The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-07-11

CHICAGO. July l0-Knights of Labor
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 70 all
members of the organization to cease
work until the conflict originating in the
strike Of the Pullman employees shall have
been settled. Following is the text of tie
order:
CHICAGO, July 10.
To the Knights OF Labor OF America:
GREETING-A crisis has been reached in
the at airs of this nation that endsn gers
the peace Of the republic. Every fiber in
our civil structure i strained 10 the
breaking point. The shadows Of factional
hatred hover over our far land win terri
bic forebOding The arrogant lash of
superiority is being applied by the corpor
ations with relentless fury aud the chasm
between the masses aud the classes is
growing deeper and wider each succeeding
day. Ii peace Is restored and this nation
saved from acts repulsive 10 the conscience
OF all Christian people, there must be wise
action, and that quickly
Sincerely believing that the flames Of
discard are being purposely famed by the
railway corporations at the risk Of the life
OF the government, | take the liberty TO
appeal to you and through You TO the con-
science Of the whole people, imploring you
TO lay down the implements of toll for a
short time and under the banner OF peace
and with patriotic desire To promote the
public welfare, use the power of your
aggregated numbers through peaceAbie
assemblages TO create a healthy public SEN
tlment In favor of an amicable settlement
of the Issues growing out of the recent
frfl- ,F - Dg,fF l..
are further requested not To return 10
your usual avocatiOns until settlement
OF the pending trouble is made known 10
you through some authentic source. Ia
The present strained relations between cor
porations aud their employees is involved a
principle near and dear to all American
citizens, the right of labor to present
grievances 10 the owners aud represent
atlve5 and corporate capital.
TIE Pullman Palace Car comnauy re-
fused TO arbitrste the differences between
itself and its employees, on the ground that
cars were baIlt below cost, ami therefore
there was nothing TO arb trAte. But the
conclusion OF every unprecedented mind
must be that If such were the true facts il
could have nothing 10 fear at the hands Of
al arbitration committee. But the Pull
man company goes farther in its auto
cratic policy than a refusal TO arbitraIe
II has refused to join with the business
men and the board OF aldermen of Chicago
lu a COMMITTEES to discuss the question as
to whether there is ANYTHING To arbItrate
or not, and behind this autocratic policy
Stands the Managers association of the
railway corporations. backed by the
United States army rs the aIders and abet-
tors of this social crime
Suppose tie Pullman company had in
vitei organic d labor 10 arOitrata, and or
ganiZsd labor had declined the invitation
aud refused 10 discuss the question as 10
whet her there was anything TO arbitrate or
not; 10 is needless 10 say L wave of popular
indignation would obliterate every labor
orga liz alton from the face OF this coun-
try, and no more could be formed for the
next fifty years. The stigma OF such
position would follow every name con-
necte1 with organized labor to 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 brIgands OF
old they rob the laboring III asses and EN-.
ploy the sword and bluigeon aud set up a
throne on the bones OF the vanQuished, and
declare their divine right to rGle over the
balance Of MANKIND.
The Pullman company claims, notwith-
The wages of their employees were
reduced u the Starving point, that there
is nothing to arbitrate because cars have
been QUILT at a loss, yet II Hegiects TO state
that the stock OF the company has been
watsret three times over and that the
company has not only been able to pay its
regular dividends on stock, water and all,
but that its stocks have lon. been and are
at the present time At a premium on the
stock markets. Mr.. Pullman cries poverty
to his starving employees aud then retreats
to his priuce!y summer mansion on Pull
mans island IN the -. Lawrence river and
wires he business men Of CnicaGo that he
has nothing 20 arbitr4te. Like Nero. be
laughs IN luxury while devoted martyrs
burn
II the present strike Is lost TO labor 10
will retard the progress OF civilization and
reduce the possibility of labor TO ever
itself from the thraldom Of
greed. The dignity OF labor and all the
victories won IN the past are at stake IN
this present conflict. / beseech you TO be
true 10 your obligations In this hour Of
trial. Court the cooperation OF the gen
erous public.
Stand firm and united in our common
cause and the victory will be one OF peace
and prosperity for. the faithful.
!. X. SOVEREIGN,
Grand Master " 0rkrnln
AL Knights OF Labor ASSEMBLIES In Chi
caEO were notified ny the district master
workman TO take action on the plan
adopted az the recent labor conference, all
being adjured to maintain pesce