The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-08-26
IN P0WDERLYS FAVOR
The Council Of Federated Railway En-.
plOyeeS ArraisnS Webb
And Issues a Statement on the Gen.
tral Strike-The Knights OF
Labor Declared to Be En-
tlrely I'm the Right.


lows: Headquarters of the supreme coun.
ell of the United Order Of Railway en-
ployes, to all laboring organizations. Men
and brothers: On the night of August a
strike began on the New York Central 4
Hudson River railroad, involving about
SO men in the employ of the same road,
who were members of the great labor or
ganization known as the knights OF
Labor. The reasons set forth by Pow
derly, chief of the executive order, may he
summarized as follows: The peremptory
discharge Of between fifty and sixty men,
employees Of the road and members of the
Knights of Labor without giving them any
reason whatever for their discharge.
Prior TO the strike, the men involved
sought through representatives of the or
der TO have their grievances adjusted,Dut
their appeals being disregarded strike
was inaugurated. Al this juncture,
Powderly, general master workman OF the
knights of Labor, entered upon the task of
adjusting the difficulty and making such
arrangements as would result in an hon
orable peace between the employees and
officials of the road, but his efforts were
unavailing.
Powderly, comprehending the purpose
of ii. Walter Webb, the third vice presi.
dent of the company, TO make war upon
the Knights of Labor and ultimately
upon all labor organizations represented
on his road, sought conference with the
supreme council of the United Order OF
Railway employees. The request Of
Powderly was granted TO the extent of four
members of the council The chief
executives of the federated orders met
HIM in the city of Buffalo, viz: i. II.
Sargent, grand master of the Brother
hood Of Locomotive Firemen and presi-
dent of the supreme council; George W.
Howard, grand chief Of the Brotherhood
of Railway Conductors and vice
| president OF the supreme council; =. l.
| Wilkinson, grand master of the Brother
hood of Railway Conductors and vice
president of the supreme court; 5. L.
Wilkinson, grand master of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen, and Frank
| Sweeney, grand master of the Switch
mems Mutual Aid association.
At the conference with Powderly at
Buffalo the members Of the supreme
council became satisfied that the officials
of the road, by every consideration of fair
and honorable treatment of the labor or
carnations should meet Powderly and
adopt some just plan for the adjustment
of the grievance of the striking employees.
This conclusion having been reached, the
members of the supreme council, in re-
sponse To request ofPowderly, extended
their Journey To New York TO afford such
aid as was in their power, TO bring about
settlement between Vice President Webb
the official having full authority on all
matters pertaining to the strike, and Pow
derly having authority To negotiate such
arrangements for the knights as might
end the dispute.
An interview having been secured, Pow
derly sought to have the men who had
been discharged heard in their own de-
fense, i'm the presence OF Webb and him
self. This fair and honorable propo-
sition was refused. Powderly then
proposed arbitration, which was also
refused. There were other propositions
made by Powderly, having for their object
the honorable settlement of the existing
trouble, all of which were refused on the
part Of Webb.
The members of the supreme council,
while in Buffalo and New York, had am
pie opportunities To thoroughly inform
themselves upon all matters concerning
the strike. They appreciated the gravity
of the situation and comprehendng the
impending consequence Ia labor organiza-
tons, deemed il advisable TO convene the
supreme council for deliberation and such
conclusions as the facts should warrant.
In response to the order of Sargent, pres
- .I... hot lN...l.
convened in Terre Haute last Saturday
and remained in session until noon to
day.
In making their report 10 the council,
the members who went to New York Ia
confer with Powderly found all the state
ments made by him fully corroborated by
the facts. In an interview with Webb he
refused 10 entertain any proposition look
ing to the settlement of the difficulty. He
would not arbitrate any question nor
make auy explanation or concession
whatever with regard 10 the discharged
employees. He claimed the right To dis
charge employees at will, without making
any explanation or giving 10 the
victims Of his power any rea'
sons for his despotic action
He would manage his road 10 suit
| himself without reference to any rights
claimed by its employees or any rights
claimed by any labor organization
to interfere in the matter To protect their
members.
The council having heard the statement
of its members who had visited New York
for the purpose of ascertaining the true
condition ofaffairs exhaustively discussed
every important proposition and arrived
at conclusions as follows:
First-That the position Of the knight.
, Of Labor as set forth 10y Powderly, general
master workman and general executive
of the Knights of Labor, meets with ouI
unqualified approval.
Second-The course pursued 10y Webb
towards powdcrly aud the Knights Of
Labor, Notwithstanding his declarations
TO the contrary, cvinces his purpose 10 dis
runt anddcsirny all labor organizations
on the New York Central q Hudson River
railroad as done by Austin Carbin on the
Philadelphia * Reading.
Third-1he policy Of Webb is dcspoIit
Ia an extent that outrages every principle
Of American citizenship, and If generally
adopted, would, II successful, reduce
American workingmen 10 a adegrndcd con
1itiOu