The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-04


were first uttered.
We haven't any doubt that In times past
the knights have been insolent, 0bstreper-
Gus, and oppressive. We have ourselves
fretted and fumed at their folly and read
them many a sharp lecture on their stu
pidty.
We have also criticised combined capital
IN the same or even severer terms. have as
serted. and now stand by the assertion, that
organized capital has itself created the ne
cessity Tor organized labor; that the en-
pioyer and employe have y2xcd problem
To solve. and that forbearance and fair play
are prime factors in successful issue.
But the Central has entered upon difer-
cnt and we are inclined TO think danger
Gus policy. II proposes 10 throw its whole
weight against labor organization with the
distant purpose of crushing 1t. IL Is an
experiment so interesting that we shall
watch the progress Of events with onhag-
ging curiosity, but we greatly mistake the
mettle Of the American people If they regard
so revolutionary measure as entirely JUS
titled by the facts.
Philadelphia Record.l
IL il not likely that the new policy OF the
New York Central management will be at
tended by any immediate results Of impor-
lance. The Knights now in the employ OF
| the company are too valuable 10 he DIS
pensed with. But the steadily continuing
| policy OF opposition which has thus formal
| ly begun will be felt by the men in succeed
| ing years. Where preferment and promo
| ton are made 10 depend upon n0n-aillliatlOn
with any specified organization, the natural
and inevitable result is n speedy and thor
Ough eXtirpatiOn of that organization With
| in the circle affected by such regulations.
How much sincerity there may be in the
| declaration Of the railway managers with
| regard 10 the Knights OF Labor need not lie
| here considered. No doubt they would be
quite as willing to antagOniZe the Knights
on mere grounds Of personal comfort" as
upon the broader consideration OF duty to
the public. They are taking the con-
queror's advantage TO not only cripple, but
crush out force which they believe TO be
aniagonistic TO them and TO the interests OF
| the railway properties they control.
And yet il may be doubted whether this
decree Of eXtrpatiOn will materially affect
the main body OF the knights OF Labor. The
organization is endowed with amazing
I vitality. TO the average wOrsingman II
stands as the embodiment OF right, the cham
piOn of his cause against the oppression
Of monopoly and the tyranny OF capital. It's
| influence, manifested often by strange
methods and in unexpected directions, is an
industrial and moral force that no employer
Of large bodies of men can afford TO leave
out Of the account.
New York Times.l
Whether or not the New York Central
Railroad Company was ''making war
upon the knights Of Labor at the time II
discharged the employees whose dismissal
led to the recent strike, the experience II
has had since that time has induced ii to
'Obiect" 10 having its men belong to tnal
organization. Its objection has been very
tersely stated in circular addressed 10 the
heads Of departments in its service who
have charge Of the employment Of labor
| and its terms are not likely TO be
misunderstood. Ii evidently means that
knights of Labor will not be here
after employed by the company, and that
any who may be in its service now are ex-
pected TO give up their membership IN the
order or their places in the employment OF
the company. Ii must be admitted thai
| the conduct of the knights of Labor In con.
nection with the recent strike has justified
this action Of the Central road, and has
shown that it is not safe for the public &c
have the labor employed upon the railroads
| subject TO the influences that are rife in the
POwderly organization. Reckless strikes
bOycOtts, and violent interference with per
sons and property are something that nc
community can long tolerate in connection
with railroad traffic.
Washington Post
The New York Central and Hudson River
Railroad Company has taken action that
was not altogether unexpected in The an
nOuncement that henceforth it will give
no employment 10 members Of the OrganiZa.
ton known as the knights Of Labor. There
is reason to believe that this step was CON
tcmplated before the recent strike, though
ii may have been FASTENED by that ill-con'
sidered movement. and was, doubtless
prcciptated 10y suhse luent acts Of lawless-
ness in which men belonging TO the organ
ization were implicated.
The company has evidently come TO the
conclusion that between its own policy and
that of the knights there is an incompati
blity which cannot be rccOnclled, and thai
hereafter il must he permitted 10 control IT.
own management in It's own way. This de-
cisOn, as we understand it, does not extend
Il the absolute inhibition Of beneficial Or
carnations among the employees OF the road
but applies particularly to the Knights o
Labor as now constituted or to any comb
nation that may claim 10 dictate terms O
employment to the road or to impose arbi
trary restrictions upon the freedom OF It's
members in seeking or accepting employ
ment.
The action of the Central will probably
be followed in due time by other roads
and, while heroic remedies are Away
harsh. it will be generally agreed by the
public, whose relations TO the matter are
wholly unsentimental, that in this in
stance their application ia warranted
Nor are results likely TO prove detrimental
to the interests of labor. The precedent SCI
by the Reading road proves to the contrary
The employees OF that company were nevt
better satisfied nor better paid than the'
have been since they were relieved from
the organized domination of the knights
and what is true Of the Reading, with it'
close, conservative management, vii
doubtless be realized elsewhere, and, il
many cases, to larger degree.