The Delta independent., 1890-09-02
ARTHUR SPEAKS.
And Defines the Position of the Engin-
eers in the Present Strike.

OVVo III ttC SuiNSs
NEW YORK. Aug. 27.-The letter
given below was written by p. M. Arthur,
chief engineer Of the Grand Internationa!
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, TO
an engineer on the Third Avenue road.
The letter is in response TO q letter on the
subject Of the New York Central strike
and IL the first utterance Of MIR. Arthur
which fully defines his position toward the
Central strikers and the knights of Labor.
The letter is given herewith in full:
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug. 25.-R. H. Hol-
man, Dear Sir and Brother-Your letter
and other clippings from the New York
papers enclosed is received and contents
carefully perused.
In reply will say that have not received
any letter from Mr.. Powderly. He claims
TO have written me private letter on tho
trouble and wants me TO define my posi-
ton If he considers his letter that ap-
peared in the newspapers private one, l
don't nor will l answer letters that reach
me in that way.
1t is unnecessary for Mr.. Powderly or
anyone else TO ask me 10 define the posi-
tion of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
gineers in the present trouble on the New
York Central and Hudson River railroad.
The policy Of the brotherhood Is well
known TO him and the public, as it has
been repeatedly explained from the pub b.
lie platform and published in the newspa-
pers.
He says: "Some time ago l telegraphed
him (meaning mel that would meet him
in Cleveland, and when arrived there l
could not find him high or low. ! learned
that the telegram had been received by
him. but that my efforts TO locate him were
fruitlcss"
Now the facts In the case, Is near - l
can recollect are these
Some four years ago l received a tele-
gram from Powderly requesting mo to
meet him at the union depot in Cleveland
on the arrival of certain train on the
Lake Shore road. Owing TO my absence
from the office did not receive the mes
sage until after the departure Of the train
and SO informed hin. by letter, addressing
IL TO him at Scranton.
Amy man who tries TO find me when
am in Cleveland can do so with very
little effort, and no man, whether leader
or private In the ranks OF labor, ever
came TO my oflice that he was not treated
oourteously.
While differ with men as 70 the best
methods TO be employed TO secure certain
ends, have always been liberal enough
TO ccncede TO every man the same rights
and privileges ask for myself
When the present trouble on the New
York Central first occurred l advised the
engineers TO abstain from all participation
in IL and TO attend strictly To their own
business. gave the same advice when
the strike occurred on the Gould system a
few years ago. My advice TO the brother
hood Of engineers when men employed in
other branches Of railroad service have
bcen on u strike wss to mind their own
business
Mr.. Powdcrly accuses members Of the
brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers Of
taking the places Of striking tiremen. II
that 10 true, the division Of which they are
members will deal with them. II is not
within the province of my authority TO
deal with individual members. l wonder
n Mr.. Powderly had the Knights expelled
who took the place Of our men on the Chi
cago, Burlington & Quincyi
Yours, fraternalIy,
p. NJ. ARTHUR. g. q. L.