Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-23
THE UPLIFTE0 ARM.
The Labor Leaders in Session Today
at Terre Haute.
HONORS TO JOHN ERICSSON.
A Grand Procession in New York
to Transfer His Remains.
A SPLENDID MARINE PAGEANT TO-DAY.

OF @cNOlO MtNlNc ftNttNt tObsf.
THE SCENE AT TERRE HAUTE
Twelve Men Deciding Whether a Ges-
eral strike Shall be Ordered.
TKRRr HIUrK, ISD., August 2s-Twelve sub
stantial-looking. wel-dressed men mounted
the steps 70 the arst door OF the Terre Hauis
House st ten minutes of 10 this morning and
Passed in single file INTO the spacious club
room that is designated ss No. ss When the
last man had entered the eleven ranged
themselves around big table Of tie
farther end Of the apartment while
the twelfth locked the door from the
inside. Then the sharp rap Of . ssyel
upon the oaken table was heard, aud tie
listeners in the corridor knew that the special
session OF the Supreme Council Of the Feders-
ton Of Railroad Employees. ana who will de-
eide whether or not that organization shall er-
tend its support to the Knights Of Labor by
declaring a general strike upon the New York
Central road, had been formally called to order.
The participants in the gathering are Grand
Master Sargent, who presides; Grand Secretary
Debs, who ofhciates secretary, and J. J.
hannshan of Chicago. all of the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Firemsn,
Grand Chief Howard, J. ). Nelson
OF st. Louis and G. W. Lovejoy Of Terre Hsute.
representing the brotherhood OF Railway Con-
ductors; Grand Master Sweeney, Vice Grand
Master Downey and Grand Organizer Hall Of
Chicago, representing the switchmen's Mutual
Aid Association. and Grand Master Morrisey,
5. q. Wilkinson and Grand Secretary Shehsn,
all Of Galesburg, representing the Brotherhooe
of Railroad Trainmeu.
Sweeney was the last Of the council 70 arrive
| and 1t was nearyi o clock tins morning when he
placed his autograph on the register of the
MOTEL The chief OF the switchmcn, who has
attracted no little attention the result of his
utterances IN opposition TO q strike, did not
| appear to be IN the most ampible Of moods and
quickly sought his room. He WAS one Of the
nrst, however, TO appear In the dining room
this morning, and perused with evident relish
a New York press dispatch in a morning paper
| which represented that sweeney's attitude bad
been pretty severely criticised by the heads of
the Knights of Labor.
| nrFFED AT SWEENEY.
1t was noticed that the other delegates as they
meandered by ones and twos into the dining
room had little to say to the switchman, the
majority contenting themselves with nod or .
word of recognition. Nine O'Clock was the
| time set for the opening Of the supreme ooun-
Gil, but at that hour the representatives of the
conductors had not put in an appearance sud
the delegates grouped themselves on tie
sidewalk outside OF the hotel aud told
stories, laughed and joksd and talked about
everything except the important business that
had called them together. 1t was q decidedly
jolly, good-natured little gathering. and there
was nothing IN the demeanOr of a singleman 20
indicate that they would soon be called upon
to settle a question involving the continued en-
ployment of thousands OF men, an immense
financial loss and tremendous Inconvenience
not to say hardships to tens OF thousands of peo-
pie. lt had originally been intended TO hold the
conference In the general offices Of the Broth
erhood of Eiremen on Main street, but the
side windows OF this room front upon a yard
attached 10 a saloon and from which the score
or more OF newspaper men who are on the
scene could have secured an opportunity nos
only 10 but 20 hear. Hence q change Of
base to the hotel club room VA deemed polite
Grand Chief Howard, with has Two substitutes
for the regular delegates, who we're unable to
make the trip from Los Angeles in time, put
in an appearance at 9:45 and then there wss
general move upstairs, President Sargent
Leading the way. The latest state
meut from Mr.. Webb. in which h.
denies that any OF the Central employees we're
discharged as result of their connection with
| the knights OF Labor, and instances numerous
offenses, such as drunkenness, incspacity OF
which the men dismissed we're alleged 20 have
been guilty, was read with interest by the
delegates before going into the meeting. Only
one OF them. however, would allow himself 70
make any puoic comment upon it, and this one
said that 1T was eleventh. hour defense and
came to late too influence either the council or
public opinion.
PERTINENT QUESTIONS.
why" he asked, did not Webb talk IN this
strain to Powderly when the latter said that he
was fighting for the. recognition OF his orderP
| Why could he not have discussed the trouble
with Powderly on this iate-day line? Simply
| because he knew that IL be tried he would find
L 4 he knOckeA ont frOu nd H..
| would have been asked to prove the charges.
| He could not have done II then: he can't now" 1"
| Unless appearances are decidedly deceptive
Switchman Sweeney goes into the confer
| once strongly opposed to the federation taking
any part in the dispute. The Chicago man wss
| very much of q sphynx this morning lie
kept aloof from his colleagues after break
| fast walking up and down the corridor. teeth
| set and determined look on his face. and
answering all questions in monosyllables. His
opposition. il il materialzes and is persisted
in will be sufficient 10 render the conference
| futile. a unanimous decision is essen
| tial TO the issuance of strike order.
| Among the crowd of railroad men in the
| rotunda Of the hotel there is q general
| opinion that no strike will be ordered. Grand
| Master Sargent before going into the confer
| ence, was Just as sanguine OF victory as he was
| last night. As soon as the roll call ended
| he entered upon exhaustive statement OF
| the trouble OF the Central, beginning with the
| discharge of the employees, the steps
| taken by the district assemblies of
the knights the intervention Of the
executive board, the appeal to the federation
and the personal experiences of the represent
! atives of the latter. The statement was forti-
| fled with elaborate documents. which are be-
| ing read in detail, and the entire statement
| will occupy owe three hours. A majority Of
| the delegates are anxious 10 get away tonight,
| and hence an attempt will be made 70 reach .
| conclusion by shutdown.
| Mr. WEBB CALLED A LIAR
New York, August 29.-This morning M.
Hayes, secretary to the general executive board
of the knights, made the following statement;
''It is a very strange thing that Mr.. Webb
should only now say that the knights
discharged from the employ of the
road we're discharged for drunken
ness, incapacity and insubordination. III
this the fact il is proper oase for srbi-
| tration and one that the state board should
| take hold of. Our executive board have. how
| ever, gone thoroughly into that matter aud
| there is not one word of truth in what Webb
| says"
| Mr.. Hayes further stated that the board
would have no meeting today, but that they
| would leave for Albany In the evening. At the
| Grand Central depot Mr.. Webb most pos
| itiyeiy denied that there any truth in the
| report that DIR. Depew would sail
| today from Southampton for home. L
| have heard nothing from him." said Mr..
Webb, land do not expect him until the lat
ter part of September-the time he arranged