The Lamar register., 1890-08-23
THE CASE STATED.
An Exchange of Letters Between Mr..
Powderiy and Mr.. Webb.

NEW DIRK, Aug. lf.-lo n. Nai-
ter Webb-Dear Sir: On receipt of your
communication last evening, determined
to call upon you tomorrow morning for
personal interview, as that will be much
more satisfactory than correspondence
can possibly be. Since then have been
called away from the city, and am
obliged to commit TO paper what would
rather discuss with you in person. IL
am correctly informed, old and faithful
employees of the New York Central and
Hudson River railroad have been sum
marily dismissed from the service of the
company, because they We're members or
active in the knights of Labor. 1t is rep
resented to me that up to the time OF their
discharge, they were faithful to the inter
ests of the company and that not one mark
of discredit stood against the industrial
record of any of those who were dis
charged prior TO August S, 1890. That, in
brief, is the statement of the men. The
frequency of the dismissals left but very
little room for doubt, in the minds of the
men, that they were all in danger of dis
charge at moments notice, and hence
the strike.
The whole question hinges upon the dis
charge of knights of Labor because they
are such. If it can be shown that these
men are working injury to their employ
ers, right minded men will say that they
were treated as they deserved. If they
were discharged for cause, then the New
York Central aud Hudson River road has
everything to gain and nothing TO lose
from an investigation. If they deserved
81
none of US will ask for their reinstate
ment If, however, they were displaced
because of their connection with the
knights OF Labor, it should be known, for
if it is to be the policy of the New York
Central and Hudson River railroad that
no Knights of Labor are to be employed
then statement 10 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.
As an organization, the aim OF which is
to work for educational and legislative
advantages, the Knights of Labor are
called upon to defend its members who,
up to the time of their dismissal, had
worked only in educational and Legislative
NAASNNAeAA'- s'AANAg We AASN = +AN ~ 49,
tion why they were discharged. Each
man, no matter how humble, is as much u
part of the public as any other man. True,
the New York Central and Hudson River
railroad is tributary TO the comfort aud
well being of the community, but the com
munity gives 10 the corporation IN ques-
tion its strength and wealth, and, of that
community, at least two-thirds are work
ing people and belong TO the same element
OF society that dare not organize for their
own welfare
Someone has said since this strike began,
money is not everything in this world -
He was a railroad director. believe He
spoke truly. for liberty is far dearer to the
laborer That is what he struggles for,
and that is what is denied him when he is
discharged for being knight of Labor.
If liberty was once valued so highly that
men offered up life and treasures and
sacred homes to gain it, surely their
children should not be blamed for striking
for il. 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 an i'm
partial verdict is to be reached, impartial
men must arrive at it by hearing both
sides and Judging. The men are willing
to submit the case to such arbitration and
will not be responsible. viii you consent
TO do the same. If you will agree to sub
NIT this matter to arbitration, we can
meet to arrange the details and agree as
to how the parties may be selected.
The newspapers report you as refusing
to admit that arbitration can enter into
the settlement OF the trouble but your
letter leads me to believe that you were
misquoted and still hope for a speedy
termination OF the strike through arbitra-
ton.
l shall return to the city US soon as can
meet my engagements, and II you will
kindly address me ut 81. Cloud hotel it
will be carefully attended to and placed
before me on my return.
T. V. PowDERLY.
CLOSING rHE DEBATE.
To this communication from Mr. Pow
DERBY, Vice President Webb replied as
follows:
August ls.-Dear Sir. have received,
this morning, the Communication of date
August Il. addressed to me by you as the
General Master Workman Of the order of
Knights of Labor
Replying thereto, / have to say that no
one Of the persons discharged from this
company prior to August and referred 70
in your communication, was discharged
because he was member Of your order.
The immediate superiors Of each OF said
persons reported to the division superin-
tendent, or the superintendent Of motive
power, in each case, good and sufficient
cause for the discharge OF such persons
and am informed that the division super
iltendent or the superintendent of motive
power investigated each case prior 10 the
discharge, and the facts OF such discharge
having been reported TO the management
of the company they were further investi-
gated, and the action Of the division super
inteudent or the superintendent OF motive
power fully approved. The management
Of the road do not deem II consistent with
its continuance and prosperity in business
and with the discharge Of the duties it
owes to the people, TO submit the propriety
of its action in the discharge Of any Of its
employees To arbitration.
have read your communication with
care and think the foregoing answers
the points presented by you aud defines
the position Of this company.
II. WALTER WEBB