Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-23

MED any knowledge Ot such dark and
questionable transactions. lie was asked
his opinion as to the cause of the strike,
aud the only reason that occurred to him
was the desire Of some of
the leaders to obtain not0riety
heard of and did not believe in such
causes of complaint as MIR. POwderly
alluded to in the first days testmonysuca
as cheating OF employees IN the matter of
hospital taxation, homesteads and stores
belonging TO periutendeats and fore
men. Such statements were ridiculous,
and he felt positive that there were no
instances Of the kind.
STOCK SPECULATION.
He was inquired Of by Mr.. Cultivate
as to stock speculations growing out of
the strike, and he said shat he knew moth
lag OF the kind, and that so far as he was
himself concerned, he had not made a
transaction in stock either long or short,
since the first Of July, and has no specu-
latlye interest in the market. lie was
sure none of the directors OF the NJ iSsouri
Pacific had any dealings in stock Of the
road, on the days following his interview
with Mr.. POwderly.
Mr.. Outhwaite- herein would public
interests or the interests Of the company
have suffered by the representatives of
the company accepting the proposition of
the knights OF Labor?
Mr.. GOuld-To arbitrate what? That
was the question.
MIR. Outh waite-You certainly knew
what you differed about.
PoWDERLY AGREED WITH HIM.
Mr.. Gould-I do not known that we
differed at all. l read my proposition
over to Mr.. Powderly and he said he
agreed 10 every word of it,
Mr.. waite-I have reference to
the difficulty which seemed to arise (if It
did not arise) on that Monday. First, the
men were ordered to resume work and
were about to do so, and then the next
information the country had was that the
men mad not resumed work and that
the trouble was still existing.
Mr.. G0uld-rhey did not pay any atten-
ton TO the order, On the contrary, Mar
tin Irons telegraphed TO them TO mold the
fort" They did rot obey the order, and
did not propose TO. | did not understand
that there was any agreement made with
Mr.. Powderly. There was not when he
left my house.
ALL IN DOUBT.
81 did not know what he was going to
do. After he went out had discussion
with MI. Hopkins, who remained, as to
what MIR. POwderly would do, aud | said
he would do nothing-that he had not the
courage. What he had said be would do
was 10 issue an order declaring that the
strike was without cause, that the men
were in rebellion, and taking away their
charter. IL was on that statement that
gave him copy of my dispatch TO Mr..
HuXie. The next morning it cam
out in the papers from him that there was
an entirely different thing done. 1t was
OF that complained because / did not
agree TO it in that shape"
STICKING TO HIS POINT.
Mr.. thwaite-But what injury could
have come to the company if it had ac-
cepted and acted upon Mr.. POwderly's
view of the case?
Mr.. Could do not know what subject
their arbitration would cover. II it
covered the question whether we should
drcharge men whom we had employed
after the strike we would not admit that
TO be a subject of arbitration.
Mr.. Outh Waite-1'hen you did not in
tend or want to have any arbitration or
effort to settle any difficulties with the
Knights Of Labor who had struck or were
out OF your employment al the time; was
that the understanding
MIR. GOuld-Ges, that is it distinctly.
MISSOURI PACUFIC's RELATIONS.
MIR. Burnes inquired as TO the relations
OF the Missouri Pacific with the other rail
roads now incorporated in the system, as
to the amount Of stock AMI bonds issued
and as to other matters connected with
the company, which information Mr.
Gould promised to furnish hereafter. Mr..
Burnes also inquired rs TO the general
effect OF the pooling syetem, and Mr..
Gould replied that its general effect was
beneficial to the public, because without
IL most, il not all, the railroads of the
country would be in the hands OF re-
ceiYers.
Mr.. Burnes-WhY would that be the
result?
COMPETITION NOT THE LIFE or TRADE.
Mr.. GOuld-Because Of the low rates
from excessive competition.
Mr.. Burnes-Then competition is not
the life Of trade?
Mr. Gould-NO, sir; and the result
would be that wages wOdld have TO be cut
down 80 per cent. Labor is very large
element in railroad expenses. Directly
it amounts to about go per cent, TO say
nothing OF the labor on steel rails and
other railroad materials.
Mr.. Burnes-lf pooling Is beneficial to
the railroad companies is il also beneficial
TO the peopleY
Mr.. Could think it's. The public is in
terested in having strong, able roads we'll
equipped. ] have always found that real
estate sells higher. and people would
rather live on lines OF railroads that are
financially strong.
LOCAL AND THROUGH RATES.
Mr.. Burnes inquired as to the general
proportions between the local earnings
aud through earnings Of railroads, but Mr.
Gould declared himself unable to give in
formation on taat point.
The Chairman remarked that he would
be very glad 90 have the scope OF the com
mi ~ as ID Lf..I 40 fp
extend IL % the mineral regions, because
IL the committee meant anything IL meant
10 quiet the unrest in the country, and TO
provide "a remedy for II.
Mr. Gould goOdhumOredly) u shall be
very glad 10 read the opinion OF the COM
mittee when O. formal report is arrived AZ,
and will keep any investment ! may
have TO make in allegiance with them.
The Charman--l hardly think you will
do that n you get fair opportunity 10
have a spy at Wall street, and ! would
like TO be in partnership with you.
This closed Mr.. GOuld's examination,
which extended over four hours.
He gave his testimony very briefly and
in a low tone Of voice, and did not vOlun-
teer any statement, cOntining himself
merely 10 answering questions asked him.
MR.. HOPKINS SWORN.
Mr.. Hopkins, Vice President OF the
Missouri Pacific, was then sworn ana
examined. He cOrrObOrated generally
Mr.. GOuld's account OF the interviews
with Mr.. POwderly, at which he was