Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1890-12-01
STRIKES AND POLITICS.
ORGANIZED LABOR IS BUSY IN BOTH
THESE FIELDS.

Echoes from the New York Central Strike.
Labor in Politics in New York and
other Places-Mr. Powderly's Position.
Arthur Winding His Business"
The ending of the New York Central
strike by official declaration of the
Knights of Labor furnished text for
penny-a-liners, platform Founders and
street corner statesmen. Everybody has
an opinion on the subject. and Of course
the enemies of organized labor have
most to say. Officials of the order are
denounced for lack of Judgment in call
ing and handling the strike. and the
rank and file of the strikers are roasted
for giving adherence to "delnagogues and
disturbers So it has always been: the
victor is II genius and hero. the van
quished fool and traitor, Nothing
succeeds like success
The attitude of most of the metropoli-
tan newspapers since the failure Of the
strike is even more despicable than it
WIS while the fight was on The organs
of monopoly in New York are taking
particular delight in rubbing it in
always. of course, under the hypocritical
disguise of friendship for the working
man The New York Tribune. that arch
enemy of organized labor. does not. how
ever. hide it's JOY at the outcome Of the
strike. and in the ecstacy of its pleasure
shows little respect for the truth. This
sheet says 1.-The strike was failure be-
cause public opinion declared against
the strikers Enthusiastically from the out
SET" My position on the subject of
public opinion" has been made clear in
this correspondence; but that the thing
which The Tribune calls public opinion"
was against the strikers | elnphatically
deny. though it just rs well might have
been.
The Central strike was lost because
poverty stricken. unsupported band Of
wage slaves cannot possibly win in ii con-
test with u heartless. unprincipled enemy
backed up by press. politician. police and
Pinkertonsm. The strike was IL mistake,
but the error lay only in the failure of
the leaders to be positively satisfied that
the wheels on the Central would stop
turning when the call went out and re-
main still until Justice was done the men.
There should not have been any 'senti-
lnent" in the matter-''public" or other
WISE 1t was business. or should have
been.
Did the managers Of the railroad show
any sentiment" during or since the
strike? Some of the newspapers have
said within few days that the company
is not showing any resentment against
the strikers How does the following,
posted at every station on the New York
Central and Hudson River railroad by
order of Acting First Vice President
Webb. read rs Il piece Of non resentment
literature: ITO All Agents-On and
after Sept. 20 any promotions to be made
on the road must be made for men now
in the employ of the company. If you
need new men you may hire them. but
in no case are you to employ any man
who left the company Aug. 3.
To further show the uprightness and
honesty of Mr. Webb let us quote from
al address made by Father Ducey. Said
the reverend gentleman in recent
speech in New York city:
And now let me tell you something.
and an exposing private history in di-
vulging it. When the strike on the New
YORK. Central and Hudson River railroad
was begun Mr.. Webb asked me to so to