Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-08-23

railroad who In member OF the various
orders identified with the Federation Of
Railroad Employees does not find himself
enrolled under she banner of the strikers
by sundown tonight
The grand master of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive F1remen reached here last
evening with his mind fully made up that
the eKigencies Of the situation demanded
heroic action. Immediately upon his ar
rival he was met by Grand Secretary Eu-
gene '. Deb@, and the two had a confer
once OF over an hours duration Then
Debs hunted up George w. Howard, the
grand chief of the Brotherhood OF Con-
ductors, and Grand Master s L. Wilkin-
son, of tho brotherhood Of Railway Train
men. Debs piloted them to his residence.
where for three hours the trio were in
consultation with closed doors The inn
portance Of Howard's participation rests
in the fact that his colleagues, Grand Sec
retary and Treasurer Carr and Assistant
Chief Moore, have been unable to reach
here Ia slime for today's meeting of the
supreme council OF the federation in eonse.
quence Of the short notice given. IL is
within Towards authority TO appoint
substitutes for the absentees.
The labor leaders are now in secret ses-
sion. II the federation decides to order a
general strike today 1t will be based upon
the ground that the present fight is one OF
organized capital against organized labor.
This was expressly stated by Grand Master
Sargent. He is thoroughly convinced
that in striking az the knights OF Labor
Mr. Webb and his associates are inau-
gurating war upon the principle Of or
ganized labor, and that should the knights
get the worst of the fight hostilities would
Immediately be inaugurated against the
engineers, firemen, conductors, brakemen
and switchmen.
Mr.. sargent'a Views.
webb, said Sargent, takes the ground
that no one has the right 10 question his
actions. In my interview with him asked
him whether, supposing fireman was dis
missed without cause and as he consid-
cred unjustly-supposing he went TO the
superintendent OF motive power and was
unable to obtain satisfaction, that he then
appealed to his order, would ] be given
recognition. To this Mr. Webb replied
bluntly thai the officials Of the road were
fully able to settle all such matters them
selves. Hits manner and style fully con.
vinced me that In such case his action
would be just the same as il has been to
ward Powderiy and the knights"
HIr. Powderly EuIogized.
Il had never met Powderly until the
present trouble, but am thoroughly con
yinced that he is honest and fair, that this
trouble is not Of his own seeking and that
If Mr. Webb had shown the slightest dis
position TO treat him fairly, the knights Of
Labor would have been back to work be-
fore this The present situation has been
forced on him. | shall heartily indorse
everything he has done, when the question
comes up to-day as 20 what action we shall
take regarding the request OF powderly for
assistance, for that is the form in which
the matter will resolve itself 1t Is not
now a question as to how much beef is
buried on the New York Central, but
whether organized labor shall be crushed
and buried TO boot
They VIII Go with Sargent.
"We may differ upon minor questions Of
policy today, but every man OK us Is fully
in sympathy with P0wderly, and whatever
decision Is reached will be by unanimous
vote" The Importance OF above inter
view rests in the fact that more than halt
Of the members Of the supreme council
have already expressed their confidence ia
Sargents Judgment and their willingness
TO act in accordance with his suggestions.
AT this time the presence here Of Charles
Mcdonald, Of ST. Joseph, No, is also sig
niiicant. Mcdonald is president Of the
board Of trustees Of the Firemen's union,
and although a young man has an inn
mense influence In railroad circles in the
southwest.
Speaking Of Chief Arthur's non-com-
initial attitude In the present crisis Nc
Donald says that the federation was strong
enough TO force great many Of the en-
gineers TO 90 out independent Of their chief.