River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-08-28
only few Knights in the employ of
/ the New York Central


preme council of the federation can
find no grievance upon which to order
strike, yet it has censured the New
York Central and its officials. They
also decline TO give any support to the
strikers. but appeal to the public to
furnish it. This, think, embodies all
that have to say"
1t is now said here that possibly the
next move of the Knights would be to
boycott the road. In case a boycott is
declared it is also said that the inter-
State commerce commission will I'M
doubtedly be requested to investigate
the matter with a view of proceeding
against Mr.. Powderly, the general ex-
ecutive board aud the master workmen
of the district and local assemblies of
the knights of Labor.
ALBANY, n. ", Aug. 26.-The gen.
eral executive board of the Knights OF
Labor held sessions here Monday, to-
gether with district assembly No 246.
Mr.. Powderly closely questioned every
delegate present who had been dis
charged from the employ of the
New York Central road There
were about twenty of these.
road for from three to twenty years.
They denied that intoxication or in
competency could be truthfully put
forth as a cause for the discharge of
any OF them. Three of them said they
would make affidavit to the fact that
previous to their discharge they had
been asked by an official of the road
whether they were Knights of Labor
and had replied in the affirmative.
Their discharge followed Immediately
after. 1t is claimed many facts were
brought out which tended to show
that the discharges we're the result of
preconcerted plan to drop all the prom
inent leaders in the circle of the
Knights.
Mr.. Powderly said it had been charged
that the Knights of Labor was for
eign organization" and this strike was
the result of their Vaccinations. He
asked all the delegates present who
were born under the American flag to
stand up. Sixty-seven delegates arose,
and when those born abroad were asked
to rise ten men responded.
preamble and resolution were
adopted calling upon the State Board of
Arbitration to order prompt investi-
CATION of the existing difficulties, say
ing that the strikers were ready and
anxious for one. Mr.. Devlin was in
structed to inform the Board of Arbitra-
ton of the above action and departed
to perform his mission.
At the Office of the board in the cap
itol the secretary informed Mr.. Devlin
that meeting of the board had been
called for Thursday, but that he would
inform the members of the nature Of
his visit Mr.. Devlin said that the
general executive board were in po-
sition to make a good case and anxious
ly awaited an inquiry.
Before the meeting adjourned Messrs.
Powderly and Devlin addressed the
delegates, outlining the course which
would be pursued in case the federation
did not order general strike. They
also dwelt upon the means at the com
mand of the order to support this strike
and said that the major part of the
money would be furnished willingly by
the Knights all over the country. The
conference then adjourned sine die.
A BIG MAss-MEETING.
ALBANY, n. V. Aug. &c. The mass
meeting at the rink Monday night was
one of the largest labor gatherings ever
seen in this city. Fully 1000 men at
tended. Addresses were male by
Messrs. Devlin, Wright, Mcguire and
Powderly. The latter was received
with perfect tumult of applause.
He advised moderation in speech and
action. The strike was already won
and he proclaimed it victory. No
man could say the cause was wrong.
Justice was with the men and with JUS
tice came public sentiment. and that
was what was wanted, for some day in
the near future that public sympathy
would knock at the State capital and
show that the State had acquired the
rails of the road through this strike.
The right of way was given the Central
road through Albany for a lease OF
Sc, 600 year. But that lease could not
be found 1t was stolen, and a Knight
of Labor had not stolen it. He said
that the loss on dressed beef alone
on the road was $1,000, 900 by
actual count, while other accounts
would foot up to 81, 900. 900, and so it
was time for Mr.. Webb to call off his
strike. He referred to the State Board
of Mediation and Arbitration, and called
upon them to commence an investiga-
ton. The cause of the railroad men
was the cause of all, as was proved by
the immense gathering.
Mr. Powderiy then asked if any men,
Der of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Eng .neers was present If there was
one he spoke to him, and he called upon
that order to array themselves on the
side Of labor despite their unworthy
chief. II was not until T. nj.
Arthur took charge that such
nefarious doings were made pub
| lie The order must soon show its
hand despite it's bribed chief. He ex-
planned that the Reading strike was
not a cause of grievance with the en-
gineers, for the Knights had not only
kept their hands off but had helped
them.
The Central road was refusing freight,
although it was the law of the State
that they should take all freight offered.
! The law should descend, and, instead of
calling out the militia seize the road for
refusing to do its duty. He called upon
the men not to stop until the Pinkertons
are driven out by legislation. He hoped
they would persevere in their work
and go on as they have done despite
other organizations refusal to help.
AT the conclusion of his remarks Mr..
Powderly offered the following resolu-
tlon, which was adopted by storm of
| unanimous approval:
"Res0L0ed, That il is the of this meet
| ing that the introduction of armed force in
| the State of New York in a time Of peace is an
outrage against the laws of State, is in
| violation Of every law Of humanity, and should
be forever stopped at the next session of the
/ Legislature of New York State"
| After the mass-meeting Mr. Powder
| ly and his associates repaired again to
/ the Stanwix Hall, where meeting of
the general executive board was held to
decide on division of labor for Messrs.
| Hayes, Holland, Wright and Devlin in
caring for the future of the strike.
FATAL SMASH-UP.
Three Lives Lost in Collision Between
Trains at Mullen, Neb.
| OMAHA. Neb, Aug. 26.-At Mullen, a