Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-16
TIE MESSAGE TO HoxIE.

THE MESSAGE TO HoXIE.
Mr.. Gould-Fhis is the dispatch that has
been prepared:
II. 81, H6s7is.
Mr.. Powderly is here. He said that he was
Informed while in the West by some of our
men mat you had declined TO meet commit
tee appointed by them of their own number
quickly. A L. HOPKINS.
Also the following:
Referring to Mr.. Gould's message to you OF
yesterday. copy of which was contained In
ms letter to Mr.. Powderly, he says we see no
objection TO arbitraung any differences. past
OF present between the employees and the
[ company. DO you agree with TINS PROPOSE
tIon. ana are you willing to open such an ar
! bltration? A. L. HOPKINS.
Mr.. McDowell-The first one We have an
answer 10, and have not to the second.
~. Hou d-No. We have not TO either one;
thougnt l would read this TO you now, ana
we WI see what reply we get.
mr., o)merVille-LoOking at the proposed
message TO make that clear | would say IN
/ winch ne says, because it did not sound very
clear 10 me when on read it.
| Mr. Gouid-fou might say further that our
BOARD here think that very wise anu proper
| solution. would add that
| to do.
MIR. Gould--Yes.
Mr.. AcDowell-Mr. Powderly, the point Of
| Inference, if it is difference, / don't know
/ mat IL is, you are drifting in this discussion
! 70 an arbitration between the employees ana
! uons nave been as to arbitration between
| your organization and the road.
ALREADY COMMITTED.
MIR. Gouid-Now we are committed, you
Know. We are on record in regard 70 that.
| Mr.. HoXie is aud l can't take these matters
out Of his hands, but it seems to me if you
| could agree with Gen. Swayne, he being here,
VIII put 1t in his hands. VIII
let Gen. Swayne sit right down with you and
| with your committee and see if you cannot
| prepare bill, and if you can prepare bill
| thaJ we approve OF and you, am ready to so
| state, ana that will become a law for the fu-
/ lure, even whether 1t passes or not.
Gen. swayne here entered the room and
was introduced to the committee
| Mr.. McDowell-Mr. Gould is referring the
approval OF the bill before the Labor Commit
! tee OF Congr 9ss, which was to be reported yes
| terday iayorably, to them, to these gentle
mon, and yourself, to see if there is a basis on
! which they could agree.
Mr., swayne-Is this the bill? taking the
| bill.)
Mr.. McDowell--I suppose that is the bill.
AT this point the respective parties retired
| Tor consultation, and shortly after returned.
| Mr.. Mcdowell to Mr.. GOulG-If you will
| give Gen. SWayne Instructions so that we may
/ cit right down with him.
Mr.. Gould-What [ suggested was whether
! YOU could not SIT down and get up just such a
! bill as we would approve. Suppose you have
| an interview with him and go over 1t your
| self, and take Mr.. Hopkins with you, for he
! knows the points. Go over that section by
| section, and then | will take it up with you.
Gen. Swayne-In reading over this bill it
struck me the bill should state just ex-
! actly what the Governor says in his
| message, that all employers from the Presi
| dent down IN assuming employment in the
| railroad company clOthe themselves with the
public duties appertaining to the operation Of
| u railroad as a whole.
After retiring for consideration the parties
! again met, add Mr.. Hopkins read the tele
| gram sent to Mr.. Hoxie and his reply, as fol-
! lows:
Mr.. Hopklns-This is the dispatch to Mr..
| HoXie:
II. II. Hosje: Referring to Mr.. Gould's
| message to You OF yesterday, copy of which
! was contained in his letter to Mr.. POwderly.
| In which lie says, 1--WE see no objections to ar
bitrating any differences, past or present, be-
| tween the employees and the company" Do
you agree with this proposition, and are you
| willing to open such an arbitration? Our
| board think this would be wise and proper
thing TO do.
HOMES REPLY.
The reply is as follows:
a. L. HoDbinS; My view is that the com
! pany should at all times promptly and fairly
hear all complaints of Its employees, either by
| hearing the employees themselves or COM
mlttee of their number, all of whom are Of
the same class those complaining to be af-
fected by the alleged grievances. If the mat
| tiers of difference between the company and
| its employ ZEE, or any portion OF them. are Of
| such character as to be susceptible of an
| arbitration which can be made legally bind
ing upon both parties, see no objection to
arbitration IN such case.
Mr.. Bailey dom think that answers what
Mr.. Gonld-It seems to me that is what two
| individuals would do; they wOuld come to-
gether and talk over their differences ana see
II they could not agree. Then they would
! arbitrate.
MIR. Hopklns-Thore would not be any use
| of having an arbitration unless 1t vas of such
| a character as to be made binding.
Mr.. Bailey-That is what we desire to make
| binding.
Mr.. Gould-what Is an arbitration?
Mr.. Swayne-An arbitration is when two
| parties enter into a contract jurisdiction y
| contract instead of jurisdiction by law. Two
parties enter into a contract that and B
and & shall be a court who shall decide their
differences, and that the result shall be bind
ing.
Mr.. Gould-The law provides form for
| that.
Mr.. swayne-No sir; there is no law in this
| country now that provides for arbitration,
| but the general law of contract makes the
conclusion which arbitrators have reached
| binding as a contract. 1t iscvilly enforcible.
but not crimnally. This act of Congress, if
it goes into force, Will give to the decision Of
! arhitrators-giye TO the court-power to com
pei submission to the judgment of arbitratOrs.
! Mr.. Hopkins-Let me see those dispatches
Just one minute. (Mr. Swayne confers pri-
vately with Mr.. Bailey in regard to the tele-
grams.)
MIR. swayne-Now he says he sees no objec-
/ ton.
Mr.. Bailey-I zee no objection under certain
conditions. | want the question put directly
TO him. Will he meet cOmmlttee of our peo-
pie and arbtrate?
Mr.. Hayes am opposed to this system Of
considering the question OF arbitration.
think the matter has gone so far that il is a
question Of arbitration, and not question Of
considering. When the court comes to SIT
! here, if there is no matter TOR arbitration,
then the arbitration ceases, but To consider
the question whether there is question for
! arbitration IS entirely out OF the question IN
] der the present circumstances.
Mr.. SOmeryile-lt viii have to be under
stood what is to be put ID fore that court.
! Mr.. Hayes-This matter in reference TO the
| company and reference to all concerned is in
a serious position at this time. Is 1T going to
| benefit the trouble to continue harping upon
small technlcaities, or Is it going TO be best
! for the interests Of all concerned to settle il
as soon as possible? That is the only
| thing that hinges upon this question now. II
! the company oncludes that they Will grant
arbitration we will let them select the EN- o.
poyes themselves and our General Executive
Board will so there, or somebody that will be
agreeable 70 all concerned. II they do not do
that tCey cannot of course meet TO consider
whether there is any arbitration necessary or
not.
MIR. Somervile-I thought you said his re
ply was evasive. IL answers the views of the
dispatch that was sent him.
MIR. Balley-Not the question that we want
answered.
Mr.. someryine-You have NOT asked IL yet.
MIR. Hayes-You are right. We have not
| asked him.
Mr.. Snmeryile--This is an answer to the
by the men themselves that he had refused to
! tttna