Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-22
TENETS OF THE KNIGHTS.
INTERESTING TESTIMONY BE-
FORE THE COMMITTEE.

Concentration at Railroad Business on
an Eauitable Basis MIR. McDoweiFs
Ide.nt True Ec0nomy-Over Supply
ar Labor as "A Factor of Troubie-mr'
PowderIy Describes the Birth OF the
knights.
WASHINGTON, April 21.-The second
session OF the Labor Investigating Com
mittee was held to-day in the room OF the
House Committee on Elections, a large
airv apartment which was crowded TO It's
utmost capacity by newspaper men, per-
sons directly interested in the inquiry ana
spectators attracted thereto by feeling
of curiosity. The hour of meeting was
fixed at 1890 O'Clock, but it was nearly
an hour later when the committee was
called to order.
William Q. Mcdowell, rather an under
sized gentleman with a high forehead
crowned with a suit of dark hair and look
ing about 80 years Of age. which he stated
he was, was sworn in and examined. He
stated that he was a manufacturer OF ma
chinery. He was lay member Of the
knights of Labor, buG held no official po-
sition.
HIS IDEAS or THE OBJECTS,
The Chairman-Without divulging any
Of your secrets, will you please state
what are tue objects of that organization?
The Witness r elevate members by
helping them TO educate themselves; by
helping them to save that which the aver
age workman S"' wasted through bad
habits; to lit him from the condition into
which ne has fallen through such
habits, and make him thereafter an
r,IC ~ ~
educate him by comparison OF ideas and
BY discussing questions that help to edu-
cate that he is able to deal with and grasp
subjects which affect not only himself but
his employer, that he may become a bet
ter workman, command better wages,
and, by cooperating with his employer,
help him to such profits that he Will be
able to pay better wages.
NO SECRECY.
The Chairman-Are there any iniunc-
tions on the Knights ofLabor under which
the public could not know all that you
state?
The Witness-I do not understand that
there is anything in the rules OF the organ
zation which prohibits any member from
telling just the facts t1at have been
brought out by your question.
In response to question by MIR.
Grain the witness made statement cover
ng all the details OF the attempt to arbri-
rate between the knights OF Labor, rep
resented by Mr.. Powderly, and the Mis-
souri, Pacific Railroad Company, repre-
sented by Mr.. Gould. He read letters
which passed between those gentlemen
on March q, and which have already
been published. The witness not having
a copy of one of the letters, Gen. Swayne
rose and said that as counsel Tor the rail-
road he would be glad to supply the copy.
COUNSEL NOT RECOGNIZED.
Mr.. Buchanan said that while he did
not object to the admission Of the papers
in possession of anybody, he did not wish
it to be understood that the committee
had to take any action in regard to parties
being present by counsel.
The Chairman-We have no counsel
here.
Gen. Swayne apologized for having ad-
dressed the committee in the capacity of
counsel. He had thought it vas an under
stood thing that counsel was IN attend
Rnce.
The witness then proceeded with his
statement. After the delivery Of Mr..
Powderly's second letter to Mr.. Gould he
Jaw Mr.. Gould personally and that gentle
man expressed desire 10 meet Mr.. Pow
derly and himself on the following day.
THE GOULD INTERVIEW.
They met Mr.. Gould on the following
day at IL O'clock and were received in his
parlOr Mr.. Hopkins joined in the inter-
view. Mr., Gould expressed himself so
strongly in favor Of arbitrating the diff
culties that it seemed TO the witness that
an agreement was sure to be reached.
they met again in the evening. aud Mr..
Gould produced and read to Mr.. POwderly.
as result of the morning conversation,
telegram he proposed 10 send TO Mr.. HoXie.
Mr. Gould read the telegram down to the
words 1--WE see no objection 10 ar6itrating
any difficulties between employees and the
company, past or future" and then asked
Mr. POwderly il it was satisfactory so far.
Mr.. Powderly answered IN the Affirmative.
Mr. Gould said: "Hhen let it end there"
PUT INTO LETTER FORM.
The witness suggested that Mr.. Gould
should put the telegram into the form OF a
letter 10 Mr. Powderly, and Mr.. Powdeily
agreed that if the General Executive
Board approved Of the rest OF the letter
.he men would be ordered back TO work.
After Mr.. Powderly left Mr.. Gould placed
The letter in the witness hand with the
understanding that ii the order 60 go %
work was issued the order and letter
were to he given TO the press that night.
Inc order was issued. ana II and the let.
ter were given tO the press. He after
wards saw Mr.. Gould and told him that
CHAIRMAN O'Neill, of the House Labor
Committee, had met the Executive Com.
mlttee and the committee bad a copy OF
Inc proposed arbitration bill. They dis
eussed the bill together, the idea being
mat II the bill passed arbitration could
De had under the law. ana II not passed
Ihe blll would be the basis Of arbitration.
THE HITCH.
towards the end OF the interview Mr..
bouldreceiyed telegram which seemed
% disturb him, and ne said there was
'omething wrong in 81. LOUIS. Iisl wit
ness said, "Don't, az this stage, split hairs.
lell Mr.. HOXie in taking the men back TO
work to be blind" Mr.. Gould wished to
zee PoWderly, but that gentleman could
nov 90, and the witness aud Mr.. Turner
went 10 see Mr.. Could with "A question
from Powderly- ] understand from
your personal letter ot this date that your
company refuses arbitration, and must
telegraph Martin ir0nsP'
Mf. could was not in, and MI. Hopkins
answered by saying, "Nn, we do not. He
not 80 TO understand that letter."
CONFUSION IN TIE ROOM.
At this point there was q good deaf Of
uolse and confusion Ia the committee
room and the acting chairman cautioned
.ue audience that any exhibition OF feel
ing would result ia having the room
oieated aud the doors CLOSED.
i, rue witness proceeded with history Of
.ne negotiations for "a settlement aud read
the kilograms which have already been