Q. At the time you first spoke of meeting the crowd of employés, and their taking possession of the engines on Thursday--the first outbreak you spoke of what was done on the part of the railroad company to ascertain the cause of that commotion? A. I did not understand that there was any secret about the causes of it all. I am giving now the public understanding. My understanding was simply this: That an order had been made--Mr. Pitcairn can tell you more fully about that--an order requiring the running of, what are called double header trains--two engines to one train, and some of the employés alleged that that imposed on them additional work without additional pay. I believe that is the short of it, and rather than comply with it, they struck. I understood that was made the cause of beginning the disturbances here. Q. Did you or any one, on behalf of the railroad company, communicate with those men? A. I did not. I understood the operating officers did, but I cannot tell what occurred between them. * * * * * Robert Pitcairn, _sworn with uplifted hand_: By Mr. Lindsey: Q. What is your residence? A. Shady Side. Q. What is your official connection with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company? A. General agent or superintendent of the Pittsburgh division. Q. How long have you held that position? A. I came here the last time in the spring of 1865. I have been here three times. Since that spring I have been superintendent of the division. Q. Now give us your statement about the riots. Tell us whether there were any differences of opinion or disagreements between the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the employés prior to the 20th of July last. A. There were no more differences than there have been since the road has been opened. There have always been differences. Q. Was there any difference existing at that time? A. No more than heretofore. The company reduced the wages of all officers and employés ten per cent. in June. Q. Of 1877? A. Yes. There was a good deal of friction and complaint. Committees called upon me, and committees from the different divisions of the road visited Mr. Scott, the president, and had conferences with him on the subject. They complained because of the reduction. He explained that the cause of it was the condition of the country, and that as soon as business would become brighter, that then the company would entertain their petitions and would act fairly with them, when the committee, as they informed me, as Colonel Scott and others informed me, professed their satisfaction, and said there would be no trouble, but that they would work harmoniously. Q. That was on what date? A. I cannot remember the date; it was after the ten per cent. reduction. Q. What was the date of that? A. I think it was in June--May or June. Q. Was there any further reduction after that time, and prior to the riot? A. There was no reduction in wages.