Los Angeles herald., 1890-09-03
THE CENTRALSTRIKE.
The Board of Arbitration
Begins Its Inquiry.
Vice-President Webb on the
Witness Stand.
Mr.. POwderly and Other Prominent
.Qq Knights Examined.
The Inwardness of the Strike Laid Bare
Chicago Carpenters Strike
Inaugurated.
Associated Press Dispatches.

New YORK, Sept. 2.-The state board
OF arbitration began an investigation
today as to the difficulties between the
New York Central railroad and the
Knights of Labor Third Vice-Presi-
dent Webb of the New York Central was
the first witness, and said the company
had no controversy with its employees.
On the evening of August large num-
ber of employees left and their places
had been filled. The alleged cause
was that seventy-eight members
out of 10000. had been discharged
for good cause, but only seven of
those men applied to the company for
information as to why they were dis
charged. Subsequently gentleman
from another state called and wanted to
know why the men were discharged.
Witness declined to give the reason.
This gentleman was Mr.. Holland.
Upon being cross examined by Cen
eral Roger Pryor, Webb said he had
discharged the men on reports from
members of the secret service of the
company. The charge itself was un-
satisfactory service. An engineer
named Lee was discharged for unsatis-
factory service. Lee was very angry
and insolent, and said he would tie up
every wheel between here and Buffalo
if he did not get some of Vanderbilt's
money. 4-a
Continuing, Webb said: "Several of
the men know the cause for which they
were discharged. Their relations with
the Knights of Labor had nothing to do
with their discharge"
Mr.. Pryor endeavored to find out if the
Knights of Labor question had been
discussed by the board of directors, but
the board declined to admit the ques-
ton. "That shuts us off,, remarked
Pryor, turning around to the Knights of
Labor executive committee.
r. Webb said he had arranged for the
services Of Pinkerton pe i, some time
before the strike. When asked about
the details of the arrangement, Webb
declined to answer. He did not seek
protection of the police authorities prior
to employing Pinkerton men.
* Webb was followed by members of
the Knights of Labor dismissed by the
New York Central. Their testimony
went over the ground of the alleged and
supposed cause of their dismissal, and
incidents connected Herewith already
substantially covered in these dis
patches.
Holland and Devlin, executive COM
mitteemen, testified to their effort to
bring about settlement of the difficulty
by arbitration.
E. j. Lee introduced correspondence
between himself and Powderly. The
latter advised him to move cautiously.
On August End Powderly wrote: II re-
gret to hear of the condition of affairs.
If there is to be trouble, it will be
when Depew is away. l advise you
to avoid strike at all hazards, as the
order cannot support you now. Act on
3 the following suggestion: Select from
your men such as are good and reliable,
and secure places for them in the west.
Then have them ask for shorter hours
and higher wages. This the road will
not grant. Then have them quit and
take the new places secured for them.
. DO this secretly, and wait until Depew
returns. He is presidential candidate
and would not care for a strike on his
road"
General Master Workman Powderly
was next called and testified that pend
ing the stEike, he had no interview with
any of thf fs,road's officials. He related
his interi w with Webb and brought
out noth1hg new.