, 1890-08-28
THE GRAND COUNCIL.
Results of It's Deliberations
Made Public.
NO GENERAL STRIKE ORDERED
Only Sympathy to Be Given the
Knights, Who Must Fight
Alone.

lows
Headquarters of the supreme council
of the United Order of Railway En-
ployes;
To all laboring organizations
Men and brothers; On the night OF
August strike began on the New
York Central Il Hudson River railroad
involving about 500 men in employ of
the same road who were mem bers OF the
great labor organization known as the
knights of Labor. Thereasons set forth
by Powderly, chief executive of tho
order, may be summarized AS follows
The peremptory discharge OF between
hlty and sixty men, employees OF the
road and memb bers of the Knights of La
Dor, without giving them any reason
whatever for their discharge, was the
cause of tho strike. Prior to tho strike,
however, the men involved sought
through representatives of the order to
havo their grievances adjusted, but their
appeals being disregarded the strike was
inaugurated. AT tpis juncture Powder
~, general master workman OF the
knights of Labor, entered upon the task
of adjusting the difficulty and making
such arrangements as would result i'll
an honorable peace between the en-
pioyes and officials OF the road, but
these efforts were unavailing. Pow
derly, comprehending the purpose OF
IL. Walter Webb, third vice president OF
the company, to make war upon the
knights of Labor and ultimately upon
all labor organizations represented upon
his road, sought a conference with the
supreme council of tho United Order OF
Railway Employees. The request OF Pow
derly was granted to the extent that four
members of the council, chief executive
of the federated orders, met him In the
city of Buffalo, namely, +. p. Sargent,
grand master of the Brotherhood oil
Locomotive Firemen, and prcsi'
dent of the Supreme Council,
George w. Howard, grand chief OF the
brotherhood of Railway Conductors and
vice president of the supreme council;
5. G. Wilkinson, grand master of the
Brotherhood ot Railway Trainmen, and
Frank Sweeney. grand master Of the
Switchmen's Mutual Aid Association.
At the conference with Powderly at
Buffalo the members of the supreme
council became satisfied that tho otti-
cials of the road by every consid Grafton
OF fair and honorable treatment of the
labor organizations, should meet
Powderly and adopt some just plan for
the adjustment of the grievance of the
striking employees. This conclusion
having been reached, the mem bers of
the supreme council, in response to the
request of Powderly, extended their
Journey to New York to afford suc h aid
as was in their power to bring about q
settlement between Vice President
Webb, that official having full authority
ON all matters pertaining to the strike.
and Powderly having authority to
negotiate such arrangements for the
knights as might end the dispute. An
interview having been secured, Povderly
sought to have the men discharged
heard in their own defense in the
presence of Webb and himself This
fair and honorable proposition was re-
fused. Powderly then proposed arbi-
tration, which was also refused. There
were other propositions made by
rowderly, having for their object an
honorable settlement of the existing
trouble, all of which were refused ON the
part of Webb.
Tho membe of the supreme council,
while in Buffalo and New York. had
ample opportunities to thoroughly in
form themselves upon matters con corn
ing the strike. They saw aud heard
both sides. They appreciated the
gravity of the situation, and Compre-
bending the impending consequences to
the labor organizations, deemed il
advisable to convene the supreme coun-
Gil for deliberaton and such con-
clusions as the facts should warrant, and
in response to the order OF Sargent,
.Nlt tl.. oil hat
body convened in Terre Hauto last
Saturday and remained in session until
noon to-day.
In making their report to the council,
the members who went to New York to
confer with Powderly found all the
statements made by him fully corrobor-
ated by the facts.
In the interview with Webb, he re-
fused TO entertain any proposition
looking to a settlement of the difficulty.
lie would not arbitrate any question,
nor would he make any explanation or
concession whatever with regard 10 the
discharged employees.
He claimed the right to discharge en-
ployes at will, without making any ox-
planation, or giving to the victims of his
power any reason for his despotic action.
lie would manage his road to suit hin-
sell without reference to any of the
rights claimed by its employees, or any
OF the rights claimed by the labor organ-
izations to interfere in the matter to pro-
teet their members.
The council having heard tho state.
ments oil the members who had visited
Sew York for the purpose OF ascertain
nlg the true condition of affairs, ex-
naustively discussed every important
proposition, and arrived at conclusions
As follows:
First-The position of tho knights of
LABOR as set forth by Powderly, general
master workman and chief executive Of
tne Knights of Labor, meets with our
unqualified approval.
oecond-The course pursued by Webb
ftowaru Powderly and the Knights Of
labor, Notwithstanding his declarations
U .he contrary, evinces his purpose 10
u,srupt and destroy the labor organiza-
lions on the New York Central 4
tucson River railroad, as was done by
Reading
ihird-The policy of Webb Is despotic
ah extent that outrages every princi-
pe OF american citizenship, and, If gen.
S,ally adopted, would, If successful, re-
o 1uee american workmen to degraded
condition of affairs.
,rouIth-Webb, by the employment OF
yiia iikerton thieves, thugs and murderers
oi. wretches from the slums and broth
vi Sew York and other cities
XIII workingmen because they
4&ie and strike for their rights is a crime
such enormity us will associate the
maine OF Webb forever with those who
res nessea In little brief authority, have
dau thelr money to secure power and
ueBrade their fcllowmen.