Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-04-29
He had not consented to its publicity at

otoH VI WI. dOXle, ana morning Mr..
Powderly that he (GoulO did not want to
De Understood by his telegram to Hoxie,
In which he said that eve see no obiec-
ton to arbitrating troubles with en-
ployes, past and future" as saying that
there should be arbitration. 1t was only
consent to arbitration on his (Gould's)
part, and that Hoxie was left free to act
or not.
lGould's explanation, taken in connec-
ton with that of Mr.. Mcdowell yesterday
makes the misunderstanding clear. The
representatives of the Knights of Labor
took Mr.. Gould1s consent to arbitration
as declaration of acceptance of the
proposition made by the Knights of La
Dor to arbitrate, while Mr.. Gould thought
he was simply consenting that Mr.. HoXie
should arbitrate.1
Considerable time was occupied by the
witness in reading the proclamations by
local assemblies, Knights of Labor, upon
the assumption of victory in the termina-
ton of the strike. He read a portion of
the proclamations in a dramatic way, his
weak voice at times rising to high pitch.
One of the proclamationS denounced the
witness as ga master fiend, ga robber of
rich and poor; buyer of votes to rob US
of our little homes;" ga Brighter of
lives" AS the rough passages were read
and at times the jamming, surging crowd
present Uttered and smiled.
Mr.. Gould introduced large bunch OF
printed matter, the same being copies of
al the correspondence between himself
and his subordinates with representatives
of the Knights of Labor, together with
all notices issued by the Missouri Pacific
officers and Knights of Labor bearing on
the strike. From this he read many let
tiers, kilograms, notices, etc., and COM
mented upon and explained them, giving
his reasons and those of his subordinateS
for issuing much of the matter, and the
effect of some of the proclamations made
by the Knights of Labor.
Mr.. Gould evinced a thorough knowl-
edge of the strike, and the causes of it,
and showed that he had made prepare
lions for testifying intelligently and
fully. Frequently General Swayne read
from the printed compilation, which was
prepared for the appearance of Mr..
Gould before the committee.
Mr.. Gould stated that he would enter
this matter as part of his testimony, but
that he wished to read or have read GER
tain portions of it to the committee that
he might explain its purpose.
When the committee reassembled after
recess, Mr.. Grain asked Mr.. Gould what
he knew about railroad companies
evading the laws by contracting with
construction companies for building
roads. OF this the witness knew moth
ing.
Referring again to Mr.. Powderly's in
terview with Mr.. Gould, Mr.. Grain asked
what, if Mr.. Gould regarded the strike
as over at that time, was the object of the
interview. 1t was, he said, simply to
talk the situation over, and to discuss
the general principles of arbitration.
When asked about reference in some
of the published dispatches to Wall street
influence, Mr.. Gould asserted that he had
engaged in no speculative transactions
either long or short in Missouri Pacific
since the LIST of January last.
Mr.. Cultivate asked Mr.. Gould
whether the interest of the company or
the welfare of the public would have suf-
fered by the action of Mr.. Powderly's
proposition to arbitrate, as indicated in
his telegram to the Knights of Labor in
st. Louis. MIR. Gould answered this by
saying that when he and Mr.. Powder1y
separated he did not think an agreement
had been reached. Mr.. Cultivate fol-
lowed this up by saying there seemed to
be a divergence in views between Mr..
Gould and Mr.. Powderly, which occurred
after the interviews, but repeated the
saw in accepting Mr.. Powderly's PROPOSE
ton to arbitrate. Mr.. Gould explained
that his objection was that the matter
was in Mr.. Hoxie's hands, and he pro-
posed to let it stand there.
Mr. Cultivate seemed not to regard this
as satisfactory reply, and asked the re-
porter to read the question which he had
propounded three or four times. After
the question had been read Mr.. Gould
answered it by saying there was no such
proposition agreed to.
"But," continued Mr.. Cultivate s'it
seems Mr.. Powderly thought there was
such proposition agreed to and the
people so understood it." Mr.. Gould
again responded that there was no such
agreement.
Snow them" said MIR. Cultivate, "sup-
pose there was such an agreement, what
injury would have come to the company
had they accepted it2" and to this Mr..
Gould answered that it might have in
volved taking back Knights of Labor who
were out of the company's employ and
who were not needed.
"Then,' said Mr.. Cultivate, "you
didn't intend to settle any differences be-
tween the Knights of Labor who were
out of your employ"
eyes" SAID Mr.. Gould, ''that was the
understanding"
Mr.. Burnes then Intercepted Mr..
Gould about his connection with the Mis-
souri, Pacific, the extent of Its lines and
the history of its construction, but he
knew nothing about the history of its
construction, not having any interest in
it until 1879.
Mr.. Burnes then asked witness about
the effect of pooling on the public inter-
est.
Mr.. Gould thought it beneficial to the
railroads and to the people who lived
along the lines of the road.
"Then, in theory" said Mr.. Burnes,
scompetition between two competing
roads, say the Fort Wayne and Lake Shore
roads to Chicago, is not beneficial"
To this Mr.. Gould replied:
ssI am not running those roads; better
ask those familiar with them"
Mr.. BurneS continued his inquiries
about local and through competition, and
charges for long and short hauls, but MIR.
Gould did not volunteer his views on
these questions, saying they did not come
within his province, and that he did not
know much about such details.
Mr. Burnes considered this question
involving general principles OF the rail-
road problem, and ceased questioning the
witness further about it.
Chairman Curtin said he regretted that
the resolutions under which the commit
tee were working did not permit an IN
quiry into railroad building and watering
of stock generally, but intimated that the
committee would get to the bottom of the
railroad problem.
Mr.. Gould said then perhaps he would
A.. Il &c, fsNr