The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-04-21
Investigation at Washington.

WASHINGTON, April 20-The special commit
tee of the House of Representatives to inquire in
to the labor difficulties in the Southwest held its
first public session to-day. The committee con-
sists of ex-Gov. Curtin, of Penn, chairman, and
Messrs. Burns, of MsSoui; Grain, of Texas; Cuth-
waite, of Ohio; Stewart, of Vermont; Parker, OF
New York. and Buchanan, of New Jersey. All
members We're present @ except MT
tives Of the Knights were I. V, Powderly Grand
Master Workman, j. W. Hayes and VIM. O. Nc,
Dowell, members OF the Executive Board, and
Frederick Turner, Grand Secretary, as representa-
tive of the railroad interests, Wager Swaln coun-
sell and as representatives of the Women's League
ladies' A corps of four stenographer was on hand
to make full report of the proceedings Tor the
witness and as such was sworn by the chairman.
The chairman addressing him, said: You under
stand that this committee is raised by the House
of Representatives for the purpose, If possible, OF
getting down to the reasons for the unrest ana
disturbance which now exists in this country and
especially as to the conflicts between labor and
capital and between employer and employed.
This committee is fully sensible of the course you
have taken in your previous lie and OF your as
position to reconcile the unrest OF the people.
Therefore we call you as the first witness. Be
pleased now to give to the committee in your own
your G as Vent 70 TINS oHer he his
tory of the recent strike and trouble. 1t was
quite interesting but presented nothing new or
remarkable Having come here without his pa
pers Mr. Powderly confined himself to answering
questions put to him by the different members OF
the as to the R e Is aed eppd Pa O
a sketch of the existing troubles in the southwest
and promised to have his papers here shortly
when he will be able to enter fully into the rail
road strikes. At the request of the chairman he
also agreed to furnish the committee with state
ment of his views as to whether legislation could
properly be applied or what amendments to the
constitution would be needed to permit OF the leg
islative remedy.
In the Southwest.
MARSHALL, Texas, April 20-The Knights of
Labor at Marshall, Texas, are greatly encouraged
by the receipt of positive assurance in the shape
Of actual cash that they will be sustained by the
members of the order generally throughout the
country The attitude of Grand Master Work
man POwderly has strengthened the knights OF
Labor in the Southwest, and satisfied them that
the general executive committee will stand
by this order and uphold the strikers in their con-
tinued demands for arbitration.
ST. LOUIS, April 20-It is generally conceded
here that the knights of Labor strike sofar as the
business of the various roads centering in this
city and East ST. Louis is concerned is gradually
losing its effect The Missouri Pacific and Iron
Mountain roads have resumed traffic according to
the statements of the officials of these roads.
Two sentinels patrolling the railroad yards at
East st. Louis early this morning were fired upon
by some unknown persons. The fire was return
ed, but nobody was hurt.
LITTLE Rock, Ark April 20 - Deputy Sheriff
Williams who was badly beaten by the strikers
while guarding the property of the Iron Mountain
railroad has received a check for $500 from Jay
Gould.