The National tribune., 1890-08-28

Ii Bids Fair TO Extend Throughout the Entire
Mesi

AS was mentioned in our issue of Aug ii,
the strike which was inaugurated by tho men
employed in the yard of tho New York Central
and Erc~Road and the Harlem River Road, aud
which has been growing in extent each day,
now bids fair to extend through all the lines
connected with the Vanderbilt System The
cause of the strike is claimed by tho knights
OF Labor to be the fact that old and experienced
workmon have been discharged for the reason
that they belong to that organization alone,
while Third Vice President Webb, of the New
York Central states that these men wero dis
charged, in the Judgment of the company, for
good and sufficient reasons.
The railroad company during the past week
have been running few passenger trains and
some freight trains with the assistance of
Plnkcrton detectives, who have created con-
siderable feeling with the public in favor of
the strikers by the wQnton use Of their Win
chester rifles. Several people have been
wounded, many of them innocent spectators,
one woman being seriously injured by n rifle
ball from the gun of one of these detectives
while standing in her own door
There have been efforts made on the part Of
the strikers for arbitration, they going so far
as to enlist the services Of General Master
Workman Powderly and the Executive Board
OF the Knights of Labor, and besides this have
enlisted the State Board of Arbitration appoint
ed by the Governor of the State of New York.
10 the appeals of these people NiCo-President
Ncbb has turned deaf ear, and would have
nothing TO do with them, saying in substance
that the Now York Central Company knew
how to manage its own affairs better than
anybody, aud did not propose that any man or
any set of men, whether organized as knights
OF Labor or not, should control tho company's
business.
In consequence Of these facts the mon who
arc organized in various labor unions along the
entire Vanderbilt system have been in a con-
slant state of excitement for two weeks, and n
crisis IS rapidly approaching. On Sunday last
thero was session of a committee of three ap-
pointed by the Supreme Council of the Rail
way Employees Federation, 10 draw up n doCu
ment which will either order n general strike
on all the Vanderbilt lines, or it may simply
content itself by conforming Vice. President
Webb approving tho course Of Mr.. POwderly,
and allowing the knights to fight it out for
themselves. The committee has been in session
IN Ierro Haute, Ind, and have been so close
mouthed that il has been utterly impossible to
lind out what was happening, even with an
army of newspaper correspondents lowering
about them all the time Grand Secretary
Dcbbs, OF the Fircmans' Association, is supposed
10 be at the head Of the committee, while Mr..
Dowhcy, of the Switchmen and Morrissoy, Of
the ITainmcn, who compose the committee,
have gotten Mr.. Dgbbs to formulate tho report.
The Chicago railroad managers arc preparing
be in a position, If at all possible TO prevent
anything serious happening as far as the move
meut OF trains Is concerned They evidently
think that big fight is on hand.
Everything is quiet in New York City and
Albany, and very few Of the strikers arc to be
seen in tho ncighborh0od Of the railroads
They arc acting in n quiet but determined
manner and the sympathy of the public is un-
doubty on the side Of the knights of Labor
The number Of men now engaged in the strike
reaches into the thousands and should tho
other men engaged in considering this matter
be called out, an army as big as that which
sherman marched to tho sea would take part
IN the strike. 1t is TO bo hoped that Vice
President Webb may change his tactics aud
allow arbitration 70 take place.
AT a big meeting held in London, Eng, at |
winch 1000 lahoring men were present, rcsolu- |
tons Of sympathy were unanimously adopted /
Tor the American knights of Labor.
As we go to press news comes that the United |
Order Of Railroad Employees. better known AS
the Federation, have concluded, through their /
" Council Of Twelve" to have nothing TO do |
with the strike They tender great sympathy |
TO the Knights OF Labor, but Will not aid them |
by leaving their places. This will have ten
Iency to make the strike collapse as tho |
knights depended on these men for assistance, /
both IN money and by striking with them.