Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-19
STRIKE CORRESPONDENCE.
Mr.. Powderly to MIR. Webb and Mr..
Webb to Mr.. Powderiy.

The bulky letter that Messrs. Holland and
Wright, in behalf Of the executive board Of the
Knights Of Labor, handed to Vice President
Webb Of the New York Central yesterday noon
was a letter from Mr.. Powderly. The answer
was not long in reaching the St. Cloud Hotel,
addressed to Mr.. Powderly. It was received by
Messrs. Holland and Wright, who said they
would keep it unopened until Mr.. Powderly's
return. They expected him to reach New
York this morning, in company with the chief
Of the grand council Of the Federation Of Rail-
way Employees.
On the part Of the railroad there was more
readiness to make public the correspondence.
Vice President Webb waited. however, until
ample time had passed for Mr.. Powderly to
learn the answer Of the company to his last
letter, and then late last night he gave out
copies OF the communications which had passed
from one side TO the other. In all there we're
four letters The first, written Saturday, was
addressed by Mr.. Powderly to Mr.. Webb. In
it the writer explained that he had been in
quiring into the causes of the strike that he
would esteem it a favor were he granted an in
terview with Mr.. Webb, to discuss with him
the question OF arbitrating the differences OF
the company and those Knights Of Labor who
were discharged from its service prior to Au-
gust g.
In his reply of the same date Mr.. Webb sug-
gested that as some of the reports OF inter-
views he had had with Messrs. Holland, Hayes
and Donovan were exaggerated, Mr.. Powderly
put whatever he wished to say in writing. II
the general master workman desired n personal
interview Mr.. Webb was ready to arrange for
one at the time named The next letter was
the one delivered to Mr.. Webb yesterday. 1t
ran as follows:
To n. Waite, Webb, Third Vice President Ne,c
York Central and Hudson Ricer Railroad:
. DEAR SIR: On receipt of your communication
last evening determined to call upon you to-
morrow morning, for personal interview is
much more satisfactory than correspondence
can possibly be. Since then l have been called
away from the city, and l am obliged to COM
NIT to paper what l would rather discuss with
You in person.
If am correctly informed. old and faithful
employees of the New York Central and Hudson
River railroad have been summariv dismissed
from the service OF the company because they
were members of and active in the knights of
Labor. 1t is represented to me that up TO the
time OF their discharge they were faithful to
the interests of the company, and that not one
mark OF discredit stands against the industrial
record of any of those who we're discharged
statement of the men. The frequency Of the
dismissals left but little room for doubt in the
minds OF the men that they were all in danger
OF discharge at a moments notice, and hence
the strike.
The whole question hinges upon the dis
charge Of the Knights of Labor because they
are such. If it can be shown that these men
were working injury to their employers right
minded men will say that they were treated as
they deserved. If they were discharged for
cause the New York Central and Hudson River
Railroad Company has everything to gain and
nothing to lose from an Investigation. II
they deserved dismissal from the serv-
&c of the company none of US will
ask for their reinstatement If, how
ever, they we're displaced because Of their con-
nection with the knights of Labor, it should
be known, for If 1t is TO be the policy of the
New York Central and Hudson River Railroad
Company that no members of the knights of
Labor are to be employed then n statement to
that effect will clear up ali doubts and there
can be no future MISUNDERSTANDING; there will
be nothing more then to arbitrate so long as
you hold to that opinion.
The interests of the public the interests of
the owners of the company you represent and
the rights of men to organize for self-pro-
lection are all involved in this contest. The
policy Of the order of the knights of Labor is
to work peacefully in the line Of educational
and legislative REFORM it is not the policy of
the institution, no matter what its enemies
may say to enter hastily upon strikes. The
present strike may be pointed to in refutation
OF that last assertion.
II liberty once valued SO highly that men
offered up life and treasure and sacred honor to
gain it, surely their children should not be
blamed for striking for it-whether they struck
wisely or not In this case is yet to be deter
mined. Who is to determine! You may feel
that you are right, the men may feel that they
ere right; both are partisans, and if an impair
tlal verdict Is to be reached impartial men
must arrive at it by hearing both sides and
then judging. The men are willing to submit
will m hp
unreasonable. Will you consent to the sameI
Ii you Will agree to submit this matter TO arbi-
tration, we can meet to arrange the details and
agree to how the parties may be selected.
The newspapers report you as refusing to
admit that arbitration can enter into the settle
ment of the trouble, but your letter leads me
to believe that you were msquo.ed, and still
hope for a speedy termination OF the strike
through arbitration.
will return to tine city as soon as 1 can NEE,
my engagements, and if you will kindly address.
me at st. Cloud Hotel it will be carefully
attended to and placed before me on my return
lremain. very trulyyour T.V. PowDERLY,
General Master Workman knights of Labor
New York, August H. 1880
Mr.. Webb's reply was as follows:
TO Mr.. 4. y. PoUdTly, 81. Cloud Hotel. Ne,r
York:
DEAR SIR: l have received this morning the
communication of date August II, addressed t.
me by you as the general master workman oil
the order OF knights of Labor
Replying thereto. L have to say that no one
OF the persons discharged from the service of
this company prior to August 8, and referred Il
III your communication, was scharged because
he was a member of your order.
The Immediate superiors of each OF said per
sons reported to the division superintendent OIL
the superintendent of the motive power IL
each case good and sufficient cause for the dis.
charge OF such persons, and l am informed
that the division superintendent or the super
intendent of the motive power Investigated
each case prior to the discharge, and the fac Is
Of such discharge having been reported to the
management of the company they were further
investigated and the action Of tho division
superintendent or the superintendent of motive
power fully approved.
The management of this company do mo-
deem it consistent with Its continuance anG
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 o.
any of its 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,
II. WALTER WEBB,
Third Vice President