The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-16
Inquiry of the Congressional Inves-
tigating Committee.
Why the Company is Fighting the
knights Of Labor.
The Goal Business n Losing One tc
the Road.
President Corbin Denies that Rail-
roads Have Ever Conspirea
to Put Up the Price
OF Goal.

PHILADELPHIA, IA, req. lo.--lHc Con-
gressonal committee appointed TO investi-
gate the Reading strike met in this city
this morning and examined Austin Cor
bin.
Mr.. Corbin said that the capitalization
stock Of the Reading system was $4,000
600. lie was president of the Reading
railroad, but not Of the Reading Coal and
Iron company. Mr.. Corbn admitted that
the Reading road was engaged in inter
state commerce, and that the Reading
Railroad company owned all the stock OF
the Reading Coal and Iron company. lie
gave all the history of the present strike.
He said, and explained at length reasons
for the statement, that the whole trouble
arose from the refusal Of tho Knights OF
Labor TO handle freight sent 10 the Read
system from places where there was u
strike (tho Lehigh system), in which strike
their organization was engaged, or to move
goods which came from firms which en-
ployed "scab" or non-union labor. Mr..
Corbin explained that the company was
bound as q common carrier TO accept and
move all freight offered TO IL for Transport
tation, and couldn't keep mon in its en-
ploy who refused TO move such freight. In
speaking OF the strikers who refused TO
come back when they were given an OPP
portuuity ON Tuesday, December q, after
the Knights OF Labor had ordered them
out, Mr.. Corbin said: "In this way there
were about 1900 men laid off the rolls,
and none Of them shall come back while
am president Of the road"
Mr.. Corbin read a long statement show
ing the nature Of coal mining operations,
10 prove that coal was really u manuiac-
tured product, and the expenses attending
| its production were very much increased
because Of the use Of valuable machinery,
| the waste and other incidents OF the work
OF preparing IL for shipment. lie quoted
figures 10 show that the Reading Coal and
Iron company has only received since
1881, on an average, 20 cents ton net for
its coal, and said that no owner Of coal
land would lease his property at Il royalty
OF % cents per ton.
Mr.. Corbin said that the capital stock Of
the Reading Coal and Iron company,
which was full paid, was $1,000, 900 and
that Il had n mortgage Of $4,000, 600 or
more which was given for purchase money
and improvements In answer 10 the
question was there not an agreement with
the men that no one should by discharged
unless the matter was submitted 10 arbi-
tration, or their case could be heard, Mr..
Corbin said that. lac believed there was
some sort OF agreement TO this effect, but IL
was never intended 10 cover such case Us
the refusal Of the men 10 handle goods,
which the company WIS bound 10 take rs
common carrier, merely because the
maker Of the goods was Objectionable 20
the Knights Of labor. As well might IL
be said that such an agreement would pre-
vent the immediate discharge oil an
employe who should burn up an
engine or puposcly wreck train.
The agreement referred 10 such matter
ns could In reason DO the subject Of arbi.
tratiOn. Mr.. Corbin's attention was called
10 the statement that Supt. Swoigard had
agreed 10 take the men back and submit
the question 10 arbitration. lie said that
he didn't believe II. There never was any
intention 90 arbitrate this matter on his
part. lie had been thwartcda and annoyed
by these men for months and under tho
circumstances had considered IL his duty
10 take the matter in his own hands. Mr..
Corbin then proceeded with the question
Of the strike of the miners which follow
cd, and which he claimed was caused by the
sympathy Of the latter with tho railroad
employees.
The miners. he said, had no reason OF
any disposition 10 complain, aud would moi
have gone on the strike but for the pres
sure Of the knights OF Labor upon then
from Philadelphia. lie explained the con
tract under which miners wages arc paid
by tho Reading Coal and Iron company
. upon a sliding scale, the basis Of which i
coal at a.. 80 at Schuylkillhavcn. lie sale
that in September q contract was mad
with the miners that for four months Their
should be an advance Of 3 per cent upoi
, this rate, II the strike In the Lehigh rcgioI
continued 10 long, but u that strike ende,
, In the meantime the old rates would b
/ resumed. On January /, 1883. this agree
( mont was 20 terminate, aud work was :
20 on under tho old sliding scale basis.
Mr. Corbin denied, In answer 10 ques
tons, that there had been any priyat
!. agreement with the miners which was ne
in their written contract 10 the q
d, feet that II the Jehigh strik
went ON the per cent. ndyanc
!, would be paid. Tho company In
! gefused 70 pay this advance after Januar
a / and the miners had refused 10 work. !
u concluding this part OF the statement Nj
Corbn said: 1--WE are and have bee
!; willing 10 take up tho question Of rcadjus
u ment oi wages II the men will return
o work, but We will not treat with thel
l. while they are out. We will make bas
as high rs any other company, but "
;. can't make Il higher and compete wit
I, them. And another thing. We can III ii
'e places Of the striking miners In ten days
9 the new men can be- protected. Up In u
mining districts big mtn with clubs mn
Z pistols are violently keeping not only 9TH
G, men out, but boys who desire 10 earn
I'd living away from the mines and Il
a breakers. We have been compelled
d. protect the 5000 men now nj work
police and consiables, under coun
officers, the expenses Of which we will
compelled 10 pay. We don't care wheth
re the men belong 10 labor organizations
al not. We will not seek 10 find them OF
II. but We will put 10 work all miners wi
H. apply 10 our oollieries and ask no QUO
re- tons"
he The witness pronounced the stories Of
combination Of the coal companies oil on