The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1890-08-28
ADECISIONREACHED|
Supreme Council of Railway
Federation Conclude not
$500 ~ to Strike.
Conservatism Prevails and the
Members Will not Be
Called Out on Strike.

TERKE HAUTE, Ind, Aug. 25.--The Knights
OF Labor asked for bread and their breth-
rem of the United Order of Railway En-
ployes, better known as the federation, re-
sponded with stone. 1t is true that
the morsel is concealed in jar of honey,
but it will none the more digestible
to the Knights on that account.
1t is a common remark here tonight that
the final decision of the conference could
not have been more to Mr.. Webb's taste
had the third vice president of the New
York Central and his associates mauipu-
lated the wires that controlled the twelve
men who compose the supreme body.
The unfortunate knights are left to their
own resources. They are not even offered
the balm of pecuniary support and their
general master workman was referred by
the chief of the Federation to the press dis
patches for the official reply to his appeal.
The outcome may prove death blow to
the Knights. At the same time it is
a vindication of the conservatism and
prudence of the federation. 1t was formed
to prevent strikes, instead of TO promote
them, and in the very first case upon which
its supreme tribunal has been called to sit
in judgment it has demonstrated its inten-
ton OF living within its laws. and yet it
was only after warm struggle that
THE CONSERVATIVES PREVAILED
as against the supporters OF war to the knife.
When the members OF the council came to-
gether to-day every man was determined
that the issue must be faced without further
delay. The report of the committee
was taken up and debated in detail.
nnWnoHg Of Chin0n0 IF Tho
tivesoi heswitchmen's union, distinguished
himself by a two hours speech, in which
he brought sledgehammer arguments to
bear against the proposition to embroil the
united orders in strike, and there was no
lack of speakers on the other side, and the
debate, waxing at times exceed ngly warm
went OH tor nearly five hours. Finally a
vote was reached. Just how it result
ed numerical is known only 20 the dele
gates and will appear only in the secret or
ders OF the order, while former are as tight
mouted as clans. 1t is believed, however,
that the three delegates from the switch
mems union, two from the conductors,
two from the trainmen and one from
the fire men voted in the negatsve. This
would make the vote eight to four, and 1t
required the vote OF two of the three MEM
hers representing each order to decide which
way that organization should vote, but it
also required unanimous vote Of all Iour
orders be ore a strike could be ordered.
Hence. ever had two representatives OF
these orders been in favor of backing the
Knights by
A GENERAL TIE-UP,
the solid opposition of the three switchmen
would have defeated the purpose. AS it
syas the friends of peace had enough votes
to spare. The delegates breathed a
..gn OF relief after the crucial test h:a snn
applied, and then proceeded will
rity to prepare general statemes4 =
the public regarding the strike and the pn.
sltion of the federation in the affair. This
occupied considerable time, and then an
other debate was prec: :pitated by the intro
duction of q resolution so changing the
constitution of the body as to re-
quire two-thirds vote of the organization
embraced under the constitution to declare
a strike instead of a unanimous vote as at
present. In support of the proposition
strong arguments Were made. 1t was de-
clared that it Was almost an utter impossi-
bility to order strike as the constitution
now stood and it was urged that the amend
ment proposed would not in any way
change the case calculating disposition of
the membership or make strikes any more
frequent than they are under the existing
code. But the talk was OF no avail, for the
proposition, on being put to a
vote, was defeated, another vic
tory for the conservatives. After a
session of nearly ten hours the twelve men,
looking decidedly weary, but yet cheerful
over the final conclusion of their labors,
emerged from the club room.
Nearly all the members of the council
lett Tor their respective headquarters on the
midnight train.
DOES NOT LIKE THE CENsURE.
NEW YORK, Aug. 25.-Vice President
Webb heard with the utmost. GOODNESS the
news that the Supreme Council of the
United Order of Railway employees had at
Terre Haute declared against strike In
reply to the question: What do you think
OF the action of the Supreme Council ofthe
United Order of Railroad employees at
Terre Haute2'' Mr., Webb said that this was
the only wise course TO take. He said: ::
There was no principle involved In which they
could be Interested, The entire trouble WAS
local in character, and had nothing whatever to
do with organized labor. Whether the Knights
of Labor will now take further steps will make
but little difference. There are only few
knights In the employ of the Central
: Later in the evening Mr.. Webb said:
!: ..Itsis, queer commentary that the supreme
council OF the Federation can find no grievance
upon which to order q strike, yet they censured
the New York Central aud its officials. They
also decline to give'any support to the strikers
but appeal to the public to furnish it.. This
think, embodies all that have to say: