Savannah morning news., 1886-04-21

ldltly anu JIuluiully. l nave hu Op~
lection to showing up everything con-
signs, passwords and everything else.
am willing to lay everything before the
committee and before the world. l want
it understood that so far as our Executive
Board is concerned | have, from over H.
900 assemblies, letters OF Endorsement OF
a secret circular Of mine which (since it
was issued) has been made public.
These Endorsements bear me out in what
| have said, So that you can understand
from the tenor of the circular the charac-
ter OF our organization,
THE LAW RESPECTED.
When stated that our organization
was willing to meet our contestants be-
fore the courts had no idea that was
making a wrong statement. believe
that the law of the land is higher than
any corporation or any organization. and
that when a man violates the law OF the
land, either as Knight of Labor or as
private citizen or as a member of the cor
poration, ne should be punished
for it, and that his connection
with an organization should be no
shield for him, and have thought, on the
other hand. that man who violates the
law and who is worth millions Of dollars
should suffer the same as poor man. l
have made that statement, and the people
have seen fit to see in it an invitation TO
anarchy. If that is anarchy, in the name
of God what is law?
ALL FREE AND EQUAL.
Mr.. Buchanan--In other words you be-
Iieve in the old time declaration that all
men are created free and equal?
Mr.. Powderly-Yes; and that all should
stand SO before the law. possess the
rio hafOro hn Ia " a man " n
has millions. was born here and have
my interests here, but even If ] were not
born here and though | only hold hand
full OF this earth's possessions, it is my
al. 1t is as much to me as the other
mems millions, and the law is as much
bound to protect me.
Mr.. Burhes-The country generally, and
[ doubt not properly, seems to place
good deal of confidence in your integrity,
your Intelligence, and your patriotism.
Being disposed to consider the question
practically | ask if you have given
thought to the question of legislative rem
edy for the evils to which you have
alluded?
NEVER WORKED IT OUT.
Mr.. Powderly-I have never worked it
out properly. | have thought it over, but
have not followed it to it's conclusion.
Mr.. Burnes-Will you be able, during
the sittings Of this committee, to give us
your views on the question of the remedy
for the wrong?
Mr.. Powderly-How long is the COM
mittee likely to sit?
The Chairman-Aboutt two months.
Mr.. Powderly-l think L will be able,
because in that time you will have an
official declaration from the chief men of
our organization on that point.
Mr.. Burnes-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.
BEGINNING OF THE STRIKE.
In reply TO further questions, Mr.. Pow
derly said the strike began on Feb. y on
the Texas Pacific road; that he did not
possess knowledge of all of the steps that
led up to the strike, but thought the docu-
ments In the hands of the knights of La
Dor would show them; that he could not
tell by whom the strike was ordered. but
that the order was given by the District
Assembly; that the authorities above the
rank of the District Assem- blies were not
consulted; that he could not say whether
any propositions for arbitration had come
from either employer or emplOye before
the strike occurred, but that the men bad
made known their grievances To Mr..
Hoxie on two or three occasions and that
opportunity had been given the company
to offer arbitration.
Mr.. Crain--I find it stated in the hill
of grievances produced by you that the
men asked for redress time and time
again, but in vain, that the Executive
committee OF the Knights Of Labor sought
to settle the matter, and that the reply Of
the General Superintendent OF the Mis-
souri, Pacific railway refusing to agree to
a conference as proposed can be pro-
duced
COMPANY STORES.
Mr.. Powderly-Yes; | am told also that
along the Iron Mountain railway and
along other roads IN parts OF Texas. SUI
perintendents and fOremeu are interested
in the company stores, and that the men
are compelled to deal in these stores. The
employees are not told in so many words
that they must deal there. but they are
reminded that it is to their interest TO do
so. II a murmur OF complaint is TO reach
the ear OF the president of the comnany,
il must go through the superintendent,
and a man will be discharged as soon
as he utters word Of complaint. Men
whose money is invested in railroads
know nothing ABOUT this. In many places
double prices are charged in these stores.
Mr.. Buchanan-Will you be able to fur
nish precise instance OF this kind?
Mr.. POwderly-The committee will find
proof of all these things.
Mr.. Bucbanan-DO you know whether
the grievances set forth in the paper
which YOU read originated exclusively on
the Texas Pacific road. or in connection
with other roads, including the Missouri
Pacific?
CONVICT LABOR.
Mr.. Powderly-Yes. The men also
complain that conYicts are brought from
the penitentiaries to work on the rail.
rOeds, and that striped suits may be seen
side by side with honest labor In track re-
pairing. That statement has been made
10 me by members Of the committee.
Mr.. Buchanan-Frequent reference has
been made in the newspapers TO the con-
tract or agreement made in 1885. Can
you produce that papery
Mr.. Powderly produced what he stated
10 be the original contract agreement OF
March l5 1885, proposed by the Governors
of Missouri and Kansas and accepted by
the representatives OF the railroad COM
panies and Of the working men.
THE PRESENT GRIEVANCES.
Mr.. Buchanau-And the present grew
ances ale that in violation OF that agree
ment and without notice the wages Of the
men were reduced, etc.l
Mr.. POwderly-Yes.
Mr.. Buchanan--YOu spoke about the
railroad being operated under receivers.
Has it been your observation that some-
times receivers may be applied for sim
ply as a stock jobbing operatiOnl
Mr.. Powderly-l have entertained that