New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-19


communication with the leaders OF the other branches
OF the railroad employees, the members OF when haVc
I'D TO this time refused whole to Join the S"ivoH
men ia the strike. The result OF his kilograms was
the appointment Of the meeting at Buffalo yeSerudS
morning. In spite of his earnest esire to oid
personal interview with Mr.. Webb, Mr. PoWdery 'ooA
the O'Clock train for Buffalo that evening ana uieh
sent letter giving in brief his side OF the case as
has been presented TO him by the strikers Inc icU
was carried to Mr.. Webb yesterday morning ny
J. j. Holland and A. W. Wright, members OF tle
General Executive Board They were receiver
couraous,v nv Mr. Webb but they did not enter into
anv conversation with him about the strike. Here
is Mr.. Powderly's letter.
On receipt OF your communication last evening de-
termncd to call upon you tomorrow morning iof per
sonal interview Is much more SATISFACTORY onsh 0oi0
snondence can possibly be. Since then nave Deeh
,Iod or-.v from the city and obliged to commit 10
,sper what would rather discuss with you In person
70 aim correctly informed old and faithful employees
OF the New.Yorx Central and Hudson River Ranroad nave
been summarly dismissed from the service OF the com
.ny becam,e they we're members and active in the
knights Of Labor. 1t is represented to me that up 10 c
time discharge they were faithful 10 the
Of Che company and that not one mark OF dscfeu sahu
against the Industrial record OF OF those VINO were
dischsrped pror to August s. 1890. That in brlef Is
the statement OF the men, The frequency OF 'he us
missas left little room for doubt In the mihds oil ue
men that they all In danger OF discharge aV mo-
menrs notice and the strike. The whole question
hinges upon the discharge OF knights OF Labor because
bey are such II be shown that these men were
working injury to their employers rightmnoed men VIII
say they treated they deserved ii they were
discharged the New-fork Central ana huusoI
River Railroad Company has everything to gain ana
nothing lose from investigation III they oeseNeu
dismissal the service Of the company none OF us
VIII ask for their reinstatement. If, however they were
displaced OF their connection win the hhehs vi
Labor it known for II it IS to be the policy OF
the New.York Central and Hudson River Railroad Com
pany OF the knights OF Labor are to be
employed statement to that effect will clear up all
doubts and there be no future Observation-Disclosures,
there nothing arbitrate long as you hold
TO that opinion.
Of represent and the rights or men 10
organize for sefproection are all involved in this con-
The policy Of the order of the knights oil LABOR
is wok peacefully in the line OF educational ana
legislative reform the policy Of the institution
no matter what may say to enter hastily upon
strikes present strike be pointed TO in rcta
ton OF assertion but until investigation into
the cause causes, had that must remain disputed
question while the hundreds OF that have been
quietly peacefully adjusted through the intervention
Of the knights Labor although not hcalded broadcast
they would have been had they ended In strikes
proved that is TO avoid strikes rather THAN 10
precipate them The of the public require that
freight passenger traffic should work smoothly the
interests company require exactly the same thing
addition that such traffic proves remuneative the
interests OF working people are the same as the Others but
their right to organize and select the organization they
wish TO belong to is fully dear TO them Is their
peeuniary interests can possibly be.
Here is organization, the aim Of which IS to work
educational and legislative advantages called upon TO
defend its members who to the time OF their dismissal
had worked only In educational and legislative directions
Surely have q right to question why they were dis
charged. Each man, matter Low humble Is as much
part Of the public any other man. True, the New.
York Central and Hudson River Railroad Is tributary 70
the comfort and welbeng OF the community, but the
munty gives the corporation in question It's strength
and wealth. and Of that community at least twothrds are
working people, belong to that element OF society
that organize for their welfare some one
has said since this strike began Money not everything
In this world" He railroad director, L believe
He spoke truly liberty IS far desrer 10 the ab0rer
and that is what struggles for, and that what is
denied him he is discharged for being knight OF
Labor If liberty valued so highly that men
up life and treasure and sacred honor 70 gain IT,
surely their children should not be blamed Tor sIAhg
for IT. whether they struck wisely in this case Is yet 10
be determined Who is to determined You may feel that
you are right the may feel that they right both
are partisan and II impartial verdict Is to be feacheo
impartial arrive at 1t by hearing both sides anu
then judging The willing to submit the case 10
such arbitration will not be Unreasonable VIII you
consent to do the same II you will agree TO submit this
matter to arbitration meet to arrange the deaHs
and agree as to how the parties may be selected
The newspapers report you as refusing 70 AUNT tna'
arbitration can enter the settlement OF the trouble
but your letter leads TO believe that you were mis-
quoted and still hope for speedy termination OF inc
strike through arbitration.
engagements and II you Will kindly address me at 81.
Cloud Hotel it Will be carefully attended to and pac'a
before me on my return III,
This communication was read carefully by the thlFd
president, and when he had finished reaoins ~
he sent the following reply to Mr.. Powderiy 10 The
st. Cloud Hotel:
have received this morning the communication OF date
August addressed 20 by YOU as the Geher Maser
Workman o. the Order OF Knights Of Labor
Replying have TO say that no one OF the per
sons discharged from Of this company prior 10
August g. referred to in your communication was us
charged because he a member OF your order
The immediate suDeors each OF said persons reported
to the division superintendent. or the SUPERINTENDENT
otve mower In each good and sufficient cause for the
discharge Of such and am Informed ts' tle
diytson superin.endent the superintendent OF motive
power investigated each prior to the discharge and
the facts discharge having been reported 70 e
Of they further investigated
and the action Of Che division superintendent or the super
fntendent Of motive power, fully approved
The MANAGEMENT Of this company do not deem u consist
on. with IT'S continuance and prosperity in business ana
with the discharge the duties owes TO the people 10
submit the propety its action in the discharge OF any OF
its cmpl,yes to arbitration ..-,
have read your communication with care ana unihk
the foregoing points presented by YOU ana de-
fines the position OF this company .
Mr. Webb does not now know whether or not MI
Powderly will care to hold an interview WIN nun
when he returns from Buffalo, and he SAID laSt higi'
that such would have been his answer had the strike
been more serious than it was lie added that every
depa,tment in the companys service had been mica
and that all trains were now moving. lie Oh course
did not know what the decision OF the labor leaoers "
pnsalo had been as no hints OF any kind had come
to him. Only few passenger and freight conductors
had gone out, and he did not believe that any more
Of them would follow. The locomotive hremen' he
Thought would stand by the company
In discussing the trouble at Albany On Sunday MT
Webb said
On last wednesday went to Albany myself and sa"
the attnts which were made there move the trains
The road there through several miles OF streets ahc
the trains were moved through mob OF from 5000 V
1000 men and Our men were assaulted ant
.ooad when we tried 10 move trains The Plnkeron
stood It as long they could and when they were as
ssutd Yesterday they retasted One Of our brakemeI
was shot In the boot.
The New.York Central Railroad runs from Albany