Evening star., 1896-07-02

Chicago when the letters reached their
homes.
report today reached the executive
board Of the Street Railway Assembly whilo
1t was in session that q high official of the
Metropolitan Company last evening made
the statement that the company cared
nothing whatever for the avalanche Of let
ters from Congressman that have been
reaching them during the last few days.
end that no attention would be paid to the
communications: ard Mr.. F. N. Thomas
supervisor of trains on the 9th street une
was quoted as saying after a visit to the
office last evening that he was informed
by competent authority that no men will
be hired by the company for any purpose
until after the 4th instant. Saturday next,
and that the knights of Labor men who
were discharged will not be reinstated-"
The members of the assembly were much
gratified at the publication in yesterdays
Star Of an interview with Mr.. T. P. Kane
by Star reporter on the subject OF the
charge that they had lobbied against the
company before Congress. and they stated
they regarded Mr.. Kanes statement as a
complete vindication Of themselves from
the charge that they tried to interfere with
the company's business affairs regarding
legislation desired by the latter.
The executive board of the assembly was
today notified by a prominent business man
that he would take $50 worth Of tickets for
their excursion on July 80.
The kniEhts' Reply.
The general secretary-treasurer of the X.
of L. today sent the following reply to Mr..
Phillips letter:
WASHINGTON. d. c.. July 2. 1896
Samuel L. Phillips. esq, president Met
ropolitan Railroad Company. Washington,
D. C.
Dear sir: Yours of the 1st instant just
to hand, In which you say that the 'drec-
tors will receive any statement, argument
or defense in writing relative to the dis
micsal of the men, and the same will re-
ceive their careful and impartial considere-
ticn.
In reply I desire to say that you have
evidently misunderstood our position In
the matter. Our men are not aware of
what II any, offense they are charged
With except what common rumor is re-
sponslble for. The directors or yourself
rave not officially made any statement as
10 inc cause of dispensing with their serv-
ices; the men have good records for eff
Cheney, and you your1elf have testified that
they we're among the most satisfactory
employees of the road.
1T is because Of this uncertainty and the
widespread feeling existing, that the dis
charge was caused merely On account of
their membership in labor organization
and the further claim made by one of your
directors, unofficially on the street in con-
Versation that the men were held re-
sponslbie for the defeat of legislation in
the session of Congress just closed. we
nave asked for a personal conference so
that all doubts may be cleared up and all
misunderstan ling swept away.
No charges having been made no de-
Tense is possible; but we have tried pe--
slstently since the inception of the trouble
TO get some idea CT the position of the
company without success.
e are prepared to answer and lis
prove any charge which the comrany or
any OF Its representatives may bring for
ward, and OF behalf of the men | would
respectfully ask for bill of particulars.
we have endeavored by every honorable
means TO arrange for an amica5le adjust
nient OF the existing difficulty without an
hoyahce TO any one; We have so far faile.:
10 get anything definite from yourself or
the company, and as We have no desire to
ccntlrue in suspense prolong the con-
uoVersy, we should like to get a definite
UT roerstanding Of the position of the com
pa.ly by tomorrow Friday) evening
10 sum up, We claim that the d schargod
men have been faithful and loyal in eyerv
respect; that outside of their memberships
IN the knights of Labor no cause of com
pialnt can successfully be charged against
them and we therefore respectfully ur-a
theif immediate reinstatement or some
satisfactory reason for refusing this re-
quest. -'
With the hopes that the directors will
give this their immediate and fayora ,Ie
consideration, l am" &c.