The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-08-29
KNIGHTS APPEAL.
Powderly Makes a Statement
of the Cause of the
Strike.
The Executive Board Have nc
Alternative But to Stand
by the Men.

NEW YORK, Aug. 2l.-This day has been
to the labor leaders here like q pause in
battle. Rather say. it has been to them n
day ofpreparation after the declaration and
before the sct-to. Never before las
Mr.. Powdcrly, the head Of the knights,
been personally in the heat of u
contest like the one believed to be
coming. He never yet has ordered q strike,
and feels some pride III the record of peace
which he feels is his. There's little doubt,
however, about his determination in this
case. His men say he is here to stay, and
TIE executive board says its headquarters
during the strike, il one is ordered, will be
in this city.
Itis clear that Mr.. Powdcrly and his
cabinet intend, if the strike is made general,
that the responsibility shall be. brought
just us close as possible to the rank and file.
This purpose underlies the orders of the
board to Master Workman Lee to convene
his district assembly, also the order which
has gone up the river to Albany
to convene their district assembly
OH Monday. At these meetings
the local assemblies will voice their dispo-
sition as to general strike, and the result
will be that fair consensus of opinion
among the men may be had. The Fedora
tion's supreme body will not meet till Sat
urday, and will probably communicate its
determination to the Knights here that
night or Sunday. The Albany dis
trict assembly, whose action
will be influential in the evil
dent plan laiA out by Mr.. Powderly to
make the men themselves declare the strike
general, does not meet till Monday. us
stated. The fair conclusion from the facts
and circumstances is that the grand strike,
week. To-day Mr.. Powdcrly has been pre-
pairing the following, which he makes pub.
lie tonight:
THE STATEMENT.
For some time the management of the New
York Central d Hudson River rnilroud have
in labor affairs. 1t happens that all OF those
WHO have been dismissed are melnbcrs Of the
order Of knights of Labor and have at one
time or another beer, oilicerss OF the
order or have served on committees
which waited on the Officials with II view to pre-
senting grievances. These discharges became so
frequent and We're so clearly evidence OF IL Set
tied purpose on the part OF the company to dis
rupt, and destroy the organization OF the
knights of Labor upon the Central system
that the executive board Of District, Assembly no.
240 In Which the Knights OF labor upon
the system are enrolled found IL necessary to
call II special meeting in New York to consider
ecutive hoard. having been nprrised OF the coll
dition OF affairs. sent one Of its members, ]. j.
Holland, to New York, with Instructions to Use
ull possible efforts to secure an amic:lhle adjust
mcnt of the difficulties. Arriving in New York,
MIR. Holland, after II conference with the repre-
sentativeS of the district assembly, in the
course OF which he obtained a iull knowledge of
the trouble from the standpoint OF the men,
waited upon II. Walter Webb. third vice pres
dent and acting manager OF the company. On
being isliercd into the presence OF Mr. Webb Mr.
Holland stated that lie had called upon him to
endeavor to adjust the unpleasumtiess existing
between the company and its Knights OF La
Dor employees. Mr.. Webb denied that there
and its employees Mr.. Holland told him that
he, as n member OF the general executive board
OF the Knights cf Labor. had come at the re-
quest OF tho men made through the org:lniza-
ton to which they belonged, district assembly
2i6 MIR. Webb declared that lie would hot dis
cuss the matter with any one not an cmploye
OF the company and closed the interview.
In conclusion MIR. powdcrly says:
The Knights of Labor hold themselves in
readiness now and will continue To hold them
selves ready to yield to the will OF he public in
tins matter. The company. ON the Other hand,
the u' men r'iii s, in n' the emrloy mI'I 'sa Of
the New York Central and Hudson River rail
road whether it be not to heir interest to stand
dcate the common rights to organize. The
general hxecutire board will conduct
this contest with all of their .bi,i, y
within the law and without vio-
lence. TO do this We require funds
that MT once. Public spirited citizens who re,
liberty fund In aid of lie striking employees Of
the New York Central ~ Hudson River railroad.
Send all contributions to John W. Hayes, No.
3ll North Broad street, Philadelphia, Ia.