The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-08-22
PoWDERLY STATES THE CASE.
The Master workman Asks Webb to De
clare His Position.

The Master Workman Asks Webb to De-
clare His Position.
On Sunday Powderly wrote Webb that
lie was called from the city and was there
,ore obliged to commit to paper what he
would rather discuss personally. He was
informed that old and faithful employees
aad been summarily dismissed because
they were members of and active in
the Knights of Labor; that up to the time
of their discharge they were faithful en-
ployes, 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 a moments no.
tice; and hence the strike. ''The whole
question hinges upon the discharge of
Knights of Labor because they are such.
II 1t can be shown that these man were
working injury to their employers, right
minded men will say they are treated as
the deserve.
Is 1t War Against the knights?
"If they were discharged for cause, the
company has everything to gain and moth
ing to lose from an investigation. If 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 La
Dor, it should be known for if it is to be
the policy of the company that no men,
bers of the Knights of Labor are to be en-
ployed, then a statement to that effect
will clear up all doubts, and there can be
no future misunderstanding. There will
be nothing then to arbitrate, so long as
you hold that opinion"
A Community Of Interest.
Powderly then says hat the struggle
involves the whole question of the rights
of men TO organize for self protection and
that it is not the policy of the knights to
strike hastily, and then proceeds: "The
interests of the public require that freight
and passenger traffic should work smooth
ly, the interests of the company require
exactly 1.-The same thing and in addition
that such traffic prove remunerative; the
interests of the working people are the
same as the others, but their right to or
ganize and select the organization they
wish to belong to is fully as dear to them
as their pecuniary interests can possibly
be-" and that organization surely has a
right to question why any of its members
were discharged.
A Proposal to Arbitrate.
"Whether they struck wisely in this
case is yet to be determined. Who is to
determine? You may feel that you are
right, the men may feel that they are
right; both are partisans, and if al i'm
partial verdict is to be reached, impair
tial men must arrive at it by hearing both
sides, and then judging. The men are
willing to submit the case to such arbi-
%tration, and will not be unreasonable.
Will you consent to do the same? Twill
return to the city as soon as / car meet
my engagements, and if you will kindly
address me at the st. Cloud hotelit will be
carefully attended to, and placed before
me on my return"
Vice President webb's Reply.
Webb in his reply says: 81 nave
to say that no one of the per-
sons discharged from the service of this
company prior to Aug. s and referred to in
your communication, was discharged be-
cause he was a member of your order.
The immediate superiors of each of said
persons reported to the su p~erintendent
good cause for the discharge, and the
superintendent investigated each case.
The management also investigated them.
and the action of the superintendent was
approved. The management does not
deem it consistent with it's continuance
and prosperity in business, and with the
discharge of the duties it yves to the peo-
pie, to submit the pr opriety of its action
in the discharge of any of its employees to
arbitration. l have read your communi-
cation with care, and 1 think the forego-
ing answers the points presented by you
and defines the position of this company"