The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-21
DECLARATION OF WAR
Young Mr.. Webb Insults the
Leaders of Labor.
UNIONS ACCEPT HIS DEFIANCE.
Not tho Knighfs Of Labor Alone, But
the Great Federation Of Railroad
Employees Will Strike.

NEW YORK, Aug. 20.-Powderiy and
Devlin. of the executive board of the
Knights OF Labor, called on Webb this
evening. Toucey was with Webb. and the
four gentlemen had an interview which
lasted twenty minutes. The offer of Pow
derby to submit the matter to arbitration
Webb refused, on the ground that the
matter was already settled. In other
words, he said. the company was not
jumping on the Knights OF Labor. They
did not discharge the men because they
were Knights of Labor, but for good rea-
sons. Neither Depew nor Vanderbilt was
opposed to the Knights Of Labor as an or
ganization.
Powderly once more urged that the mat
ter be arbitrated, but Webb remained firm.
Deviin asked Webb if he would consent to
an investigation of the causes surrounding
the discharge of the men. Webb reiterated
that there was nothing to investigate; that
the company was managing the road, and
that ne did not see why their action should
be questioned.
Devlin then asked him il he did not owe
the public and the employees of the road
any duty regarding its management, in
which all were more or less interested.
Webb did not reply. Deviin then said
there was no use in further discussing the
matter. as the railroad company had de.
clared themselves in favor of an independ-
ent course.
Toucey then said that Master Workman
Lee was primarily responsible for the
strike. Devlin asked Toucey if he would
waive the question of Lees action and re-
consider the discharge OF other men. Tou-
cey and Webb retired and that ended the
conference.
Powderly and Devlin then withdrew with
out making any threats or intimatlng what
they intended TO do.
Webb gives this version of the interview
and said the whole conference was carried
on in the most pleasant manner. At this
hour, 9:45 p. m, the situation at the depot
is unchanged.
Powderly states that the strike has ceased
to be one of local assemblies, and has be-
come one of the whole organization, and it
will use every means in its power to con-
tinue the fight He intimates that the Fed
Grafton of Railroad Employees will support
the movement The situation is serious.
Grand Master Sargent, president of the
council and chief OF the fremen's organi-
cation, has ordered a meeting of the SUI
preme council Saturday at Terre Haute,
for the consideration of the question of the
New York Central strike Whether this
move means that the council must go
through certain formalities before general
strike can be declared. or whether or not
strike will be declared at all, remains to be
seen.
Sargent said that at the Terre Haute
meeting he would lay the whole case be-
fore the council. He fully endorsed the
position OF the executive board.
1.-THE executive board" said Powderly
tonight. "says to the Knights of Labor and
the public that the position finally assumed
by the company makes it necessary for
them to vindicate the right of labor to or
ganize by prosecuting the strike to the
bitter end"
When the ominous condition of affairs
made it plain late tonight that the strike
of all the employees of the New York Gen.
trail would without doubt be ordered either
tonight or in the morning, reporter went
to the Grand Central depot to
interview Railroad Officials Webb
and Voorhees,, who for the present
sleep there. Both had retired to the i'm
provised cots, and were clad in their night
clothes. After rubbing their eyes to get
the sleep out of them. they received the
reporter cordially. Webb said he con-
sidered that the strike was declared in
the belief that the Central management
was opposed to the Knights of Labor He
wished to reiterate the statement that this
was not the truth. When told that a strike
over the whole road would be declared to-
night or tomorrow, Webb said that in spite
of all the road would run all its trains in
the morning as usual Neither he nor Voor-
bees appeared much depressed. He wished
the public to know that he had no official
notice from Powderly OF the strike, and
said that all this time the company had
not been lying idle. When told the strike
meant all the employees but the engineers,
he appeared somewhat startled. Neither
he nor Voorhees, made any comment
thereon.
Powderly, when asked tonight what
would be the next move, said it had not
been determined, but he would tomorrow
issue an appeal to the mechanics and all
other employees of the Central Hudson sys-
TEN and connecting lines. The document
will be based upon the refusal of the CON-
pany to arbitrate the difficulties, and will
call upon them to stop work at once. At
ter that the ST. Cloud hotel seemed barren
of incident. A few reporters lounged around
waiting vainly for the labor leaders 10 re-
turn. The usual attendance of subordi-
nate Knights of Labor ceased. The few
that came in disappeared quickly again.
bound on secret errands
Sargent. Sweeney and Howard will leave
at an early hour for Terre Haute, TO at
tend the supreme council.
r hayo tai-a,,
today. 'has been approved by Vanderbilt,
Depew and others high In the councils of
the company" Webb said he could not
see why of all others the fremen strike.
They were, he said, better paid
on the Central than any other line.
Speaking of the connecting lines, he re-
marked that he was in constant commune
cation with their chief officers and the Bee
Line, Lake Shore and every linked railroad
was prepared for a strike if it came.
hayes. OF the executive board, said to-
night that no more news would be given
out tonight. Whatever the executive board
decided upon would be known only in re-
suits until tomorrow. The board will con-
unue in session all night
A few minutes after midnight Powderly.
Hayes and Holland left the St. Cloud hotel
and walked over toward the Grand Central
depot. Here was the mystery. The
labor leaders sank out of sight
somewhere about the depot. The mid
night express on the Central went ont
as usual. showing that the apparently
lated hour was not midnight. In the depot
are encamped seventy-five brakemen and
the same number of switchmen. sunnosed
70 De there Tor any emergency that might
come up.