Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-03
TAKE YOUR CHOICE.
Both Sides Tell Their Stories About
the Central Strike.
THE MEN WERE Unsatisfactory
In Their Work, Says Webb, and That is
Why He Discharged Them.
POWDERLY TOLD THEM TO GO WEST

NEW YORK, September To-day the
State Board of Arbitration began its inves-
tigation here regarding the New York Cen
tral strike. Third Vice President Webb
was called to the stand. He said that on
August 8 large number of employees left
and their places had been filled. He, as
manager Of the transportation and opera
tion departments, had discharged 7S of the
10000 for good reasons, which he refused to
give to Mr.. Holland. The reason was un-
satisfactory service. He said Engineer Lee
was discharged for insolehtly saying that he
would tie up every wheel between here and
Buffalo If he didn't get some of the Wander
bilt money.
Continuing, Mr.. Webb said several of
the men knew the cause for which they were
discharged. Their relations with the
Knights of Labor had nothing to do with
their discharge. Mr.. Lees prominence in
the order was no reason for his discharge.
Mr.. Pryor endeavored TO find out if the
Knights of Labor question had been dis
cussed by the Board Of Directors, but the
board declined to admit the question.
SHUT OFF.
Auob ouuIS ICuldIhcu MI EyOI1
turning around to the Knights of Labor
Executive Committee.
Mr.. Webb said be had arranged for the
services of Pinkerton's men some time be-
fore the strike.
When asked about the details of the ar
rangement Mr.. Webb declined to answer by
advice Of counsel. Mr.. Webb did not seek
the protection of the police authorities prior
to employing Pinkerton's men,. This con-
cluded his testimony.
Mr.. Webb was followed by members Of
the Knights of Labor who were dismissed
from the New York Central employ. Their
testimony went over the ground of the al
legged and supposed cause of their dismissal
and incidents connected Herewith, already
substantially covered in these dispatches.
j. j. Holland and Hon. John Devlin, Of
the Executive Committee, testified as to
their efforts to bring about settlement OF
the difficulty by arbitration.
TOLD THEM TO GO WEST.
F. ]. Lee introduced the correspondence
which passed between himself and 7. V.
Powderly. The latter advised him to move
cautiously as he was competing with a cor
poration that controlled millions of dollars
where the labor party controlled cents.
On August Mr.. Powderly wrote: ST
regret to hear OF the condition OF affairs. Ii
there is to be trouble it will be when Mr..
Depew is away. 1 advise you to avoid a
strike at all hazards as the order can't sup
port you now. Act on the follow
ing 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 Mr.. Depew returns. He is
Presidential candidate and would not care
for strike on his road"
General Master Workman Powderly was
next called. He related his interview with
Mr.. Webb and brought out nothing new.
This ended the examination for the day.