The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-24

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ness since 1876. He was now in the
grocery business. He had taken part in
the attempt TO arrive at a settlement
and was present at Mr.. PoRderly's in.
terView with Mr.. Gould. The steno-
graphic report OF that interview was
substantially correct. There was a
general talk about arbitration, and all
seemed pleased with the subject. II
was thought to be the proper way Of
settling disputes.
In reply to Mr.. Parker, he stated
that there we're twenty.one district
assemblies OF the Knights of Labor
in the United States, with about 10000
local assemblies. In these local as
semblies there were from te1 members
to 5000 members. The Knights Of
Labor had no political object, and did
not seek to influence legislation. He
had known OF no such movement on
their part.
Mr.. Parker handed to the witness
petition in favor OF the unlimited
coinage Of STANDARD silver dollars, pur-
porting TO be signed by 700 local as
semblies.
Mr.. Turner stated that he had never
seen or heard OF the petition before,
but that the organization did not deny
the right OF any assembly to petition
Congress. II was not responsible as
body for the action OF particular as
semblies. This movement in favor Of
the unlimited coinage OF silver was
not \ general movement OF the
Knights OF Labor.
Mr.. Buchanan, after examining the
petition, stated that he thought the
petition could be traced to societies
outside and unconnected with the
Knights of Labor,
Mr.. Turner went on in reply to
questions from Mr.. Grain TO describe
the interview which he aud his col
league, Mr.. Bailey, had had with Mr..
Hoxie in st. Louis, He said that Mr..
Hoxie's treatment of them was very
disCourteous; that he stated that lac
would have no conversation with
them as officers OF the Knights OF
Labor, but that he would receive them
as American citizens. They informed
him that they did not desire to stand
on their dignity, and were willing to
talk with him rs private citizens; that
all they wanted was to have the trou'
BILE settled, peace restored and the
men set back to work.
Mr.. Grain Was the strike over
then2
Mr.. Turner-None OF our people
were at work the strike was not over.
The ChAirman-In your statement
you ueed the word "order" in refer
ence TO the men going back to work.
l want to know whether the central
power OF your organization can order
men to work or order them TO quit
work.
Mr.. rurner-The general laws do
not contemplate strikes.
The Chairman That is not the
question.
Mr.. Turner (hesitatingly)-Well, l
do not understand that If we issued an
order for men TO 20 to work they
would refuse TO 60 no matter who or
dered them out.
Mr.. Crain-You have no power Ia
order strike, have you2
Mr.. Turner-Yes.
The Chairman with an air OF sur,
prisel You have2
Mr.. Turner-Yes. There is no law
in our constitution governing strikes.
We do not believe in strikes
Mr.. Orain-Ihen where do you de-
rive your power to order strikes2
Mr.. Turner-We have not the pow
err, directly, to order q strike, but We
have the power to approve or disap
prove snike.
Mr.. Grain Wasthis strike approved
or disapproved?
Mr.. Turner-We never knew any
thing about it until we received the
telegram from Mr.. Hopkins. 1t has
never been approved.
Mr.. Crain-rhen suppose the pow
err is vested in you TO direct men to 10
turn to work.
Mr.. Turner-Yee.
Being questioned on the subject o
arbitration, Mr.. Turner said he hat
read the Presidents message on ths
point to- lay, and thoroughly agreed
with il. He believed that there SHOULD
be some fixed tribunal OF arbitration
not one raised on the sur of the mo
ment. He thoroughly believed in sr
bitrRtion, and would like 10 see arbi
tration compulsory.
Mr.. Grain Suppose the arbitrator
reported that the Knights OF Lsbo
should 90 TO work at 81 q day whei
they wanted 81 so, are you willing, a
an American citizen, to say that 20
would ask your fellow.members Of tn
Knights Of Labor to abide by thstP
Mr.. Tuner-If l entered into n
agreement to abide by arbitration
ould submit to the award.
MR.. M'DowKLL
was recalled, and made u statement Il
the line OF one OF Mr.. Gould's sugge
tons yesterday as to the propriety {
having railroad engineers and Officer
licensed by the general government
' He favored that finding an analogy K
it in the licensing OF steamship cal
tains and pilots. These men wei
, bound to bring their vessels into poT
/. and 80 railroad engineers should
bound 10 bring their engines to the
destination. The laws governing il
teInationsl commerce were drawn u
I Win great care, luo IahiNdAh ~
; come in and taken the place largely
that kind Of commerce, and intersta
: commerce by rail could and should
governed by the came sort OF law
: AS 60 arbitration Il mus; necessari
|; be voluntary. Il seemed TO him tn
u the d ference between the Presidei
; snd the House on that subject was
u TO the appointment Of the third sri
u traitor. Toe selection by Unit
!. Judge the President seemed TO rega
= an uuusual thing.
II Mr.. Crain-Eyideutly the Preside
, had not read the bill rs it passed Z
House. There is nothing OF that XII
4. in IL. An arbitrator is TO be appoil
m ed on each side and the two are
G. select third.
Mr.. Buchsnan-In other " rds {