Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-02
BOARD OF ARBITRATION,
Of New York Central Trou-
bles Begun Today.

NEW YoRx, Sept 2-Messrs. Purcell, Robert
son and Donovan Of the state board OF arbitra-
ton today began their investigation of the
causes OF the strike on the New York Gen.
trail and Hudson River Railroad. H. Walter
Webb, third vice president Of the company,
appeared with Frank Loomis, counsel for the
road, and Hamilton Harris Of Albany TO advise
him. Gen. Roger A. Pryor was present az
counsel for the Knights Of Labor. j. J. Hol-
land and A. W. Wright Of the general execu-
tive board Of the knights we're also present
Vice President Webb was called and said:
''The company has no controversy nor has it
had with any Of its employees. On August 8 a
number Of our employees voluntarily left our
service. Since then their places have been
filed and the road is operated successfully
The cause alleged for these men leaving was
because the 70 men OF the o. 900 on the road
had been discharged because they were Knights
OF Labor. These men were discharged by my
order for good and sufficient cause. The COM
pany had q right to discharge any Of these
men without giving reasons for so doing On
the 9th of August Mr.. J. J. Holland called upon
me as a representative Of the Knights OF Labor
to talk tho matter over. / refused and have
done so each time proposition has been made
to me since"
On being cross-examined by Gen. Pryor Mr.
Webb said tho men had been discharged for
lack of employment and unsatisfactory service.
His knowledge was obtained from the secret
service bureau OF the road. Witness could not
produce the reports made by his secret service
as they were not now in existence.
A question by Gen. Pryor ut to whether the
read had ever discussed the policy of employ
ing knights OF Labor was not allowed by the
board.
Mr.. Webb was then asked when he first ar
ranged for the employment Of Pinkerton men.
Mr.. Harris objected, but the board held that
the employment OF agencies to protect its
property was a matter of public interest and
not private matter, as held by the counsel
Thereupon Mr.. Harris directed Mr.. Webb not
to answer. On being asked il he ever requested
aid and protection from the police before no
employed Pinkerton men Mr.. Webb said that
he had not. This ended the testimony for the
Central.
w. A. Valentine, master workman Of Assem-
bly, 1860. and one OF the discharged employees,
was the first witness for the knights. The wit
ness received a written communication from
the assistant superintendent which stated
that his services would not be required
after August L. Then in a rambling way tho
witness told how he had been cautioned not to
appear too prominently as knight of Labor,
as it would Interfere with his promotion.
Dennis Mccarthy. train baggageman. testi-
fed that he was discharged on July 81 On
August he asked Mr. Toucey if his discharge
was final. Then Mr.. Toucey accused him of
being one Of the "kickers" and knight of
Labor. The witness appealed to Mr..
Toucey to remember his twenty years of faith
full service. and the latter revoked the dis
charge, but whom witness reported for duty
afterward he was ordered to give up his badge
and KEYS by a'subordinate Of Mr.. Toucey and
was then discharged.
L. ]. Lee, master workman Of District GAG,
testified that District 246 ordered the strike
because the company had violated an agree
ment with the men in which it was agreed to
give the reasons for all discharges.
Witness had always performed his
duty faithfully and at the time
Of his discharge was an extra hand and was
on leave until he was ready to report for work.
On August Mr.. Toucey told the witness that
he was an agitator and would not be taken
back. but that he would not be black-listed,
and if he could get situation on the New
Haven road he would give him a recommen-
dation.