The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-04-22
Mr.. P0WDERLY TESTIFIES
BEFORE THE CONGRESSIONAL iNVEs-
TloATlNe COMMITTEE.

His Appearance as lilo Took the Witness
stand--Gould's Henchmen, Wallets and
Biily Goats ON Hand In whlspera--A
Plain Revelation OF tho situation,
WAsHINGToN, April 2l,-There was con-
siderable delay In beginning theinyestigatlon
into the labor troubles by the special com
mitteo appointed by speaker Carlisle for that
purpose, The delay arose from difficulty
encountered In procuring suitable room In
which the committee could set The speaker
partially arranged for the use OF a committee
room In the house, but as there was some mis-
understanding about II chairman Curtin pro
cured a room In the Congressional hotel,
block away from the capital
The committee was called 10 order, and Mr.,
Powderly, grand master workman Of tho
Knights OF Labor Of the United States, took
the witnes, chair Mr. Powderly was dressed
In gray checkrred suit He has large
head, entirely bald on top, and wears u thick,
long, light brown noustache, lle has pierre
Ing, bright steel-colored eyes, and full face,
aud clear complexion.
Whom he took the witness chair he glanced
about the room and recognized three or four
Stenographers present 10 report tho proceed
inga for the Gould system OF railroads Quito
u crowd OF spectators were present, amonl
them General Swayne, tho attorney for Jay
Gould, and three or four ladies, MealH
Turner, Hayes and Mcdowell, OF tho exeou-
two board Of the Knights OF Labor were also
present, and while waiting for the members
OF the committee 10 arrive had u long whs,
pered conference In ono corner Of the com.
mlttee room. Chairman Curtin asked Mr.,
Powderly what no know about the causes OF
unrest and disturbances between capital aud
labor,
Mr. Powderly said tho question was n
broad ono and opened up NO large a field OF
inquiry that he preferred not 10 attempt 10
answer II without first fortlfylng himself
with papers and documents which ho had
with him, Ho preferred 10 answer specific
questions,
Governor Curtin then asked him what was
tho cause OF disturbances existing In western
localities Mr. Powdorly said that II had
been orronoously reported that the strike was
Of a man by tho name OF Hall, but this was
only one OF many causes that led 10 tho
strike
In support OF this no read tho statement
put out by the st. Louis Knights Of Labor,
rociting their grievances, low salaries, long
hours OF services, etc, Mr. Curtin then asked
the witnesses what wore tho objects aud aims
OF tho Knights Of Labor organizations
It's object, Mr., Powdcrly said. was 10 pro-
tect labor against tho oxactions OF employ
og, Tho aims OF the organization were
entirely peaceful but OF course liable 10 DO
misunderstood by its own members Ho as
surod the committee that II II were found
that Knights Of Labor In tho west had
violated the laws Of land the organization
would be as ready tu ,itlp punish them ~ IL
IL TO aid them In rodrcssIng their wrongs,
With the organization the laws OF tho land
stand high above any organization or corpo-
ration,
When asked what was tho attitude OF tho
organization toward strikes and boycotts,
Mr.. Powdcrly said II aimed 10 adjust all diff
fercnocs by conciliution and arbitration, IL
had never lcgislatod on strikes, but had 10.
Gently legislatod on boycotts 10 restrain
them. The mOttor Of ordering strike was
loft 10 the local assemblies Of tho order
Representative Burncs. told Mr., Powdorly
that congress, tho committee and the people
had great deal Of confidence In witnesses In.
togrity and asked him II ho had given
thought 10 the question Of congressional logis-
lation 10 remedy the OWLS complained OF by
wording men, and, would give tho committee
his views on the subject,
Mr., powdorly said he had given II oonsd.
cradle thought but hal not yet worked out
tho problem, llo thought within u month
after ho had time 10 lcok through data that
h. could present the conmittc with an intclli.
gent aud perhaps interesting statement ON
the subject.
Mr., powdcrly then presented aud read tho
agreement OF March II, 1885, between tho
Missouri Pacific company and its employees,
the violation Of which by the railroad com.
pany * alleged 10 have been one OF the causes
Of the strike, He also won't over some do
tails Of tho recent strike aud western troubles
but presented nothing new or remarkable
At 2ils the committee without finishing
with Mr. Powdcrly adjourned 10 moot To-
marrow M lutlD Tn