San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-04-22
MONOPOLY'S MILL
GRINDs GoULD's GRIEVANCE GRIsT
GLOOMILY.
Cholera Threatens-Greece Challenges
Turkey andalay Murders-No
Change in the Labor
Lock, Etc.

WASHINGTON, April 2l.-The investi-
CATION by the Labor Committee was con-
tinued. Mcdowell was sworn and eX-
amined at length, read from letters and
papers, covered the details Of the Gould
and Powderly conference, expressed
himself confidently concel ming the will
lingness Of the strikers to resume work
If Hoxie had complied with the order
sent him by Gould, and gave an ex-
haustive narration of the strike troubles.
He placed the trouble upon the head of
Jay Gould, quoted his words 10 the effect
that by resorting to days work instead
of piece work he had reduced wages 50
per cent. on the Western Union telegraph
lines, and affirmed that the exactiOns
were brought about by the attempt to
pay dividends on watered stock.
Mr.. Powderly was then recalled, and
gave a history of the organization of
Knights of Labor. The organization
was intended, he said, to take in not only
the man who worked at the bench or
mine, but every man who toiled by hand
or brain in any honest occupation. 1--WE
left out one or two honest occupations
lawyers and bankers-because we felt
they were fully capable of taking care of
themselves"
Chairman-How about preachers?
POwderly-Once in a while we get one
of them. We will not take in saloon
keeper. Even if a members wife begins
to sell liquor, we make him take a d.
yOrce, not from his wife, but from the
organization.
Chairman-In other words, it is be-
nevolent society, for protection of all
kinds of people who toll, and is entirely
within the law?
Powderly-Yes; it is entirely within
the law.
Parker-What is the number of of the
present membership?
Powderly-Our present membership
does not exceed 5O0,00O, although we
have been credited with 5000, 900.
Chairman-Are women members of
the organization
POwderly-les; on an equal footing
with men.
Chairman-When were women first
admitted?
Powderly-In 1881. We claim that if
women perform equal work, they should
receive equal pay. We have one assem-
bly, of women with a membership of
1900, and from the day of the organiza-
tiOn to the present day single eXpul-
sion or suspension has never taken place.
They manage their affairs in such way
rs to reflect credit upon them, and to be
a pattern for the men.
Grain DO you make any difference as
to the admission of cOlored men into the
organization?
Powderly-We make no distinction in
regard to color, creed, sex or condition.
We have one assembly in New York
where the President is ROmas Catho-
lie, the Vice-President a Presbyterian,
and the man who occupies the next
place is a HindoO. COlOred men seldom
enter the assemblies of white members.
They have assemblies of their own, and
are managing them very nicely.
Buchanan-Up to how lately have You
worked at your trade?
Powderly-NOt since March, 1877
Buchanan-ln that time You have been
engaged as you are now?
Powderly-Ie principally. | work
harder now than | ever did, sometimes
Is hours day.
Mcdowell, upon being recalled and
asked as to his connection with the
knights of Labor, said he had been con-
nected with the order about eight years;
that he WAS mechanic by trade, and
that to-day he was at the head of one of
the largest machine works in the coun-
try.
Chairman-There is nothing that you
know of in the organization which is in
consistent with obedience to law and
with the administration Of the govern
ment?
Notwithstanding whatever. On
the other hand, it is a perfect supporter
of the law in every particular.
Buchanan-Your observation Is that
the fairer treated, the better paid and
the more contented the American work
ingman is, the better citizen he makes?
McDowell-That is exactly true.
Powderly-One Of the things which a
do is this-we shall, with all our strength,
support law made to harmonic with
the interests oflabor and capital.
The committee adjourned until IL
O'Clock tomorrow, when it is under
stood that the examination of Jay Gould
will be commenced.
New YORK, April 2l.-The directors Of
Third Avenue Line this afternoon unan-
imously adopted resolutions refusing to
accede to any Of the demands of the
strikers in regard to the men it shall or
shall not employ, and refusing to dis
charge any non-union men or take back
any strikers who have melted others to
destroy property. The directors intend
to bring their whole power to bear
against the strikers, and to run cars at
all hazards. Cars have been ordered out
and the police notified of the intention
of the company. The strikers feel very
bitter over the action of the company's