Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-08-26
THE FEDERATloN's MANIFESTO

Bitter DsmunoiNtIon of the Central aud
Endorsement of the knights of Labor.
TERRE HAuTE, Ind, Aug. 25.-Follow
ing is the manifesto of the Federation
HEADQUARTERS OF THE
SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE UNITED ORDE"
OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind, Aug. 26. 1890.
To all labor organizations.
MEN AND BROTHERS.: On the night of
August 8, a strike began on the N. Y.
:. & H. r. R. R. involving about 5000
men in the employ of the said road
who were members of q great labor or
ganization known as the Knights of
of Labor. The reason set forth by Mr..
T. V. Powderly, chief executive of the
Order, may be summarized as follows:
The peremptOry discharge of between
so and 60 men, employees of the road
and members of the Knights of Labor
because they were Knights of Labor
without giving them any reason what
ever for the discharge.
Prior to the strike the men involved
sought, through the representatives of
the Order, to have their grievances ad-
justed, but their appeal being disre-
garded a strike was iuaugurated. At
this juncture T. V. Powdely, General
Master Workman Of the Knights of
Labor, entered upon the task of adjust
ing the differences and of making such
arrangements as would result in an
honorable peace between the employees
and the officials of the road, but his
efforts were unavailing. Mr.. Powderly
compromising the purpose of Walter
Webb, third vice president of the com
pany, to make war upon the Knights
of Labor and ultimately upon all labor
organizations represented on his road,
sought a conference with the Supreme
Council of the United Order of Railway
Employees.
The request of Mr.. Powderly was
granted to the extent that four members
of the Council and the Chief Executive
of the Federation met him in the city
of Buffalo, viz: F. P. Sargent, Grand
Master of the Brotherhood of Locomo.
tive Firemen and president of the Su-
preme Council; George w. Howard,
Grand Chief of the Brotherhood of Rail-
way Conductors and vice-president of
the Supaeme Council; S. E. Williamson,
Grand Master of the Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen, and Frank Sweeney,
Grand Master of the Switchmsn's Mu-
tual Aid Association. At the confer
snce with Mr.. Powderly at Buffalo the
members of the Supreme Council be-
came satisfied that the officials of the
road by every confederation of fair and
*
tions, should meet Mr.. Powdsrly and
adopt some just plan for the adjust
ment of the grievance of the striking
employees. This conclusion having been
reached, the mem bers of the Supreme
Council in response to the request of
Mr.. Powderly extended their journey
to the city of New York to afford such
aid as was in their power to bring about
a settlement between Walter Webb,
fhirl vim iIa,,t Of he
that official having full authority in
all matters pertaining to the strike,
and I. V. Powderly, General Master
Workman of the Knights of Labor, hav-
ing the authority to negotiate such ar
rangements as might end the dispute.
An interview having been secured, Mr..
Powderly sought to have the discharged
men heard in their own defense in the
presence of Mr.. Webb and himself.
This fair and honorable proposition
was refused. Mr.. Powderly proposed
arbitration which was also refused.
There were other propositions made by
Mr.. Powderly having Cor their object
the settlement of the trouble, all of
which were refused on the part of Mr..
Webb.
The members of the Supreme Council
while in Buffalo and the city of New
York had ample opportunities to thor
matters concerning the strike. They
saw and heard both sides. They ap-
preciated the gravity of the situation
aud compromising impending conse.
quences to thu labor organizations
deemed it advisable to convene the Su-
preme Council for elaboration and
conclusion as facts would warrant. In
response to the order of F. p Sargent,
president of the Supreme Council, that
body was convened in the city of Tsrre
Haute, Ind, on Saturday, the Esd day
of August, and remained in session I'M
til Monday, the 25th.
In making their report to the Coun-
oil, the members who went to New
York with Mr.. Powderly found ell the
statements made by him corroboratSd
by facts. In an interview with Mr..
Webb he refused TO entertain any propo-
sition looking for q settlement of the
difficulty. He would not arbitrats any
question nor make any explanation or
concaasiou with regard to the diaS