New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-27
THE FEDERATION md THE STRIKE.


The Supreme Council of the fcderatioh Oh
Railway Employees, after prolonged dehpefa-
ton at Terre lIaute, officially informed the
Knights of Labor that the strike was none VI
their business, and adjourned. Neither the
vituperative energy of their address nor the
Knights assumption of cheerfulRss conceais
the fact that this was the only direct result
If q conference which had kept the country
in suspense for three days. Mr.. fowdef!
and his colleagues are naturally compelieu 10
make n pretence of satisfaction at the demon
strative sympathy bestowed upon them Du'
they deceive no one, and least OF all the
members of their own order. They implored
active cooperation, and they have obtained
a windy proclamation OF compassion, lney
arc bitterly disappointed and from their mar
row point of view they have good reason /"
be.
Moreover. il is sean upon reflection that the
assurance of moral support Is really SUN
more meagre and feeble assistance than IL
might AT first thought seem to be. IL me
Sunreme Council had declared war AGAINST the
railroads and made an offensive and defensive
alliance with the Knights, il would have been
obcved by considerable part OF the fedeia-
ton. and this would practically have neapt
prcat deal. Bat tho unanimous sympathy ana
moral support Of twelve men may or may not
he shared by the organization which they
REPRESENT. and. therefore, practically means
nothing at all
Doubtless the first feeling Of most persons
unon learning the result of the TeTe llaute
conference was establishment that the Supreme
L., EvaI tho pI thp
country. sat for three days. and then dis
pcrScd with the blunt announcement that the
laws OF the Federation did not permit 1t To 10
ANYTHING but Sympathizc. But the fact PROB
ably is that at least three OF the four leaders
who wen. from this city TO Terre lIautc. in
Guiding Chief Sargent, who called the meet
ing. were ardently DESTROYS to order the Fed
Grafton into the breach, and hoped To find
means of bringing about that result. II the
required number of their colleagues had held
their views the laws Of the organization would
not have stood in their way. But their pro-
pramme encountered determined opposition
so soon rs it was announced. and was finally
discarded-it is believed by vote of to 4.
Their regulations prescribe unanimous acqui-
escence in every decree, and accordingly the
statement of the Council is promulgated win
the approval of all its members
We have said that declaration oi war
would have been obeycd by considerable
mart Of the Federation. II is also believed ny
persons familiar with the sentiments oi the
order that such action would have caused an
immediate and wide rupture in the 0rganHa-
ton. that a great many Of rs best members
would have refused 10 go out, and IN par
ticular that a large majority OF the hrcmen
would have repudiated the supreme Council
and rc-cStabliShed their own brotherhood on
an indepondcnt basis. kcon appreciation
of this danger. if not positive u'tinaium 70
that effect by the representatives. OF the fire
mon. was unque,tonably influential IN deter
r,ir,rc the rc.ult of the conference. The
supreme Council has, therefore, from this
point Of view accomplished something more
important than a vote OF sympathy, an aNNtr-
tnce of moral support. and vulgar ana
vicious trade against Mr. Webb and the rail
roads, il has saved the lilo of the FEDERATION.
We note with regret but without surprise
Mr.. powdcrly's declaration that the struggle
has Just begun. Unhappily, he has eontriyed
10 nut himself into a position from which he
cannot escape with credit. except indeed, b!
manly Acknowledgment of error aud fali-
urc: and that doubtless seems 10 him an I'M
possible alternative. But we think too well
of the sacacity and reasoDabcncss OF the
great majority Of the Knights Of Labor to
suppose that they are deceived by shallow PIE,
fences Of encouragement, OF at heart aWiauo
and approve their leaders attitude and pol
icy. Their organization has been beaten III
a contest which il provoked without reason
and every man of sense among them Know
the fact They can prolong and pcrhap'
temporarily increase the discomfort OF The
public and the annoyance Of the railroads. bu
they deserved 81 lose and they have lost.
| PROTECT THE SOLDIERS HOMES.