The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-07-12
KNIGHTS ORDERED OUT.
A MILLION MEN ORDERED TO CEASE
WORK TODAY.
Grand Master Workman Sovereign Orders
all Knights Of Labor in America to
Cease Work and Remain Out Until
Pullman surrenders.

CHICAGO, July 10.-The Knights of
Labor throughout the entire country,
nearly 1000, 900 men, have
been called upon to strike for the
cause Of organized labor. Grand Mas
ter Workman Sovereign issued an orN
der late this afternoon to all members
of the organization to cease work uno
til the conflict originating in the strike
at Pullman shall have been settled.
Following is the text of the order:
To the Knights of Labor of Misunderstanding:
IA crisis has been reached in the af-
fairs of this nation that endangers the
peace of the republic. Every fibre in
our civil structure is strained to the
breaking point. The shadows of fac
tional hatred hover over our fair land
with terrible forebOdings. The AFRO
CANT lash of superiority is being ap-
oiled by the corporations with relent-
less fury and the chasm between the
masses and the classes is growing
deeper and wider each succeeding day.
If peace is restored and this nation
saved from acts repulsive to the con-
science of Christian people there must
be wise action and that
quickly Sincerely believing that
the flames Of discord are
being purposely famed by
the railway corporations at the
risk of the life of the government, |
take the liberty to appeal to you ard
through the conscience Of the whole
people, imploring you to lay down the
implement of toll for short season
and under the banner of peace and
with a patriotic desire to promote the
public Welfare and the power of your
apgrieyed numbers through peaceable
assemblages to create a healthy pubs
lie sentiment in favor OF an amlcable
settlement of issues growing out OF the
recent strike of the Pullman employees.
And you are further requested not to
return to your usual avocations until
settlement of the pending trouble has
been settled.
In the present strained relations
between corporations and their em-
ployes is evolved principle near and
dear to all Americans-the right OF
labor to present its grievances to the
owners and representatives of corpo~
rate capital. The Pullman Palace Car
company refused to arbitrate the diff
ferences between itself and its en-
ployes on the ground that cars were
built below cost and therefore there
was nothing to arbitrate. But the
conclusion of an unprejudiced mind
must be that, if such were the true
facts, it could have nothing to fear at
the hand of an arbitration committee.
But the Pullman company goes far
ther in its autocratic policy than a re-
fusal to arbitrate. 1t has
refused to Join with the business
men and board of aldermen OF Chi
cago in a committee to discuss the
question as to whether there is any
thing to arbitrate or not and behinC
this autocratic policy stands the man
ayers association of the railway cor
porations, backed by the United
States army as the aiders and abeter
of this social crime.
Suppose the Pullman company haC
invited organized labor to arbitrat
and organized labor had declined tn,
invitation and refused to discuss TIN
question as to whether there was any
thing to abitrate or not, it is needles
to say that a wave of popular indigna
ton would obliterate every labo
organization from the face @
this country. The stigma @
such position would folloN
every name connected with organize
labor to the grave. But in the presen
crisis the corporations whose wealt
has been created by labor takes tn
position that they are superior an
choke their creators. Like the brig
ands of old they rob the laborin
masses and employ the sword an
bludgeon and set up throne on tn
bones of the vanquished an1 declar
their divine right to rule over tn
: balance of mankind.
The Pullman company claims the
Notwithstanding the wages OF the
: | employees were reduced
the starvation uOinU thel
is nothing to arbjJrate becau.
r. cars have been built at los
; Vet i5 negJeCts to SIT te that the stol
4 Of the company has been waterG
o three times over aud that tbeCouuaI
has NOT only been able 70 pay itsrsgl
lar dividends ON water and all, but +
stocks have long been and are at q.
present time All premium ON {.
D. stock m srkers.
q Pullman cries poverty to his sta
wing employees and retreats to /
plilc.y summer mansion on the S
" Lawrence river and tells the businz
men of Chicago that ne has nothing
Sc arbitaate Like Nero ne laughs
. luxury while devored martyrs bur
81 2 If Eba r,va-a,T sfvil-o l. lo-t 1 - 1S n