One of the most memorable events connected with Gould’s management of the Missouri Pacific was the great Knights of Labor strike in 1885, which disabled the road for a long time. An interesting feature of the strike was a Sunday conference at Mr. Gould’s house between him and General Master Workman Powderly, at which negotiations for a settlement were entered into. The foremost representatives of capital and labor thus met to settle vital questions at issue affecting the wealth of the capitalists and the livelihood of the workingmen. Mr. Gould said to the Senate Committee on Labor and Education: “I have been all my life a laborer or an employer of laborers. Strikes come from various causes, but are principally brought about by the poorest and, therefore, the dissatisfied element. The best workers generally look forward to advancement in the ranks or save money enough to go into business on their own account. Though there may be few advanced positions to be filled, there is a large number of men trying to get them. They get better pay here than in any other country, and that is why they come here. My idea is that if capital and labor are let alone they will mutually regulate each other. People who think they can regulate all mankind and get wrong ideas which they believe to be panaceas for every ill, cause much trouble to both employers and employes by their interference.” To the Congressional Committee which investigated the Missouri Pacific strike he said: “I am in favor of arbitration as an easy way of settling differences between corporations and their employes.” CHAPTER XI. GOULD AND THE TELEGRAPH MONOPOLY. The manipulation of values and the methods of running the railroad and telegraph systems of the United States effect more nearly the personal interests of every individual than do any of the other great enterprises of the country. It is for that reason that Jay Gould’s actions in his railroad properties and his telegraph companies are such an important factor of interest in the events of his life. Mr. Gould’s connection with the Western Union Telegraph Company began in the early part of 1881. For a number of years, with the aid of the American Union and the Atlantic and Pacific telegraph companies, which he controlled, he was able to advance and depress the stock of the Western Union at will. He was simply playing a great game with his larger rival and waiting the chance when he would take possession and unite all the lines.