Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-08-19
LETTERS ON THE STRIKE.
What Powderly and Webb
Wrote to Each Other.
ARBITRATION mas BEEN REFUSED

Mr.. Webb Says the Men Were Not Dis
charged necause They Were Knights q
Labor-Mr. Powderly's Plea for i Bis
passionate Settlement Of the Trouble
NEW YORK, Aug. 10 Vice President
Webb has just made public the correspond
ence between Mr. powderly and himself
Mr.. Powdcrly on Saturday wrote Nh
Webb stating that he expected hv Monda,
70 have completed his inquiry into the
causes Of the stgike, and hc would be glad
Il an interview could be arranged for Mon
day morning 70 discuss the question Of ar
bitration Of the differences between thp
company and It's Knights Of Labor en-
| ployes Vice President Webb replied,
agreeing to the interview. but suggesting
that as the reports Of interviews already
had between himself and Messrs. Holland
Hayes and Donovan had been grossly mis-
represented it would be best for the in
terest Of an concerned II the matter which
Mr.. Powderly wished to present were put
in writing.
Powderly States His Case.
Sunday Mr.. Powderly wrote Mr.. Webb
that he was called away from the city. and
was therefore obliged to comm il TO paper
what he would rather discuss personally
He was informed that old and faithful en-
ployes had been summarily dismissed be-
cause they were active In the knights OF
Labor; that up 10 the time OF their dis
charge they were faithful employees with
good records. The frequency Of the dis
missals left little room for doubt in the
minds OF the men that they were all in
danger Of discharge at a mowent's notice.
and, hence the strike. Mr. powderly con.
tinues
The whole question hinges upon the discharge
OF knights OF Labor because they are such II
it can be shown that these men were working
injury to their employers, right minded men will
say they are treated as thcy deserve If thev
were discharged for cause the company has
everything 70 gain and nothing TO lose from an
Investigation II they deserved dismissal from
the service, none OF will ask for their renstate
ment. II, however, they were displaced because
OF their connection with the Knights OF Labor Il
should be known, for il IL IS to be the pollcy of
the company that no members 0f the Knights or
Labor are 70 be employed, then statement 10
that effect viii clear up all doubts There win
oe nothing then 10 arhltrate SO long as you hold
that opinion.
The Great Interests at stake.
4 The interests OF the public and OF the companv
and the rights OF men to organize for SELF pro.
lection, are all involved in this contest The
policy of the Knights Of Labor is 10 work peace
fully n the line Of educational aud Legislative
reform y is not their policy to enter hastily
upon strikes The interests of the public requires
that freight aud passenger traflc should worl,
smoothly, the interests Of the company require
exactly the same thing, aud IN addition, TINT
such traffic prove remunerative; the interests 81
wording people are the same as the others, but
their right 70 organize and select The organlza
tion they wish g belong 70 is fully al dear 70
them az their pecuniary interests can poss.,,lv h
Here Is an organization. the aim Of which Il ~
work for educational and legislative advantages
called upon TO defend It's members who nm n ,bs
time Of their dismissal had worked only In edu.
cationa and legislative directions Surely NJ
have a right 10 question why cley we're all.
charged Each man, no matter how humble, is
as much a part Of She public as any other man
True, the New York Central aud Hudson River
railroad is tributary 20 the comfort and well
being Of the community, but the community
gives 70 The corporation In question its strength
ana wealth and Of that community al least two
thirds are working people
win You Arbitrateg
You may feel that you are right the men may
feel that they are rights both are partisans ana
" an Impartial verdict Is 20 be reached Impartial
men must arrive at it by hearing both sides ana
then Judging. The men are willing to submit the
cnse % such arbitration and will not be unreason
able VIII you consent to do the saRef II Won
viii agree 70 submit this matter TO arbitration we
can meet 70 arrange the details and agree as ~
how the parties are 10 be selected
The newspapers report you as refusing 10 al.
mt that arbitration can enter into the settlement
Of the trouble but your letter leads inc 70 believe
that you were misQuoted, aud stil hope for 4
speedy termination of the strike through arbitra
ton.
NJ VV.r.hs.
On Aug IS Mr. Webb sent the follow.
ing reply 10 Mr.. Powderlys letter.
No one Of the persons discharged from the
service Of this company prior 70 Aug aud re-
ferred 70 in your communication was discharged
because he was member Of your order The
immediate snperiorS OF each Of said persons ~.
ported 70 the division superintendent or the
superintendent Of the motive power. in each
case good and sufficient cause for the DISCHARGE
OF such persons and am Informed that both |
superintendents investigated each case prior 20 |
the discharge, and the facts ef such discharge /
having been reported 70 the management OF the |
company they were further investigated ana /
the action Of the superintendents was FUZZY ap 4
proved.
Arbitration Refused.
The management Of this company do not deem
i consistent with its continuance and prosperity
~ business and with the discharge or the duties
i owes 70 the people, TO submit the propriety az
rs action in the discharge Of any OF It's employees
70 arbitration.
nave read your communication with care and
hnk the foregoing answers the points presented
Dy you ana defines the position OF this company.
General strike Predicted.
There seems 70 be considerable ground
or the belief that general strike will be
ordered today on all the roads ia which the
yanderbi!ts hold a controlling interest.
These liPes are the New York Central.
West Shore, the Lake Shore, the Michigan
CENTRAL, the Canada Southern, the Chicago
ind Northwestern
That Shooting at Albany.
ALBANY, Aug. l9.-The blockade has not
improved 70 any extent since the first day
4 the strike. The men engaged by the
abroad are incompetent, and over fifty OF
hem left work on Monday claiming that
hey were brought here through misrepre-