The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-04-21
LABOR VS.. CAPITAL.
Ths Investigation Begun al
Washington.
E n. PowDERLY TEsTIFIEs
.TelIs Of Some OF the Abuses Ex-
perienced by Employees on
the Gould System.
PoudsrIr a. washIngton.

,g,sH1ssroS, April 2O.-Grand Mas
-. powderly and Messrs. Hayes and
T-,ner of the Knights 81 Labor, ar
we'd IN Washington this morning, and
,sre at the Capitol at an early hour.
" Powderly repaired at once to the
nom of the appropriation committee,
-hs-a he had a short chat with Randall
ID the Senate committee charged with
~ investigation of the southwestern
.trikes. He had difficulty in securing
ritable room, but hoped one can be
,rocured in time TO commence the ex-
,mination OF the representatives OF the
Knights OF Labor this afternoon.
The special committee of the House
nj Representative TO inquire INTO :he
isbor difficulties in the southwest held
he first public session to-day. The
e0umittee consists OF ex-Governor
Curtin. chairman, and Messrs. Barnes
MOI. Grain (Texss), Cultivate, Par
tsr New York;, and Buchanan New
Isrssy.) All the members were present
srospt Stewart, who was absent by
leave of the house. Among the per-
sons in attendance were as represent
atiyes OF the knights of Labor, Pow
derly. Hayes and Mcdowell, members OF
the executive board and Fred Turner
secretary; as representatives of railroad
interests, Wager & Swayne, counsel
and as representatives of the Women's
League of America, Mrs. Charlotte
Smith and three other ladies, q corps OF
stenographers on hand will make full
report of the proceedings for the rail-
road companies. Powderly was the first
witness. The chairman addressing him
said: You understand that this COM
mittee is raised by the House of Repre-
sentatives sor the purpose, il possible,
of getting down to the reasons for the
unrest and disturbance which now
exists in the country, especially as to
conflicts between labor and capital and
employers and employees. This COM
mittee is fully sensible of the
course you have taken in your
previous life, and of your disposition to
reconcile the unrest of the people;
herefore we call you as the first wit
asss. Be pleased now to state to the
committee, in your own language, your
impression as to this matter" The ex-
animation of Powderly was extended,
going over the history Of the recent
1 strike and troubles. 1t was quite inter-
esting, but presented nothing new or
remarkable.
While / was in the west, said Mr..
Powderly, heard from men of little
abuses which l do not think the
manager of the Missouri Pacific Rail
vay knows anything about. Along the
lon Mountain Railway they have the
svstem of taking 25 cents a month from
Aewages of the man who receives 81 a
day, and so cents from the wages OF q
nan Who receives 81 day and so on in
proportion, fo- what they call the
hospital fund. Then men claim that
s. soon as they are taken sick they are
InnsaI r.hf Of
entering the hospital. Then there are
instances which can be proved where
men have made contracts TO buy land
from the company on regular yearly
installments and when they had
paid all but the last install
ment they were discharged from
the employment OF the company. In
that section of the country it is differ
ent from the east. Men cannot go into
the next town and get situation, and
the consequence has been that in at
least one particular case, a man was
obliged to remain idle so long that he
lost his property. The men claim there
are several instances of that kind.
Chairman-Can you have witnesses
called before the committee to show
these facts
POwderly-Undoubtedly, If am cor
rectly informed.
Mr.. observation-disclosures inquiries you
have found that these causes of discon-
tent existed2
PoEderly-Yes.
Chairman-Will you state the pur-
pose of the organization of the knights
Of Labor: whether its purposes are for
the protection of the interests of labor
and whether it IS peaceful in ali its
actions?
Povderiy-fhe aim of the organiza-
ton Of ths knights OF Labor is to benefit
the laborer and TO secure q better feel
ing between him and his employer. All
our methods are peaceful. We never
counsel anything Of violent nature. A
member OF the organization may once
N a while, commit acts Of violence-we
annot help that. 1t is q matter beyond
our control, because, when men feel
Aey have endured wrong. there is no
hW which can properly restrain them.
Chairman-Do | understand that the
Knights of Labor, as an organization,
% protect labor, hot only on railroads,
ut also in mines and factories.
Powderly-We attempt 70 do that.
eur association is intended to be q ma
a0aal one. We aim at having our
ssnbers study the conditions by which
asy are surrounded, not only their own
editions, but those of the men for
'Som they Nork.
NJ Buchanan-In order 10 pave the
A,y to intelligent action?
~. Powderly-Ies. sir l have
sisned that it's no mon IAN right
-of both to meet on equal terms.
Haa 70 have a thorough understanding
VI The wants of each other; and il
seems 10 me that until they do that
tney cannot properly fix up their diff
Shairman-I do not ask you to di
ttulge any of the secrets of the knights
VI labor; but you have stated that the
TIlects Of the society are to protect the
Ieoot OF the country, so far as possible,
sainst the exactions Of incorporated
foEderly-We protect not only the
1aoor Of the country. but protect the
'Hauuiacturers as well. We desire that