Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-16
M'KNIGHT HOPEFUL.
He Feels Confident the Arbitrators
Will Recognize His Claim.
IT IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
The JohnstOwn Contractor Shows Where
the State is Wrong.
TESTIMONY TO BE TAKEN ON FRIDAY

The board of arbitration created for the
purpose of adjusting the differences exist
ing between james Mcknight, the con-
tractor, and the State authorities about
the work done at JohDstown will
sit in this city on Friday next
and take testimony in the contro-
versy. Upon their decision will depend
whether or not Mr.. Mcknight will be paid
his claims. The board is composed of Sec
retary Kremer, of the Relief Committee;
Evan Jones, the contractor. and a third
person to be chosen by the two named. A
dozen names have been suggested, but he
will probably not be known until Messrs.
Kremer and Jones come together on Friday
morning. They will likely hold their
meeting at the Hotel Anderson.
As THE DISPATCH first published In a
speciaI from Johnstown, there is a differ
ence OF about $50, 900 in round numbers be-
tween the accounts of Mr.. Mcknight and
the States representatives. Mr.. Nc
Knights balance was about S38, 900. This
includes a bill from Carlin & Sons for
81 700 and an account from Anshutz & Co.
for s., 800.
THEIR BALANCE WAS SMALLER.
Ouartermaster General Hill, of this city,
who had charge of the accounts of the State,
and Colonel Douglass, of the Baltimore and
Ohio road, who had immediate
supervision over the timekeepers en-
ployed by the State, figured out
a balance of only 5000 and some odd dol
lars due the contractor. This Mr.. Nc
knight refused to accept, and after consid-
cradle discussion it was decided to leave the
matter to an arbitration board. Adjutant
General D. II. Hastings, acting as the rep
resentative of the State, and Mr.. Mcknight
entered into an agreement to abide by the
decision of the board. If the latter decide
that the contractor is entitled to but $1,000
he will have to accept it, there being no re-
course.
In conversation yesterday Mr.. Mcknight
said:
81 have not the least doubt that the board
will not give us what We are entitled to.
We would have had no trouble with the
State authorities had it not been on techni-
cal grounds. Colonel Douglass said he
could not help but see that there should be
a vast difference in the accounts. He did
not say that our accounts were wrong, and
as they were not under his immediate super
vision he could not legally order our claims
to be paid.
A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
"The large discrepancy is due to differ
ence of opinion as to the rates paid men for
working. had men working waist deep
in the Conemaugh river, and paid them
81 IS and 50 per day. Thiswork was worth
far more than that, but the State officials
only allowed US 81 so for them. The water
was so cold at times that men could not be
prevailed upon to continue working, and
had to be supplied with stimulants. They
struck once for 50 so, yet the State only
wanted to give them the pay of
an ordinary laborer. We had other men
working in out of the way places that the
State time keepers never visited. We had
men with the commissioners and at the Red
Cross headquarters that we were not allowed
one cent for. Colonel Douglass only al
lowed US for the men actually engaged on
the rivers and highways. All other claims
he threw out. Secretary Kremer, think,
will act fairly with us and give us what he
thinks is right Mr.. Jones, am sure, will
do the same thing"