The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-11

Master Workman Sovereign Calls Out
All Knights OF Labor.


CHICAGO, July 10-The Knights of Ls-
Dor throughout the country. numbering
nearly 100000 men, have been called
upon 10 strike for the cause of
organized labor. General Master
Workman Sovereign issued an order
late this evening for sill members of the
organization 10 cease work until the con-
fiiet originating in the strike of the Pull
man employees shall have been settled
Following is the text OF the order:
To the x. Of L. Of America, Greeting: A
crisis has been reached in the affairs OF
this nation that endangers the piece
OF the republic. Every fiber in orr
civil structure Is strained TO the
breaking point. The shadows of
factional hatred hover over our fair land
with terrible forebodings. The arrogant
lash of superiority is being applied by the
corporations with relentless fury, and
the chasm between the masses and
wider with each succeeding day.
II peace is restored and this nation saved
from acts repulsiye to the conscience OF all
Christian people there must be wise ac-
ticn. and that quickly.
sincerely believing that the flames OF
discord are being purposeiy famed by the
railroad corporations at the risk OF the life
OF the government, / take the liberty
10 appeal 10 you and through you
to the conscience of the whole peo-
pie, imploring you TO lay down the
implements OF toll for q short season,
and under the banner of peace and with a
patriotic desire TO promote the public well
fare. use the power of your aggregated
numbers and through peaceable assem-
blages create heat in public senti-
ment in favor OF an amieablo settle
of "a mi nf ha
recent strike OF the Pullman employees,
and you are further requested not TO re-
turn 10 your usual ayocations until q set
Element of the pending trouble is made
known TO you through some authentic
source.
''In the present strained relations be-
tween the corporations and the employees
Is involved principle near and dear to
all American citizens. the right of labor To
present its grievances TO the owners and
representatives of corporate capital.
The Pullman Palace Car Company
refused 20 arbttrate the differences
between itself and its employees on the
ground that cars were built below cost
and therefore there was nothing to arbi-
trate. but the conclusion of every un-
preiudiced mind must be that if such
were the true facts, IL could have
nothing to fear at the hands of an
arbitration committee. But the Pullman
company goes further in its autocratic
policy than refusal to arbitrate 1t has
refused TO Join with business men aud the
board OF aldermen of Chicago In a COM
mittee TO discuss the question as to
whether there is anything to arbitrate or
or not, and behind this autocratic policy
stands the Managers Association of the
railway companies, backed by the United
States army and the abettors of this social
crime.
invited organized labor to arbitrate and
organized labor had declined the invi-
tation and refused 10 discuss the
question whether there was anything 10
arbitrate or not IL is needless TO
say wave of popular indignation
would obllterate IL from the face of this
continent and no more could be formed
such position would follow every
name connected with organized labor
10 the grave. But in the present
crisis the corporations whose wealth
has been created by labor take
the position that they are prior and
choke their creator. Like the brsgsnds of
old, they rob the laboring masses and en-
pioy the sword and the bsudgeon and set
up throne on the bones Of The van
pushed and declare their divine right
20 rule over the balance of mankind
The Pullman company claims that
Notwithstanding the wages OF their en-
pioyes were reduced 20 the starving point.
there is nothing to arbitrate. The stock
OF the company has been watered three
times over and the company has not on
been able 20 pay ITS regular dividends on
water, but its stocks have long been and
are At the present time held at a premium
| on the stock market.
III the present strike is lost 20 labor IL
| will retard the progress of civilization and
49, - IL.
emaneipale Itself from the thTal!dom OF
/ greed. The dignity Of labor and all the
/ victories Won IN the past are at stake in this
/ conflict. / beseech you TO be true 10 your
/ obligations IN this hour Of trial Court
/ the cooperation Of the generous public.
/ Stand arm and united in our common
| cause and the victory Sill &c one of peace
and prosperity for the faithful
-. r. SovERK4aN.
General Mastes Workman
The committee on arbitration today
/ made 8 report that ali efforts 90 effect a
settlement had been unayMliag. and 4
general strike viii be ia force eommenc.
| ing tomorrow morning
President Dehs said tsssAy that the in.
/ dustFiss Of Chicago will be completely tied
Up tomorrow moraing. nshs added
This trouble has gone beyond the con.
looks as II = gigantic strike were 10 come.
50 FAR as the railway uaioa Is concerned
things are brighter than ever. There Is no
violence. That Is whsl We have most 10
fear"
All Knights 81 I.abar assemblies In
Chicago we're notified by the district n, As.
ter workman % take action on the plan
adopted az the receat iss.sr conference. al
msmbsFs be.ng adiare3 70 maintain peaoe
AMI ertieL
oNssA, JAY ia--nistriei Master Work.
man Cohen. 81 the knigAts u Labor. y M
s0ncgFos cal oat al she members 81 his
organization IN omsha, Soufh Omaha and
Lgnecin. IN accordance with order. from
General Master WoFkmaa Sovereign. II
Is believed that the union Pacific men
Ns8 refuse - osey ths order, although
Cohen expresses confidence that fFom
a.eso - 6eo men Nia walk oct in tie
three cities
CoLraHrs JAY IN -- John McBslds.
president 81 she Caslsa Mae Workers 81
America, received totay thss telegram
from ssmasl GSmpsgs "A crisis ia TIE
Industrial sitaauon 81 the ooantsy Is al
baud Ik heh0oves ia 10 sndssyog 10