The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-03
Webb Employed Spies to Fer
ret Ont the Knights.
THE PiNKERToNs WERE READY.
Powderly Thought Depew's Political
Ambition Would Avert Strike.
All the Chicago Union Carpenters Quit
Work-Australian Employers Conn
bining Against Their Men, Who Are
Allied With Those OF England.

BUFFALO, Sept. The New York Cen.
tral road is taxing back some OF its old
s.iichmen and discharging the new men
Several old men, 1t is said, were reinstated
yesterday, and others were put TO work to-
day.
NEw YORK. Sept 2-The state board of
arbitration began an investigation here to-
day OF the difficulties existing between the
New York Central railway and the Knights
OF LABOR. Third Vice President Webb, of
the New York Central, was the first wit
ness. He said the company had no con-
froversy with its employees On August
large number of employees left. and their
places had been filed. The alleged cause
was that seventy-eigh employees out of 90
ooo had been discharged. They we're dis
charged for good cause. but only seven of
these men applied to the company for IN
formation as to why they were discharged.
Subsequently. gentleman from another
state called and wanted to know why the
men were discharged, and witness declined
10 give the reasons. That gentleman was
Mr.. Holland.
Upon being cross-examined by General
Roger Pryor, Webb said be had discharged
the men on reports from members of the
secret service OF the company. The charge
Itself was unsatisfactory service An engi-
neer named Lee Was discharged for unsat-
isfactory service Lee was very arrogant
and insolent, and said he would tie up
every wheel between New York and Buffalo
II he did not get some of yanderbili's
money.
Continuing. Webb said: Several of the
men knew the cause for which thev were
discharged. Their relation with the
Knight OF Labor bad nothing to do with
their being discharged
Mr.. Pryor endeavored to find il the
Knights OF Labor question had been dis
cussed by the board OF directors, but the
arbitration board declined to admit the
question. THAT shuts US off. " remarked
Pryor, turning around to the Knights of
Labor executive committee.
Webb said he had arranged for the ser
vices OF Pinkerton men some time before
the strike. When asked about the details
OF the arrangement Webb declined to an
swer. He did not seek ihe protection of
the police authorities prior 10 the employ
ment of the Pinkerson men.
Webb was followed BY members OF the
Knights of Labor dismissed by the New
York Central Company. Their testimony
went over the ground OF the alleged ana
supposed caase of their dismissal. and the
incidents connected Herewith as already
substantially covered in these dispatches.
Holland and Devlin, executive COM
mittsemen. testified to their efforts to bring
about settlement of the difficulty by
arbitration
E. j. Lee introduced the correspondence
between himself and Powderly. Thelatter
advised him to go more cautiously. as he
was competing with corporation that
controlled hosts. On August 2 Powderiy
wrote:
1 regret 10 hear OF the condition of affairs. II
there is 10 be trouble il viii be when Depew is
away. advise you 70 avoid strike at al haz-
ards. as the order cannot support you cow. Act
on the following suggestion. Select from your
men such as are good and reliable. and secure
places for them In The West Then
have them 70 ask for shorter
hours and higher wages- This the road will
not grant: then have them quit ard take the
places secured for them Do this secretly and
await Depew's return. He is presidential can
didate, and would not care for strike on MS
road
General Master Workman Powderly was
was next called. Pending the strike be
had no interview with any OF the officials
He related his interview with Webb, but
brought out nothing new.