Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-04-22
THE INVESTIGATION.
Labor Trouble Committee
Still at Work.
MCDOWELL GIVES TESTIMONY,
Grand Master Powderly Recalled.
Jay Gould Will Take the
Stand Next.

JuJ UUutu w thD
Stand Next.
lSpeciaito The Herald b. the Associated Press.
wAsHIGros, April 2l.-At the second
session OF the Labor Investigation Com
mittee. held at ll:30 A. M, VIM. Nc
DoweIl, manufacturer of machinery, a
lay member of the Knights Of Labor,
said the organization was to elevate the
members by helping them to educate
themselves; by helping them to save
that which the average workman has
wasted through bad habits; to lift him
from the condition into which he has
fallen through such habits and make
him thereafter an employer instead of
employe.
Mcdowell reviewed the features of
the several interviews between Pow
DERBY and Gould, including the discussion
on the subject Of arbitration, at consid
cradle length, but nothing was revealed
which Lad not already been made pub
lie. Then after examination as to
whether the men Of the strike would
have obeyed the orders to resume work |
II Hoxie had complied with that sent by |
Gould, to which the witness answered
in the affirmative, the witness at the |
request of Mr.. Grain entered into long |
statement relating the position of the |
labor side of the question, which views
have also been fully published. The wit |
ness in answer to question said it was the |
theory that the exactions made upon |
the men were caused by the at |
tempts of the railroad companies
to pay a dividend on watered stock
Further on in the examination
the witness declared that it was
his belief that Hoxie was responsible |
for the continuation of the strike. Wit
ness stated that he did not believe that |
there was a railroad in America which |
had been pressed to half its carrying c.
pacity He favored the abandonment |
Of competing line and concentrating
all OF the business on the Others. This |
would reduce the number Of employees
one-half. perhaps, but they would i'm
mediately find employment in other |
walks Of life, where they would not be
living by tax on the country.
Powderly was then recalled and gave |
his story OF the origin Of the Knights of |
labor. 1.-THE organization was intend
ed" he said, "to take in not only men
who worked at the bench or mine. but |
every man who toiled by hand or brain
in any honest occupation. We left out
one or two honest occupations, lawyers
and bankers, because we felt they were
fully capable Of taking care of them
selves"
Chairman ow about preachers?"
Powderly-"O in while we get |
one OF them. We will not take in
saloon keepers, even if members
wife begins to sell liquor we make him
take q divorce, not from his wife but |
from the organization.
Chairman-"In other words, il is |
benevolent society for the protection of |
all kinds Of people who toll, and is en-
tirely within the law.
Powderly- Eyes. it is entirely within |
the law"
present membership"
Powderly-"Our present membership |
does not exceed 500, 900, although we
have been credited with 5000, 600.
Chairnan---''Are women members of |
the organization"
Powderly-"Yes, on an equal footing |
with men,"
Chairman were women first
admitted"
Powderly-.Iu 1881. We claim that
if a women perform equal work they
should receive equal pay. We have
one assembly of women with a member
ship OF 1900, and from the day of the
organization to the present day single
expulsion or suspension has never taken
place. They manage their affairs in
such way as to reflect credit upon
them and to be pattern for men.
Crain-s'Do you make any difference
as to the admission of colored men into
the organization"
Powderly-"We make no distinction
in regard to color, creed or sex or condi
ton. We have one assembly in New
York where the president is Roman
Catholic, the vice. president Presbyte-
rian. and the man who occupies the
next position Hindoo. Colored men
seldom enter assemblies of white mem
bers; they have assemblies of their own
and are managing them very nicely.
Buchanan--"Up to how lately have
you worked at your trader"
Powderly-''Not since March, 1877"
Buchanan Since that time you have
been engaged as you are nowy"
Powderly-''Y principally, | have
worked harder now than / ever did;
sometimes eighteen hours day"
Mcdowell, on being recalled and
asked as TO his connection with the
Knights of Labor said he had been con-
nected with the organization about eight
years, That he was q machinist by
trade and to-day he was at the head OF
one of the largest machine works in the
country.
Chairman-"There is nothing you
know Of in the organization which is in
consistent with obedience Of the law and
with the administration of the govern
menty"
Misunderstanding whatever. On
the other hand it is perfect supporter
of the law IN every particular.
Buchanan-s'Your observation is that
the fairer treated, bettet paid and the
more contented the American working
man is, the better citizen he makes"
McDowell-''That's exactly true. :"
Powderly-'O Of the things which
a member of the organization promises
to do is this: We shall with all our
strength support the laws made to har.
monize with the interests Of labor and
capital"
The committee adjourned till to-mor-
row morning, when it is understood the
examination of Jay Gould win be COM
menoed.