Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-09-12
Webb Tells About the strike.


board of arbitration began an investi-
cation here yesterday as to the difficult
ty between the New York Central and
the Knights of Labor. Vice President
Webb, the first witness, said the COM
pany had no controversy with its en-
ployes. On the evening Of August a
large number of employees left, but
their places had been filled. The al
legged cause was that seventy-eight
members out of 20 600 had been dis
charged. They were discharged for
good cause, but only seven OF these
men applied to the company for infor-
nation as to why they were discharged.
Subsequently a gentleman from another
state called and wanted to know why
the men were discharged. The wit
ness declined to give the reasons. This
gentleman was Holland. Witness dis
charged the men on reports from NOM
bers of the secret service of the COM
pany. The charge was unsatisfactory
service. An engineer named Lee was
discharged for unsatisfactory service.
The man Lee was very arrogant and
insolent and said he would tie up every
wheel between here and Buffalo if he
did not get some of the Vanderbilt
money.
Continuing, Webb said that 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.. 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
question. That shuts us off, re-
marked Pryor, turning to the Knights
of Labor committee.
Webb said he had arranged for the
services of Pinkerton men some time
before the strike. When asked about
the details of the arrangement Webb
! declined to answer. He did not seek
the protection of the police prior to
employing Pinkerton's 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 the incident connected, herewith,
already substantially covered in these
dispatches.
Holland and Devlin, executive COM
mitteemen, testified to their effort to
bring about settlement of the diff
culties by arbitration.
+. j. Lee introduced the cores
! pondence between himself and Pow
derby. The latter advised him to move
cautiously, as he was competing with
corporation that controlled millions
of dollars where labor party con-
trolled cents. On August 2nd Pow.
derby wrote: II regret to hear of the
condition of affairs. If there is to be
trouble it will be when Depew is away
| advise you to avoid strike at al
hazards as the order cannot support
you now. Act on the following sug.
gestion: Select from your men such as
are good and reliable and secure place.
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 Sc
cretly and wait until Depew returns
He is presidential candidate ant
would not care for strike on hi.
road"
General Master Workman PowderlN
was next called. Pending the strike
he had no interview with any of th'
roads officials. He related his inter
view with Webb, but brought out moth
Z in pom