The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-08-07
GENERAL TELEGRAMS.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
Meeting Of the House Committee APP
pointed 40 Consider determination
of Representative of the working
men Use Of Machinery the Chief

HeDFeSem
men Use Of Machinery the Chief
Cause of the Troubles
NEW YORK, Aug. IA committee of
the house Of representatives to consider the
labor question met to-day in the post office
building. There were present A. s. Hewitt,
of New York; j. w. Thompson, OF Pennsyl.
vania A. W. Rice, of Massachusetts,, and
Thos. A. Boyd, of Illinois. Word was re-
ceived that h s. Hickey would not be able
to serve until after the October election. A
communication was also received from the
clerk of the committee on accounts of the
house of representatives., detailing what ex-
penses incurred by the committee would not
be allowed. Among these were the services
of a clerk, stenographer and sergeantat-
arms The clerk of accounts said he would
have a conference with the clerk OF the
house regarding the matter, and would let
Hewitt, who had written him on the sub
iect know. When the letter had been read
the committee went into executive session
to consider the question as to whether they
should 60 on with the work and take the
risk of the OUTLAWS being paid.
AT the close of the executive session the
committee decided by resolution to sit daily
and to hear such persons as may appear.
Thomas Rock, who represented the stone
masons, wished the committee 10 recon-
mend that all government work should be
done by people of the place in which the
government buildings are being erected. He
spoke against the system of giving out con-
tracts for government work, as the contract
ors made the profit which the government
might save by employing workmen direct.
He did not intend to apply the rule to pri-
vate individuals, and would not advise the
government to regulate wages. In answer
70 +bo he he fire
had brought many stone masons to this
country but the most of those had gone back
again. Much of the want of employment
has arisen from the use OF machinery, the
saving of stone being now done by steam.
Owing to hard times the society has to wink
at members working below full rates. If
there was no machinery the society might
compel the men to work only for the wages
fixed by the society Mr. Rock asked if the
government should not enforce the eight
hour law and was answered that the govern
ment should enforce all laws on the statute
book. Some discussion ensued on the ad-
vantsges and disadvantages of the eight hour
law, in which Rock became often worsted,
and one of the members of the social labor
union said his committee would be present
tomorrow, when many questions not fairly
answered by Rock would be answered to the
better satisfaction of the committee and the
workingmen.
Hugh McGregor, one of the self constituted
committee, consisting of Justus Schwab,
F. Bruner and himself then addressed the
committee on the subject of the government
collecting statistics of the laboring classes,
and so arranging them that they could be
readily referred to.
The chairman thought McGregor should
look over the census and see what was omit
ted. and send bis suggestions to the superin-
tendent of the census.
McGregor said it was the duty of the
the United States to examine into every
mandatory, take testimony under oath as
to the labor question, inquire into their san
itary condition, and do everything necessary
for the welfare of the laDoring classes Nc
GregOr then charged that the use of ma
chinery was the cause of the lack of employ
ment for men, and said that the mainten-
ance of families now devolves on women and
children rather than men. The commissioner
asked Mc6regor if he was willing to
take an oath as to the truth of what he
stated. and he answered that he did not take
an oath, and did not believe in what was
called the ever living and true God. He was
then asked how he could expect the govern
ment to enforce upon Others what he had
refused to do; force others to testify under
oath as to the way they conducted their pri-
vate business
NcGregor then retired and Justus Schwab.
the communist said he would present his
case tomorrow. A representative of the
granite cutters attributed the depression ia
his trade to the contract system and ma
chinery He said he was discharged from
government work in Albany for ventilating
his views, and that men were kept at work
there who were not skilled workmen, and
who were paid as much as skilled laborers.
Mr.. Hewitt said If the witness embodied his
statement in an affidavit that he would for
ward it to Secretary Sherman and have the
matter investigated. The committee then
adjourned until tomorrow.