Morris tribune., 1890-08-20
POWDERLY AND Webb.
The correspondence RetwS en-
TRcm Given Out by the
Latter.
A Denial That Men Were Dis
charged Because They We're
Knights.
The Supreme Council Of Federated
Railway Employees Meet at Buf-
falo-The Strike.

New YORK, Aug. 19.-Vice President
Webb has made public the correspond
ence between Mr.. Powderly and himself.
Mr.. PowGerly, on Saturday, wrote Mr..
Webb, stating that he expected by Mon
day to have completed his inquiry into
the causes of the strike, and he would be
glad if an interview could be arranged
for Monday morning between 10 and Il
o'clock. He desired to discuss the ques-
ton of arbitration of the differences be-
tween the company and its Knight en-
ployes who We're discharged prior to
Aug. 8. Vice President Webb replied,
agreeing to the interview, but suggesting
that as the reports of interviews already
had between himself and MeSsrs. Hol-
land, Hayes and Donovan of the same
subject had been greatly misrepresented,
it would be for the interest of all con-
cerned if the matter which Mr.. Pc owdery
wished to present
We've Put in Writing.
On Sunday Mr.. Powderly wrote Mr..
Webb that he was called away from the
city and was therefore obliged to COM
NIT to paper what he would rather dis
cuss personally. He was informed that
old and faithful employees had been sum-
marily dismissed because they were
members of and active in the Knights
of Labor; that up to the time of their
discharge they were faithful employees.
with good records. The frequency of
the dismissals left little room for doubt
in the minds of the men that they were
all in danger of discharge at moments
notice and hence the strike. The whole
question hinges upon the discharge of
the Knights of Labor
Because They Are knights.
If it can be shown that these men were
working injury to their employers,
right minded men will say they are
treated as they deserve. If they are
discharged for cause, the company has
everything to gain and nothing to lose
by an investigation. Ii they deserved
dismissal from the service none of us
will ask for their reinstatement If,
however, they were displaced because of
their connection with the Knights of
Labor. il should be known, for if it is to
be the policy of the company that no
members of the Knights of Labor are
to be employed, then statement to that
effect will clear up all doubts and there
can be no future misunderstanding
10efe Will De nOGn1nS 10 dTDlIrdG6 SO
long as you hold that opinion.
The balance of Mr.. Powderly's letter
YVES devoted to a general discussion of
labor organizations.
Mr. Webb Reply.
n response to Mr.. Powderly's COM
mu1neation Mr.. Webb wrote:
have received the communication of
date Aug. II addressed to me by you as
the general master workman of the or
der of Knights of Labor. Replying
thereto, have to say that none of the
persons discharged from the service of
this company prior to Aug. 8 and re-
ferred to in your communication was
discharged because he was a member of
your order. The immediate superiors of
each of said persons reported to the SUI
perintendent good cause for the dis
charge and the superintendent investi-
gated each case. The management also
investigated them, and the action of the
superintendent was approved. The man.
agement do not deem it consistent with
its continuance and prosperity in bust
ness, and with the discharge of the
duties it owes to the people, to submit
the propriety of its action in the dis
charge of any of its employees to arbitra-
ton. I have read your communication
with care, and I think the foregoing an
swers the points presented by you and
defines the position of this company.