The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-16
And Discussed with Them the Question
Of Arbitrating the Big Strike.
A lengthy Chapter that Treats of an Inter
esting Theme, and Which Throws New
Light on Some of the Issues Involved.

A NJ, Mr.. GouIo opened the conference, saying:
Mr. Powderly, as to my interview with you on
Sunday, it was very unfortunate that anything
was said without my approval 1t was under
stood that we would meet as individuals, and
that what transpired was to be strictly confiien-
tial. and, If any part of that conversation came
out, why the whole interview ought to come
| out"
Mr. Powderly-Nothing has escaped me at all.
have not said word about any conversation.
Mr. Could saw in the papers the next morn
ing, garbled statement of what took place, and
had not opened my mouth,
Mr. Powderly-Is didn't come from me.
| Mr. Gould-Dld it come from Mr.. MCDOWELL
| Mr. McDowel-No You know the reporters
manufacture things when they don't get it.
Mr.. Gould-Here is telegram got from Mr..
Hoxie. told you would send Mr. Hoxie that
dispatch. At $780, yesterday morning, when
| got down town, got this from Mr.. Hoxie. He
says
| have your message in relation to your interview
with Mr. Powderly, and also the letter of instruc-
TONS and will carry out the same to the best of my
ability.
In fact, he is now proceeding to carry out the
instructions which gave him. Mr. Hoxe con
tinues
copy of your letter to Powdery, and of his order
to Irons and to the Knights of Labor strike,
also appeared in the morning papers, before had an
opportunity to send it to him myself and the follow
/ New York:
:. Mr.. Gould recognizes our order, said Mr.. Pow
DERBY; he addresses by the title of G. M. W.-Gen-
eral Master Workman. There were some misunder-
standings which our conference cleared up almost
mediately. Had Mr.. Gould been at home, and had
| had a chance to see him. this strike am certain
would not have taken than two Or three days to
settle am satisfied he will be ready to have aE diff
ferences discussed in the future before there is
sity for strike. This is pleasant ending of
pleasant business and one almost always sure to come
when the heads of opposing conditions come to-
gether to talk matters Mr. Powderly Is to meet
Mr.. Gould at $50 o'clock Monday morning, and then
| the committee of arbitration will be appointed, as
originally suggested by the executive board-three
members by each sde and they choose the seventh
Mr.: Powderlys order includes from 10000 to Ia :
600 men, employees of the Iron Mountain Missouri
| Pacific. and Missouri Kansas & Texas Pacific. 1t
also includes the men on the local roads running into
| st. Louis" IL. M. HOxIE.
| Mr. McDowell-You will see, on the face of it.
that the latter part of that is the reporters own
adding. My understanding was that if tie or
der was sent by Mr.. Powdery to resume work,
then the order and the letter was to be given to
| the press.
| Mr.. Could didn't understand that there was
! any order to be issued by Mr.. Powderly, had
| no understanding at all. Mr. Powderly said that
! he had in his mind the question whether he
| would revoke the charter of 101-that they chad
| disobeyed the laws of the organization" When
he said that, l said: II have no objection to
| show you now, a telegram which shall send to
Mr.. Hoxie tomorrow morning. I get down town
about $50, and shall send it when get there"
| And read the dispatch, and Mr. Powdsrly said
that he approved of it, and asked if would not
| give him copy of it, which I did Now it is all
wrong to msconstrue me and put me before my
superintendent out there in the light of having
said one thing one day. and whitfield around and
said another thing another day. It destroys ali
organization.
Mr.. MCDOWELL had not finished when you
interrupted me. My understanding, when Mr..
Powderly left. was that was to remain, and
would receive your letter, and then, if the order
was sent out by the executive board for the men
to return to work. that the order and letter was
| to he returned and delivered to you.
Mr. Gould-There was no understanding like
that
Mr.. Powderly-As to the revocation of the
charter, asked the question. Suppose did DO
that; how much better would it make it? These
men out there would understand that nobody
cared for them" and asked the question, "Wil
it not make matters worse9n Is not that the way
Iput ita
Mr.. Gould-Possibly you might I under
| stood that that was what you were going to do
| Mr.. Hopkins followed it up by saying that year
| ago, when this matter was arbitrated by the
| Governors, and when they found that we were
IN the wrong, we stood by and let the news
| A.-.~
that we had been defeated-Jay Gould was de-
| feated-and now he says, when you are in the
wrong, you ought to take the consequences this
| time showing exactly the view we took. Am
| not right
| Mr. Hopkins-And Mr.. Mcdowell said these
men were rebels; that they were rebeling against
| the order
| Mr.. Powderly-He said partly in rebellion
| Mr.. Hopkins-He may have said that, but that
is the idea that got. Your general order that
you issued to your people discountenanced--
| Mr. Powderly-T didn't admit that was in
| the wrong at all.
! Mr. Hopkins-No. sir; didn't admit that you
were, either.
| Mr. Gould Ito Mr.. Hopkins)-Shall / read that
letter. referring to letter on the desk
! Mr. Hopkins-It shows how those people feel
| in regard to it. There is no use of reading the
name that is signed to the letter. 1t simply
| shows the way they feel.
| Mr. Gould-Suppose You read il.
| Mr.. Hopkins-This is letter from Omaha
speaking of the condition of things on the Union
Pacific.
Mr. Hopkins read the letter, as follows:
/ The executive committee of the Knights of Labor
4 hal haaS hair han.
| went down to Kansas the other day the
/ path" They preparing for strike everywhere.
They got back to Denver the Goth. My informant
writes that their whole temper had changed. In
i conversation among themselves they bitterly de-
/ nounced the Knights Of Labor of Missouri and Kan.
sas as being '.without organization, discipline sense
or decency" They add that the Kansas City and the
| Missouri Pacific strikes without valid reason.
in violation u the rules of the order. and