The sun., 1890-08-23
READY FOR BATTLE ROYAL.
rBE RAILRoADS REJoINDER TO TIE
KNIGHTS MANIFESTO.

Tho Rensona for tho Discharges Complain
.s or stated by Mr.. webb-Ho Again
Rejects mn oHor of the Services of the
Hoard OF fArbItrntion-It1omo Doubt About
the Action of tho Federation at Tsrro
H.ute To-dsy-New England Railroad
Men ORor 20 JOIn In the War;
The interest OF every body directly concerned
m the controversy between the Now York
Central Railroad Company and tho Knights Of
labor was considerably sharpened yesteI day
bv the second appearance In the breach OF +.
y Donovan one of the members OF the State
Board OF Arbitration and Mediation. The
iulity Of his first effort to settle the difficulty
nmIcably. it was thought would prevent his re-
nppearance as apeacemaker, but 1t seems that
n arereading of the regulations governing the
Board and the appearance OF General Master
workman Powderly. together with the many
threats against the railroad company which
have been sent broadcast made him consider
II his duty to interfere again. He strode
around between the Murray Hill Hotel. whore
he Is stopping, and the St. Cloud HOTEL. the
hsadoaarters OF the X. OF L.. with n COPY OF
the rules OF his Board under his arm.
-These regulations make 1t clear" he said.
"that the Boards duty is to prevent q strike II
possible. as we'll as 10 settle one that is al
ready begun. One strike Is practically over.
understand. but it appears that another one Is
imminent and it is to prevent this that am
here
Shortly after II O'Clock Mr.. Donovan called
on Third Vice President Webb in his office in
the Grand Central Station aud explained his
mission. The interview was not q long one,
but it must have been unsatisfactory to both
gentlemen, for neither would say anything
about 1t when 1t was over.
"All that can say" remarked Mr.. Donovan.
"is that the prospect for arbitration is mighty
bad"
In order to get the views OF both sides re-
Rarding tho chances of his Board for acting in
the matter Mr.. Donovan sent letters to both
Mr.. wotb and Mr.. Powderly. The sentiment
OF both communications was the same. The
one to Mr.. Webb ran like this:
NEW YORK. Aug. ~ 1890.
Il Fa.teT Webb Esq. Vice Prcstdent N y C. and IL r.
r. r Company
DEAR sIR: 1t having como to tho knowledge of tho
gtAte Board of Medaton and Arbitration that another
strike 10 seriously threatened upon the lines OF road of
your company, am instructed by the Board TO again
communicate with You and invite joint conference be-
tween the officers of company and representatives
Of your employeeR with tho view of deysinR somo
moAnA either by arbitration or such other method
may be mutually agreed upon whereby the threatened
Itriks may bo averted and an abrupt interruption of
travel and Importation of freight prevented.
main, respectfully yours Y. F. DONOVAN.
P.S-IAwait q reply at the Murray Hill Hotel
Then Mr.. Donovan hustled around between
his hotel and Mr. Powderlys headquarters un-
Gil early in the evening. when he received this
reply from Mr.. Powderly:
NBw YORK, Aug %. 1890.
y r DonoSan, Esq, Board Of Mediation ArGitraton
STATE rEe1 YorE-
DEAR h1a tako pleasure In acknowledging the re-
oolpt Of your letter in which the General Executive
Beard Of the Knights OF Labor 10 invited to Joint
ference with tho oaoias Of the New York Central Rail
road Our Board willing to comply with your request
end heia Themselves IN readiness to respond at
Asuts notice.
We hold ourselves In readiness to do any honorable
thing to terminate this strike avert another
Gaesroiy hope that either arbitration such other
usthod "as may be agreed upon will have the desired
eject
Recognising In you ofhoer OF tho State and
ing you thas 10 have from the beginning, been willing
and anxious 70 submit tho your Board for ad
1uStment / am. very truly yours,
T. V. PounHRLH, General AaStor Workman K Of L
After considerable delay Mr.. Webb had his
reply ready for delivery to Mr.. Donovan. A
messenger hurried over to the Murray Hill Ho-
tel with 1t. but Mr.. Donovan could not be
found there. and SO the reply was given TO the
reporters by Mr.. Webb himself This Is 1t:
AUGUST %.
IAS 2 Doaopdn member ortAe STATE Board or Ne
dLInOR and Ar1ETd ton
DEAR Sir: have receive your letter Of this date
As is well known to you and to the public a large
number of persons recently and suddenly quit the
vtce Of this company, and, with but few exoepto onS
havo not applied for Unemployment but engaged in
holding msstngH comforting with tho officials OF the
Order known tho Knights of Labor and other labor
erRanizauonS and seeking to prevent by persuasion
threStA intimidation, and In other WayS the oontinu
Anee IN lawinl employment OF the persons who did
leave the company service and Of others who have
been employed in tho place of those who did. This
tiues tho existing "Strie aud the further strike
ftrrrd To by you viii will not take place efforts
Of tho persOns who have left our service may may
not meet with succesR
believe that such efforts will fail
The operating force OF this pany is full. tho pas
SehEer service of the company is regularly performed
and there is no obstruction to its freight service ex-
sspaWless interference and tho apprehension thereof
am not aware OF any difference or grievance exist
inI between tho company and its employees; and
must that tho conference suggested by you as
between the officers OF tho company aud the repreIen
h'sA oi our employ ees 10 conference suggested bo.
Ween the officers of the company and tho officials Of
The kntGhlA Of Labor These officials represent our
employeth but persons who have left service and
nave not asked to be reemployed but who. through
ihehs came officials OF the Knights Labor. have AAked
thaI Tho discharge by the COMPANY OF certain lposORB
PRIOR 10 the stn Of August be sub mitted to their
resnGaton, and to arbitration by tribunal to
he selected in some way: areIuest which have felt
u TO be my duty 10 decline
vi course We doprecAo any interruption of travel or
asAI in tho transportation OF freight upon the lines of
thm or any other company. shall take overy means
IN my power to prevent such aud II tho
constituted authorities prevent lAwess interference
Win our operAuyes do not anticipate any Interrupt
non OF passenger OF freight trAf1c.
For tue ABOVE reasons 1t seems to inappropriate
ana unnecessary TO have the conference suggested by
you Yours respectfully
H. W,LrSE WEHA Third Vice President
THIS correspondence was the only stirring
incident OF the railroad end OF the trouble
during the day. There was some SPECULATION
concerning the action that will be taken to-day
a. tho meeting tho Federated Council In Terre
hAnte' but the gossip concerning 1t at the
urand Central Station at least was not sum
eisntlY earnest to indicate any grave appre-
hehsion on the part OF tho officials there. II
tue action taken by tho Council is not de-
slsiie' Then tho interest will be transfe rod 10
Tue meeting Of delegates from tho local asseln-
pneB IN District Assembly DAG which ia sor