Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-22


has permitted himself to be controlled by
Mr. HoXie
Tae Witness-That is the way 10 has APP
peared to me- Still | can't understand
the letter oflnstruction referred to by Mr..
HoXja.
Mr., Crain--With the exception of that
circumstance (Which seems suspicious
your impression is that Mr.. HoXie is the
responsible party tor the continuance cf
the strike?
The Witness-Yes, sir. l never met
him personally, but from talking with
those who have, am strongly inclined to
that opinion.
STOCK J0BBING INSINUATIONS.
MIR. Buchanan-A statement has been
made in the newspapers to the effect that
you and MIR. Gould were working this
matter together Tor the purpose OF its
elect upon the stock market. | do not
wish to humliate you enough to ask you
If that be true, but | simply mention the
fact so as TO allow you to make any eX-
planation you desire.
The Witness-I never saw any state
ment TO that effect. never had any ac-
quaintance with Mr.. Gould until | met
him in connection with this matter. |
have never bought or sold a share Of
stock on margin. There is not word Of
possible truth Ia the suggestion.
The witness said he knew nothing of
the strike until it actually occurred. His
first knowledge OF 1t was gained from the
newspapers.
THE POOLING SYSTEM.
He expressed the opinion that the pool
ing system had nothing to do with it. The
most economical management is that
which necesstates the least expenditure.
Inc general theory as to building new
lines OF railroad, causing competition, and
reducing rates is a grand mistake. Busi-
ness should be done with the least possi-
BILE investment not only of labor but of
capital, and until the possibilities of
single railroad are exhausted a second
line should not be built But there is need
OF something ia the way of government
supervision of railroads, by means of
which benefits resulting from nOn-com-
petition shall not inure alone to the rail-
road company, but to the whole people.
DOUBLE OPERATING EXPENSES.
Take for instance two cities like Buffalo
and New York. The New York Central
had a line of road between those two
cities and had a monopoly of the business.
1t cost the company go per cent. to Oper-
ate the road, leaving 40 per cent. of the
net earnings. Another line was built
alongside and there you have got 100 per
-ANNa " SN9AhCoS tshu bA nave EUJ LWO
90 per cents. OF expenses. If the thing
could be regulated so that one road should
do the business it would get not only
fair return for its capital, but it would be
enabled to give lower rates Of traffic and
better wages to its employees.
Mr.. Burns-There being already two
railroads built aud being operated. is it
better for the majority OF the working peO-
pie OF the country that there should be
pOVnnntTfInn no fhnun ~ 4
there should be pooling of their earn
ings?
CONCENTRATION FAVORED.
The Witness-It would be better that
all business should be done on one road
at minimum of cost, and tina. the benefits
of 1t should go not alone to the owners of
the road but to the country at large. In
other words, you must not double the ex-
penses in order to get economy.
Mr. Would you. then, suggest
the abandonment Of one line of road and
the concentration of all business on the
other?
The WItness-I certainly should.
Mr.. Burns-That would reduce the num-
Der OF employees one-half.
The Witness-Yes, it would, but they
would Immediately find employment in
other walks of life where they wouldn't be
living by tax upon the country. don't
think there is a railroad in America which
has been pressed to half it's carrying ca
pacIty.
COMPETITION OF LABOR.
Mr.. Parker-Does not the trouble arise
partly from the competition oflaborerss Is
not that one Of the bottom sources of all
trouble?
The Witness-No, you will find that the
great difficulty has not been demand for
increase Of wages.
MIR. Parker-But is not the source of
disturbances largely because of so much
competition in labor! If you remove the
competition of labor in these disturbed
regions does not that put an end almost
TO the possibility of strikes?
The Witness-As you put it it does.
Mr.. Parker-Then, is not one of the
great causes of the trouble competition
OF labOr-an excess of men and deficiency
of work-men who have been brought in
from other countries and are increasing
in numbers in their own country?
The Witness-There is great deal in
that.
Mr.. Parker would like to hear your
Views as TO an adjustment Of this compe-
tition in labor.
BROAD SUBJECT.
The Witness-The subject js a very
broad one, and it is one which has been
the subject OF discussion since these
troubles began. One OF the best sugges-
tons that has been made to me on the
subject | would like TO repeat. 1t is that
a conference should take place between
representative men from labor organiZa-
tions and representative men from
trade rganizations-that they should
meet and thoroughly discuss the
whole subject. As to this contest between
capital aud labor look upon them as be.
ing necessarily partners as much so as
man and wife. Such discussion as that
would be approached by the railroad men
in different spirit from that which they
would manifest in discussion with in
subordinate brakemen. In this way there
would be gathered the wisdom OF all men
who had been thinking over the subject.
! do not feel that | have had enough ex-
perience to be able TO recapltuate the re-
suits Of such a conference.
IMPORTATION or LABOR.
Mr.. Parker-Is it desirable to continue
the importation OF labor from other coun-
tries-not pauper labor?
The Wituess-lt would be pretty hard
upon labOring men TO put tarif
upon competitive labor. would like 70
think a'little upOn thatsubjeet.
The Chairman Will put the question
In another form. Do You think the time
has come when this country will ba com
pelled to say who may come TO IL aud who
may not Gomez
The Witness-lt does seem TO me that
our capacity to absorb Christend0m is
somewhat strongly taxed.
Mr.. Buchanan-We are troubled as