Q. State if you have been able to ascertain or to gather facts sufficient to form a judgment as to what produced the strike?
A. I think the trouble originated through the discontent of men all over the country—not confined to railroads. Every other branch in some how was directly or indirectly connected with the outbreak, looking for compensation of an increased character, without regard to whether parties were able to pay it or not, and altogether, I think that whole movement was made up—either agreed upon or concerted and agreed upon under their own mode of organization. I think they took this abatement of ten per cent. as one pretext for making the outbreak.
Q. What facts have you that lead you to believe it was a concerted movement or agreed upon?
A. Simply their action, and the results spread before us everywhere.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. Is the pay of railroad employés less, as a general thing, than that of any other ordinary avocation?
A. No; I think it is greater; and I think it ought to be a little greater, because the men are subject to risks in railroading, that they are not subject to in ordinary work; therefore, I think it is the duty of railroad companies to pay a little more for that service than is paid for an equal amount of labor in the ordinary channels of life. I think we pay twenty per cent. more to-day than men receive in the various other channels of business.
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. Are they subject to greater expense than others?
A. Yes; by reason of going from their homes, their extra cost of living is something.