The Indianapolis journal., 1886-04-21

no shield for him; and have thought on the
other hand. that the man who violates the law.
and who is worth millions of dollars. should
suffer the same as the poor man. have made
that statement, and the people have seen fit TO
see in 1t an inclination TO anarchy If that Ia
anarchy, in the name of God what Is lawi
Mr.. Burns-The country generally. and
doubt not properly, seems to place good deal of
confidence in your integrity, your intelligence
and your patriotism. Being disposed 70 con-
slider questions practically, I ask if you have
given thought to the question Of a legislative
remedy for the evils to which you have alluded2
Mr. Powderly--I have never worked it out
properly. / have thought it over, but have not
followed it TO its conclusion.
Mr.. Burns-Will you be able during the sit
tings Of this committee, to give US your views
On the question of the remedy for the wrongs9
Mr. Powderly-How long is the committee
likely to sit2
The Chairman-About two months
Mr. Powderly--I think / will be able to, be-
cause in that time you will have an official
declaration from the chief men of our organiza-
tion on that point
Mr. Burns--I would suggest. further that it
may be well to consider what in your judgment.
can be constitutionally done, and what might be
done, and what ought to be done by amendments
to the Constitution.
Mr. Powderly-I shall do so. and I thank you
for the suggestion
Mr. Crain-I find il stated in the bill of priev-
ances produced by you that the men asked for
redress, time and time again, but in vain; that
the executive committee of the Knights of La
Dor sought to settle the matter; and that the re-
ply of the general superintendent of the Mis-
souri, Pacific refusing TO agree to conference as
proposed, can be produced.
Mr. Powderly-Yes; / told, also, that
along the Iron Mountain railway and along the
other roads in parts of Texas, the superntend-
ents and fOremen are interested In company
stores, and that the men are compelled to deal in
thn MI ~ krlI in
many words, that they must deal there, but
they are reminded that it is to their interest to
do so. IL murmur OF complaint is to reach
the ear Of the president of the company, it must
90 through the superintendent, and man will
be discharged as soon as he utters word of
complaint The men whose money is invested
in the railroads know nothing about this. In
many places double prices are charged in these
stores.
Mr. Buchanan-Will you be able to furnish
specific instances of this kindg
Mr. Powderly-The committee will find proofs
of all these things. The men also complain
that convicts are brought from the penitentiaries
in Texas to work on the railroads, and that
striped suits may be seen side by side with hon
est labor in track repairing. That statement
has been made to me by members of the CON-
mittee.
Mr. Buchanan-You promised to furnish the
committee with some views as to the legislative
remedy for troubles of the kind now existing
into view the complex nature of this government
and the divided responsibility between federal
and State legislation, so as to make your sug-
gestion such as the national Legislature can duly
act upon?
Mr.. Powderly-I will do so.
MIR. Crain-What is the principle of the organ
ization known as the Knights of Labor9
Mr.. Powderly-Our organization aims to set
tie all differences by arbitration and reconciia-
ton; and that is one reason why we haye diff
Guilty in managing it. 1t was never thought
of. until recently. that our organization should
have anything to do with strikes. So, too boy
cotting is something which we have never legis-
lated on but once. and that was to restrain 1t.
And our restraining influence will go still fur
ther.
Mr.. Crain-Then the principle on which your
organization is based is that of bringing capital
and labor into closer relationsg
Mr.. Powderly-Yes.
Mr.. Crain-And this strike went into effect on
the authority OF district assembly, not on that
of the general organizatioug
Mr.. Powderly-Our general organization has
never given its general officers any power over
the question of strikes.
At this point the committee adjourned.