Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-08-30
MUST FIGHT IL ALONE.
The Supreme Council Decides Not
to Declare General Strike.
While Indorsing the Action of the
Striking Knights, the Federation
Can Only Give Them Sympathy.
Tho Meeting Ends and Manifesto to
All Labor Organizations is Issued
Powderly Indorsed and Webb
Condemned in Unmeas-
ured Terms.

Knights of Labor asked for bread and
their brethren of the United Order of
Railroad Employees, better known as the
Federation, responded with a stone. 1t
is true that the morsel is concealed in a
jar of honey, but it will be none the
moro digestible to the knights on that
account. The final decision of the con-
ference could not have been more to Mr..
Webb's taste had the third vice presi-
dent of the New York Central and his
associates manipulated 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 is referred by the chief
OF the Federation to the press dis
patches for the official reply to his ap-
peal.
The outcome may prove death blow
to the knights. At the same time it is
a vindication Of the conservatism Of the
Federation. 1t was formed to prevent
strikes, instead of promoting them, and
in the very first case upon which its SUI
preme tribunal has been called to sit in
judgment it has demonstrated its inten-
tion 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 Monday morning the report of
the committee was debated in detail.
Downey, of Chicago, one of the repre-
sentatives of the Switchmen's Union,
made two hours speech in which he
brought sledge-hammer arguments to
bear against the proposition to embroil
the united orders in a strike. There
was no lack of speakers on the other
side and the debate went on for nearly
five hours.
Finally a vote was reached. Just how
1t resulted numerically is known only
to the delegates and will appear only in
the secret records of the order, while
the former are as tight mouthed 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
firemen voted in the negative. This
it required the vote of two of the three
members representing each order to de-
eide which way that organization should
vote, but it also required unanimous
vote of all four orders before a strike
could be ordered. Hence even had two
representatives of three orders been in
favor of backing the knights by gen.
eral tie-up, the opposition of the three
switchmen would have defeated the pur-
pose. AS it was, the friends of peace
had enough votes and to spare.
Following is the manifesto of the
Federation:
HEADQUARTERS OF SUPREME COUNCIL OFF
THE UNITED ORDER OF RAILWAY EN-
TERRE HAUTE, Ind, Aug. 25, 1890.
To ALL LABOR ORGANIZATIONS:
Men and Brothers: On the night OF August
u strike began on the New York Central g.
Hudson River railroad, involving about eight
thousand men in the employ OF the said road
tion known as the Knights OF Labor. The rea.
son set forth by Il. V. Powderly, chief execu-
tive OF the order, may be summarized as fol
lows: The peremptory discharge of between
fifty and sixty men employees of the road and
members of the knights OF Labor, because
they were knights of Labor, without giving
them any reason whatever for the discharge.
Prior to the strike the men involved sought,
through the representatives OF the order. to
have their grievances adjusted. but their appeal
being disregarded a strike was inaugurated. AT
this junclure 7. " Powderly, General Master
Workman OF the knights OF Labor, entered
upon the task of adjusting the differences and
OF making such arrangements as would result
in an honor BILE peace between the employees
and the officials OF the road, but his efforts were
unavailing
Walter Webb, third vice president Of the com.
pany, to make war upon the knights Of Labor
and ultimately upon all labor organizations
represented on his road, sought n confe cence
with the Supreme Council of the United Order
of Railway Employees. The request OF Mr. Pow
derly was granted to the extent that four mem
bers Of the council mot him in the city of Buff
falo viz: F. p. Sargent, Grand Master of the
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Firemen, and pres
idcnt of the Supreme Council; G. w. Howard.
Grand Chief OF the Brotherhood OF Railway
Conductors and vice preside itot the Supreme
Council; S. E. Wilkinson Grand Master OF the
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. and Frank
Sweeney, Grand Master of the Switchmen's
Mutual Aid Association. At the conference with
Mr.. Powderly Mt Buffalo the members OF the
Supreme Council became satisfied that the off,
cials of the road by every consideration of fair
and honorable treatment of labor organizations
should meet Mr.. Powderly and adopt some just
plan for the adjustment OF the grievances of the
striking employees.
This conclusion having been reached. the
members OF the Supreme Council-in response
to the request of Mr.. Powderly-extended their
journey to New York City TO afford such aid
w
between Walter Webb, third vice president of
the company, the official having full authority
in all matters pertaining to the strike and II.
V. Powderly, General Master Workman OF the
knights of Labor, having the authority to nego.
tiate such arrangements as might end the dis.
pute. An interview having been secured Mr..
Powderly sought TO have the men discharged
heard in their own defense in the presence of
Mr.. Webb and himself. This fair proposition
was refused Mr.. Powderly proposed arbitra.
tion, which was also refused. There were other
propositions made by Mr.. Powderly, having for
their object the honorable settlement of the
trouble. all Of which were refused by Mr. Webb.
The members OF the Supreme Council. while in
Buffalo and the city of New York, had ample
opportunities to thoroughly inform themselves
upon all matters concerning the strike. They
saw and heard both sides. They appreciated
the gravity OF the situation and, comprehending
the impending consequence to labor organiza
tions deemed IL advisable to convene the SUI
preme Council for delberaton and such con-
clusion as facts should warrant In response to
the order of F. p. Sargent, president of the Su
preme Council, that body was convened In
Terre Hautc, Ind, on August 90 and remained
In session until noon OF the 25th.
In making their report TO the council the
members who went to Now York to confer with
Mr.. Powderly found all the statements made by
him fully corroborated by the facts In an in.
teryiew with Mr.. Webb he refused to entertain
any proposition looking for settlement of the
difficulty. He would not arbitrate any question
nor make any explanation or concession what
ever with regard TO the discharged employees
He claimed the right TO discharge employees at