, 1886-03-16
jaw Gould Interviewed.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, March lJ.-Jay
Gould, to-day, speaking for the first time
respecting the strike by the Knights of
Labor on the Missouri Pacific and the re-
naming portion of the Gould Southwest
ern system, said to a representative of the
Associated Press;
Il first learned OF the strike while at
Havana, and have been advised by tele-
graph of the character of the trouble more
particularly since my arrival. The strike
on our system was a complete surprise to
me for two reasons. First, we had acceded
to all demands which had been made on
us by our employees and were supposed to
be working in harmony with them. Sec
ond, the strike is made upon an issue
with which we have nothing to do and
which we cannot possibly arbitrate or con-
troll
The present strike, continued Mr..
Gould, originated in the discharge of an
employe named Hall on the Texas &
Pacific, which road is now in the hands Of
the United States courts. We have no
more right to attempt to control the
workings of that system that the working
men themselves, and would be as com
pletely in contempt to attempt to do so as
any other outsider.
Regarding another aspect of the strike
Mr.. Gould said: The public may not
be aware of it, but the same issue was
raised when some men we're discharged
on the Wabash railway at a time
when it was in the control Of
the United States court Mr.. Pow
DERBY called upon me to secure
the reinstatement of these men. The
subject was fully discussed and | told
Powdcrly | had no power in the matter,
not even an advisory, without the request
from the court. At that interview | told
Powderly that if any grievances existed
among men, if he would bring them to
our attention, we would endeavor to right.
them. As to the future, Gould said. 81
am advised that great numbers of the
strikers are not in sympathy with the
movement and will return to work as
soon as assured Of protection by the civil
authorities. 1t is our intention to resume
operations as fast and as soon as the pro-
lection is afforded. In conclusion, he
declared that he did not care to discuss
other features Of the strike beyond the
statement that the company could not
possibly Join hands with the Knights Of
Labor against the United States Supreme
Court in their war on another system,
which, he asserted the present strike in
volved.
Gould further asserted that the Knights
of Labor had evidently discovered already
through public sentiment that they were
exercising their power in favor of an issue
strictly against law and order, and that
it was more Of a wal against the general
public than the road. 1t was closing
manufactures along the lines Of the road
aud was stopping the shipment Of coal and
other commodities to points where the
people were liable to suffer great depriva.
ton. 1t was more a fight of the public
than the company, but the latter in pro.
lection of its own lawful rights, would
exercise every lawful energy to meet the
demands Of its patrons in opening theroac
in all departments. Gould said he wai
in receipt Of kilograms from manufactur
ers and Others along the line, saying they
would be compelled to shut down, but a
the same time placing no blame on thu
company or It's management.