The sun., 1890-08-19
linGs. There will be nothing then to


tion are all involved ip this contest The policy
OF the Order OF the Knights Of Labor is to work
peacefully in the line of educational and leRis-
lRtivo reform Il Is not the policy OF the lnstl-
tuition nc matter what it's enemies may say, to
enter hastily upon strikes. The present strike
may be pointed to in refutatlon OF that last as
sertion. but until an Investigation into the
cause or causes is had that must remain dis
putod question, while the hundreds Of cases
that have been quietly and peacefully
adjusted through the Intervention OF
the Knights Of Labor. although not
heralded broadcast as they would have been
had they ended in strikes. proved that our aim
Is to avoid strikes rather than to precipttate
them. The interests Of tho public require that
freight and passenger trafno should work
smoothly. The interests Of the company re-
quire exactly the Same thing. and in addition.
that such trsfflo proves remunerative. The In
toreste OF working people are the Same as the
others but their right to organize and select
the organization they wish to belong to Ia
fully as dear to them as their peouniarv inter-
ests can possibly be.
Here ia an organization, the aim Of which is
to work for educational and legislative adyan-
tages called upon to defend Its members, who
up to the time OF their dismissal had worked
only In educational and legislative directions.
Surely we have q right to question why they
were discharged. Each man. no matter how
humble, is as much part Of the public as any
other man. True. the N. Y. G. and Il. II. R r. 10
tributary TO the comfort and well-being Of the
community, but the community gives to the
corporation in question its strength and wealth.
and Of that community at least two-thisrds are
working people. belong to that same element
Of society that dare not organize for their own
welfare. Some one has said since this strike
began: Money IL not everything In this
world He was railroad director. be-
lievo. He spoke truly. for liberty 10 far
dearer to the laborer. and that IL what
no struggles for-That is what 10 de-
MED him when he is discharged for being
q Knight OF Labor. II liberty was once valued
90 highly that men offered mp life and treasure
and.sacred. honor to gain II. surely their chill
dren should not be blamed for striking for It
Whether they struck wisely or not in this case
is yet to bO determined. Who is to determine
You may feel that you are right the men may
feel that they are right: both are partisans,
and II an impartial verdict is to bo reached
impartial mon must arrive at 1t by hearing
both sides and then judging. The imon are
willing to submit the case to fsuoh arbitra-
ton. and will not be unreasonable. VIII you
consent to do the ssmef If you will agree to
submit this matter to arbitration We can meet
parties may be selected.
".The newspapers reportsyou as refusing to
admit that arbitration can enter into the set
Element 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 arbitration.
will return to the city as soon as can meet
my ENGAGEMENTS, and II you will kindly ad-
dress me at St. Cloud Hotel 1t will be carefully
attended to and placed before me on my ro-
turn. remain. very truly yours.
IT. V. PowDERLY.
&c. N. W. Z. OF L"
Within three-ouarters OF an hour after his
receipt Of this letter Mr.. Webb. after consul
tstion with Mr.. Loomts. general counsel OF the
railroad company. dictated this reply:
NEW York. Au.. 10. 1890.
NJ. r. y Popdersp, St Cloud Hotel ". i.
DEAR SIR: I have received this morning the
Communication OF date Aug. IT, 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 the service OF
this company prior to Aug. 8. and referred to
In your communication. was discharged be-
cause he was a member OF your order.
The Immediate superIors Of each Of said per-
sons reported to the division SUPERINTENDENT or
the superintendent Of motive power, in each
caso good and sufficient cause for the dis
charge of such persons; and am informed
that the division superintendent or the
SUPERINTENDENT Of motive power Investigated
each case prior to the discharge. and the facts
OF such discharge having been reported to the
management OF the company they were fur
ther investigated. and tho action OF the division
superintendent or the superintendent OF mo-
tive power fully approved.
Tho management Of this company do not
deem It 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 It's employees to arbitration.
have read your communication with care.
and think the foregoing answers the points
presented by you and defines the position Of
this company. Yours. 60
H. WALTER WEBD, Third Vice President
Mr.. Webb said to q Sun reporter last night
after giving out the letters:
"I don't know that oan add much to what
have written. We are In this fight to stay. We
will not arbitrate. We will fight Some Of our
men have been discharged for cause and we
will neither take them back nor submit to ar
btration our reasons for discharginR them.
They were not discharged because they were
knights OF Labor. That We have stated again
OF all right minded mon In our course.
Messrs. Wright and Holland Of the Executive
Board were unaware OF the nature OF MIR.
Webb's reply to Mr.. Powderly's letter until
informed late last evening by the reporters.
They were unwilling to discuss It, and said
that nothing could be done in the matter until
Mr.. Powderly returned. Mr.. Wright said:
II expect the chief and the Supreme Coun-
Gil OF the Federation at IL 80 tomorrow morn
ing. As soon as they arrive they will go into
session and will probably confer with the
General Executive Board OF the Knights.
have no doubt that they will take prompt ac-
tion. From what ! have heard OF Mr.. Webb's
letter. think that Mr.. Powderly has tho best
Of the dispute so far"
When asked II there was any possibility OF
the Supreme Council ordering general strike,
he said
II cannot say what will be done. Should
they take that action. I think We could keep
the road tied up for year or 3d."
THE TROUBLE AZ ALBANY.
Concerning the shooting OF people at Albany
by the Pinkerton men on Sunday Mr.. Webb