Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-09-03
BEFORE THE ARBlTRAToRS.
Some Interesting Testimony About I'll
Central Strike-Declared on.

Some Interesting Testimony About the
Central Strike-DeclaredO on.
NEW YORK, Sept. 3-Vice President
Webb was the first witness before the ar
bitration board yesterday. His testimony
was a repetition of his statements to the
press and others in the past few weeks.
He denied that there was any trouble on
the Central now, aud said that number
of men had quit the company's employ
and their places had been filled with new
men. He gave very little information as
to why the men had been discharged,
whose dismissal had caused the strike,
holding that the company WAS not bound
TO tell any man why he was discharged.
Refuses to Answer a Question.
Generally the men in question had lost
their places on account of unsatisfactory
service. Master Workman Lee was very
arrogant and insolent, and had threatened
TO tie up the road unless he got some of
Vanderbilt's money. He refused, by ad-
vice of his attorney. to reply to the ques-
ton when did you first arrange for the
employment of Pinkerton mem" but said
he had not asked protection from the au-
| thorities before employing them. The
men scharged-seventy eight out of ~,
| 0OO-except those for whom there was no
| work had been dismissed on reports of the
secret service of the railway company, ana
the papers in the case had all been de-
stroyed.
Master WOrknen on the Stand.
Master Workmen Valentine and Lee
were the next witnesses. The former said
that his understanding was that he had
been discharged because he was a Knight
of Labor. Lee gave similar testimony,
saying that Manager Toucey told him
personally that he was an agitator, and
| must GO The discharge of men without
| giving them a hearing was a violation of
an agreement with the men. Daniel Nc
| earthly swore that his discharge was the
result. as Toucey told him, of his being
"kicker.'
Says the Charge Was False.
Charles Mallori, a member of the exec
| utive committee of d. A. 246 testified that
he was discharged July 90, after eight
years employment He was told it was
| because he had lied in order to obtain n
| pass The charge was false J. J. Hol-
| land and j. w. Devlin, of the general ex-
| ecutive board, both testified as to their
meetings with Webb and Toucey. the tes-
| timony being reiteration of the reports
| printed in these dispatches ut the time
| the meetings took place.
| correspondence with Powderly.
| The most important testimony given, as
| showing how Powderly felt about order
| ing strike, with reference to the pros
| pect Of winning, was that of Master
| Workman Lee, who was recalled to the
| stand. A letter from Powderly dated
| Feb. g. 1892 advised Lee to feel your way
| carefully" remem herring that he was cop
| ing with one of the strongest corporations
| in America, and to treat the company
courteously. Under date of April II Pow
| derly regretted to see that the road was
| picking off so many knights, and advised
Lee to do all possible to prevent strike,
which; he said was what the road wanted.
| ''The order" he wrote could not now
| support strike; besides am informed
| MIR Depew is anxious to have the men
strike" On July 80 Lee wrote Powderly
that the road was crowdiug the knights
very hard, evidently trying to force strike,
Depew's Weak Spot Pointed Out.
Aug 2 Powderly wrote regretting the
condition of affairs, saying that if there
was to be trouble it would come in De
pew's absence He still advised avoidance
of a strike at all hazards, as the order
could not support it. Act on the follow.
ing SUGGESTIONS" he wrote. Select from
your men such rs are good and reliable
and secure places for them in the west
Then have them ask for shorter hours
and higher pay. This the road will moi
grant. Then have them quit and take the
new places secured for them Do this SO
, cretly, and wait for Mr.. Depew's return
. He is presidential candidate, and would
. not care for a strike on his road"
Powderly Hopeless of Winning.
Again. under date of Aug g, Powderly
says; sit is madness for the men on ths
Central to strike They cannot win" HI
calls attention to the fact that 1892 will
be a presidential year, and in 1893 the
Worlds fair will be held, and for that rea
son the road wanted the trouble got on,
of the way at once. In conclusion h,
says: I'VE cannot assist you. Workmer
of this age will not stand assessments
5 the strike is inevitable, let the men of tn,
New York Central enter it with thei
, eyes open"
, Mr.. Powderly was called, and related
r his interview with Mr.. Webb, but sait
, nothing new. Pending the strike he sale
. he had no interview with any of the Off
Gals of the road
' For delicious dish of ice cream or