The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-23
LATEST FROM THE STRIKE.
Commissioner Donovan Urges Webb an'
Powderiy to Compromise.


NEW YoRH, Aug. 22.-Commissioncr Don
oyan this afternoon sent the following letter
to Yice-President Webb:
"ft having come 10 the knowledge Of the
state Board OF Mediation and Arbitration
that another strike is seriously threatened
on the lines OF your company, ' am IN
structed by the Board 10 again c0minuni-
cate with YOU and invite a Joint conference
in the offices Of your company between
YOU and representatives of your employees,
with view Of deyising some means, either
by arbitration or such other method as may
be mutually agreed upon, whereby the
threatened strike may be avoided, and alb
rupt interruption Of travel aud transporta-
ton of freight be prevented
A similar letter was sent to Mr.. Powder
ly.
VICE-PREsIDENT's WEBS REPLY.
The following letter is Vice-fresident
Webb's reply to Commissioner Donovan:
81 have received your letter OF TINS date.
As is well known to you and to the puOlic'
a large number of persons recently and sud
denly quit the service Of this company, and
with but few exceptions have not applied
for re-employment, but are engaged IN hold
inc meetings, cOnterring with the 0lncia''
of the order known as the knights OF LABOR
and other labor organizations, and seeking
to prevent ljy persuasion, threats, lntlml-
dations and in other ways the continuance
in lawful employment OF the persons VINO
did not leave the cOmpany's service, and Of
others who have been employed in the place
of those who did.
This constitutes the existing strike. and
the further strike referred % by you VIII or
will not take place a. the efforts OF tne per-
I..tN llan
not meet with with success. | believe that
such efforts will fail.
The oneratiug force Of this company II
full. The passenger service of the company
Is regularly performed, and there Is no OBJ
.truction TO its freight service except law
less interference and the apprehension
thereof.
am not aware of any difference or grleV-
ances existing between the company ana
lis emplOyCs, and must assume that the
conference suggested by you as between the
officers of the company and the representa-
tiyes of our employees is conference sug-
0e-ted between the officers Of the company
and the officials Of the knights OF LABOR
These officials represent not our employees,
but persons who have left our service anu
have net asked to be re-emplOyed' DuI
who. through these same officials OF hhlEh-
of Labor, have asked that the discharge Dl
the company of certain persons prior 10 the
Sth of August be submitted 10 their inVesli,
ration and 10 arbitration by some Tribunal
ID be selected IN some way, request Whicn
have felt 1t myduty 10 decline. ot course
we deprecate any interruption to traNei or
DELAY in the transportation OF frelght upon
the lines Of this or any other COM
uanv. shall take every means III my
power 10 prevent such an occurrence, ana
If the constituted authorities prevent law
loss interference with our operatives, DO
not anticipate any interruption of our pas
sencnr or freight trafic. For the above
reason. it seems to me inappropriate ana
unnecessary To have the conference sug-
gested by YOU"
WHAT MIR. POwDERLY SAYS.
Tho following is Mr.. POwderly's reply TO
.ta,a-CommissiOner DOnOyan's letter: 81
take Measure in acknowledging the receipt
of voilr letter i'm which the general eNecu-
tive hoard of the Knights Of Labor are IL
yited tO a general conference with tue OF
fciols Of the New York Central railroad.
Our board are willing 10 comply WIN
yomr request. and hold themselves
in readines to respond at moment police
We hold ourselves in readiness 10 40 an
honorable thing to terminate the strihe' anu
sincerely hope that either arbitration OF
.mch other modes may be agreed upon az
viii have the desired effect, recognizing III
YOU an officer of the state, ana as9ui il Z
you that we have from the beginning been
willing ana anxious 10 submit lhe i'i'''''
to your board for adjustment.