The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-04-24
Jay Could Before the Investigating
Committee


WASHINGTON, April 22.-Jay Gould testified
| before the Labor Investigation Committee this
morning, and the committee room and corridor
| leading thereto were crowded with people, most
of whom came simply to catch a glimpse of the
millionaire There were quite number of ladies
in attendance. Chairman Curtin sat at the head
of the table, but Congressman Burnes conducted
the examination. Mr.. Gould had with him Gen.
Swayne, his counsel while in seat opposite,
Grand Master Workman Powderly kept a close
watch on the proceedings. Mr.. Gould began by
saying that he did not think his road-the Missou-
ri Pacifc-came under the scope of the commit
tees inquiry, but went on and told his story.
Nearly two hours were consumed in the narration
of the well understood story of the strike. Gen.
Swayne read all the agreements. reports of arb-
traitors, kilograms and letters as they happened
1t was evidently Mr.. Goulds intention, on direct
examination, to make a free defence Of the posi-
tion assumed by the Missouri Pacific people, and
his statement covered the whole history of the
was finished
btration is getting to be very easy and popular
way of settling difficulties between individuals
and corporations, and between corporations and
favor of arbitration. regard the employees of a
railroad company as upon different footing from
corporation. A railway corporation acts in two
senses; First as private corporation, and sec
OnQ as pubic corporation, having a contract
with the State, by which it has certain duties to
perform. These duties are to be performed not
by the rails and engines alone, but by the entire
organization, and they clothe themselves with
public duties from the president to the lowest en-
ploye They clothe themselves with the public
duties which appertain to the operation of that
railroad as an entirety"
Commenting upon the complicated duties of Mr..
P0wderly as Grand Master Workman of the
Knights of Labor, Mr.. Gould said he himself had
all and even more than he could do to manage the
Missouri Pacific railroad, while Mr.. PowdeTly at
tempted to manage every interest in the country,
including the more than 10000 miles of rail-
Mr.. Gould said he had always been an advocate
OF arbitration, and was perfectly willing to give
the arbitration scheme proposed by Congress
thorough and fair trial if it became a law Mr..
Gould said he was willing, and so were the other
Missouri Pacific officers always ready to arbi-
employees, but did not propose to deal with the
men as the order of the knights of Labor, be-
cause there were 10000 men in the employ of the
company VINO were notmemberS of that order.
WASHINGTON April 23.-The fourth session of
the committee opened at IL O'Clock today, with
the examination of Frederick S. Turner General
Secretary and Treasurer of the Knights of Labor
Gen. Swayne, Jay Gould's COUNSEL Twas again
present to watch the proceedings in the interest
Western Union Telegraph Company, who yester-
day accompanied MI. Gould, was also present.
Representative Warner of Ohio was introduced
to and had a long conversation with MeSSrs. Nc
Dowell and Turner. Mr.. Turner's testimony was
not of particular Importance, and dealt with the
internal working Of the order. This had been al
ready explained by Mr.. Powderly and others.
The committee, at 1.30 p M, closed their sit
t1ngS IN Washington, and it was arranged that
the members should leave for st. Louis on Monday