The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-16
Interview with jaw Gould.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, March 15.-Mr. Jay
Gould, to-day, speaking for the first time re-
specting the strike by the Knights of Labor on
the Missouri Pacific and the remaining portion
of the Could Southwestern system, said to a rep
resentatve Of the Associated Press: II first
learned of the strike while at Havana. and have
been advised by telegraph of the character of the
trouble more particularly since my arrival here.
The strike on our system was complete sur
prise to me, for two reasons: First, we had ac-
ceded to all the demands which had been made
upon US by our employees, and were supposed to
be working in harmony with themI second, the
present strike Is made up on an issue with which
we have nothing to DO, and which we cannot
possibly arbitrate or control The present
strike" continued Mr. Gould, originates in the
discharge of man named Hall, on the Texas &
Pacific, which road is in the hands of the United
States Court. We have no more right to at
tempt to control the working of that system than
the workingmen themselves, and would be as
completely in contempt to attempt to do so as
any 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 were discharged on the Wabash railway at
time when it was in the control Of the United
States Court Mr.. Powderly, chief. of the ex-
ecutive committee of the Knights Of Labor,
called upon me to secure the reinstatement of
the meE. The subject was then fully discussed,
ana told Mr.. Powderly that had no power in
the matter, and would not act without request
from the court. At that interview / told Mr.
Powderly that it any grievances existed among
our men, if he would bring them to our attention
we would endeaver to right them We recog-
nized the necessity OF remaining on good terms
with our people, to whom onehalf of the earn
ings of the road 60 yearly. The present strike
came without notice, aud not in consequence OF
any grievances cited against US, and in view of
my interview with Mr.. Powderly, whom I be-
lieve to be fair minded man, was all the moro
surprising to me-"
AS to the future, Mr.. Gould said: II am ad-
vlsed that great numbers of the strikers are not
in sympathy with the movement, and will return
to work as soon as assured protection by the
civil authorities. It is our intention to resume
operations as fast and as soon as this protection
is afforded"
In conclusion he declared that he did not care
to discuss the other features of the strike be-
yond the statement that the company could no.
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 involved Mr.. Gould further as
serted 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 1t was more of war against the general
public than the road. 1t was closing manufactor-
les along the lines of the railroad, and was stop
ping the shipment OF coal and other commodi-
ties to points where the people were liable to
suffer great deprivation. 1t was more fight Of
the public than Of the company, but the latter,
in the protection of its lawful rights, would ex
ercise very lawful energy to meet the demands
of its patrons in opening the road in all its de-
partments. Mr.. Gould stated that he was in re-
ceipt of kilograms from manufacturers and 9TH
ers along the companys lines, stating that they
would be compelled to shut down, but at the
same time placing no blame upon the company
or its management.