disregarded a strike was inaugurated.
At this iunctnre T. y. Powderly. grand master
workman Of the Knights Of Labor, entered upon
the task Of adjusting the differences and of max.
ing such arrangements as would result in an hon
orable peacs between the employees and the Off.
cials Of the road, but his efforts were unavailine
Mr.. Powderly comprehending the purpose Of
Walter Webb, third vice president Of the com-
pany, to make war upon the knights uf Labor
and ultimately upon all labor organizations repre-
sented on his road sought a conference with the
supreme council Of the United Order Of Railway
Employees The request OK Mr.. powdery was
granted 10 the extent TINT four members ~ the
council and chief executive Of the federation met
him in the city OF Buffalo viz. 7. p, Sargent
grand master Of this Brotherhood of Locomotive
Flremen and president OF the supreme council;
George W Howard grand chief Of the Brother
hood Of Railway Conductors and vice president
OF Aut supreme GD4utAf = F. AAhtHeAhf EiAhA
master Of the Brotherhood Of Railroad Fremen,
and Frank Sweeney, grand master Of the snitcf-
mems Mutual Aid association.
At the conference with Mr.. powderly at Enf-
falo the members Of the supreme council became
satisfied that the officials Of the road by every
consideration Of fair and honorable treatment q
labor organizations should meet Dir. powdeily
aud adopt some just plan for the adjustment oi
the grievance Of the striking employees 1his
coRclusion having been reached, the mepibcrs "
the supreme council IN response 70 the request
Of Mr. Powdery extended their journey 20 the
city Of New York 20 afford sueh aid as was ia
their power 70 bring about settlement between
Walter Webb. third vice president OF the com.
pany, that ofiicial having fun authority Ia all
matters pertaining to the strike ami r. ". Pow.
derby, general master workman Of the Knights 81
Labor having the authority 10 negotiate such
arrangements might end the dispute.
An interview having been secured, Mr. Pow
derry sought to have the discharged men heard
in their own defense in the presence OF Mr. Webb
and himself This was fair aud honorable sell
tement of the trouble but was refused on the
part OF Mr. Webb, The members Of the supreme
council while In Buffalo and the city OF New York
had ample opportunities TO thoroughly inform
themselves upon all matters concerning the
strike They saw and heard both sides. They
appreciated tie gravity Of the situation and
cbbprehendin9 impending consequences g tile
labor organizations, deemed It advisable % con
vene the supreme council FOR deliberation and
such conclusion as facts would warrant.
IN response 70 the order OF r. +. Sargent pres
dent Of the supreme council that body was con
vened in the city Of Terre Haute. lni., on saiur
day. Aug 20, and remained in session until uoou
on Monday.
The Councils Report.
In making their report to the council the
members who went to New York to confer with
Ais. Powderly found all the statements made By
him fully corroborated BY the facts. In an inter
view Mr.. Webb refused 10 entertain any PROPOSE
ton looking for a settlement Of the difficulty.
He would not .arbitrate any question nor make
any explanation or concession whatever with
regard to the discharged employees. He claimed
the right TO discharge employees az will without
seeking explanation or giving % the victims Of
his power any reasons for his despOtc action.
He would manage his road 70 suit himself with
out reference 10 any rights claimed by It's en-.
ployes Or ans rights claimed by labor organiza-
tions to interfere in the matter 20 protect their
members The council having heard the state
ments Of its member who mad visited New York
for the purpose OF ascertaining the true con
dition OF affairs, exhaustively discussed every
important proposition and arrived at conclusions
as follows:
Their Conclusions.
First-That the position OF the Knights or Labor
as set forth by T. v Powderly and the general
executive board Of the Knights Of Labor meets
Win our uhtlillllutA approval.
Second-That the course pursued By H. Walter
Webb toward Mr.. Powderly and the Knights Of
Labor. notwithstanding his declarations 70 the
contrary, evinces purpose to disrupt and destroy
labor organizations on the New York Central ana
Hudson River railroad as was done by Austin
Corbin Oh the Philadelphia and Reading.
Third-That the policy Of II. Walter Webb IS
despotic TO an extent that outrages every prin-
ciple Of American citizenship and If generally
adopted, would, il successful reduce American
worklngmen 10 the degraded condition Of seifs
Fourth That II. Walter Webb. by the employ
ment OF Piukerton thieves, thugs and murderers
vile wretches from the slums and broihals of
New York and other cities, to kin workingmen
because they dared to protest against his rule
and strike for their rights. is guilty Of a crime Of
such enormity as will associate 10 the name oi
Il. Walter Webb forever with those who. dressed
in a little brief authority have used their money
70 secure power 10 degrade their fellow men.
Fifth-Tbat the efforts now being put forth by
II. Walter Webb 70 destroy the Knights OF Labor
would, were circumstances changed. In like man
ner be made TO destroy the organizations of
engineers firemen, conductors, trainmen and
switchmen, and II successful, il is only question
Of time when similar effort will be made to seal
the fate Of other labor organizations.
Sixth-That H. Walter Webb by the course De
has pursued toward the Knights Of Labor and
the representatives Of labor organizations has
shown a total disregard Of those principles Of
citizen sovereignty dear TO every American
worthy OF the name, and considering only bis
money power and the corporate power OF The
company he represents, his acts, which speak
louder than words say In the language OF W. IL
Vanderbilt. once the autocrat Of the New York
Central, THE public be damned"
Seventh--H. Walter Webb seems 70 support his
arrogant attitude toward workingmen aud labor
organizations by assuming that the New York
Central and Hudson River railroad is private
property. and that his acts in the treatment OF
his employees is IN no sense a matter Of public
concern that he can with inpunity discharge