The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-08-02
lneubating the Labor Question.

NEW 4ohk, august -1ne SOuuit-
tee Of the House Of Representatives ap-
pointed 10 consider the Labor question,
met to-day in the postofioe building.
There were present Messrs. A. L. Hewitt,
J. N. Thompson, Of Pennsylvania, W. W.
Rice, OF Massachusetts, Thomas A. Boyd,
OF Illinois. Word WAs received that Mr..
Hickey, Of Ohio, would be unable 70
serve until SITTER the October elections. A
communication was received from the
Clerk OF the Committee on Accounts Of
the House OF Representatives, datAiling
what expenses incufrediby the Commit.
lee would not be allowed. Among these
were the services Of the Clerk, Stenogra-
pher. and Sergeant-at-Arms. The Clerk
Of Accounts said that he would have =
conferences with the Clerk Of the House
regarding The matter, and would let Mr..
Hewitt, who ad written on the sub
iect, know. When the letter had been re-
ceiTed the Committee went into erecu.
tive session 70 consider the question - TO
whether they should go on with the
work and take The risk Of their outlAys
being repaid.
I Al the close Of the executive session
the committee decided by : resolution to
ait daily and hear such persons as may
appear.
stone masops, wished the committee to re-
c6mmend that al government work
should be done by the people Of the place
in which the government buildings are
being erected. He spoke against the sys-
TEN OF giving out contracts for govern
ment work, a. the contractors made \
profit which the government might save
by employing workmen direct. he did
not intend 10 apply the rule 10 private in.
diyiduals, and would not advise the gov
ernment TO regulate wages. In answer TO
the committee, he said the Chicago FIRE
had brought many stone masons 10 this
country, but most Of those had gone back
sgain. Much want OF employment has
arisen from the use OF machinery, the
saving OF stone now being done by steam.
Owing 10 the hard times the Society has
20 wink at members working below full
rates. II there was no machinery, the
Society nigh. compel the men TO work
only for wages fred by the Society.
Mr.. Rock asked II The government
should not enforce the eight hour Law,
and was answered that the government
should enforce all the laws on the Statute
book.
Some discussion ensued on the adyan.
tages and Disadvantages oI the eight
hour Law, in which Rock became often
wors,ed, and one OF the members Of the
Social Labor Union said that his com.
mittee would be present tomorrow,
when many questions, not fairly answered
by Rock, would be answered 10 better
satisfaction by the committe and working
men. .
Hugh McGregor, Of the self.constituted
committee, consisting OF Justice schwab,
F. Bruner and himself, then addressed
the committee on the subject OF the gov.
eminent collecting statistics OF the labor
ing classes, and 30 arranging them that
they could be readily referred TO the
Chairman, thought McGregor should look
over the census and see what was omitted,
and send his suggestions to the Superin'
tendent OF Census.
Mr.. McGregor said that it was the duty
OF the United States to examine into ev.
cry mandatory, take testimony under
oath as 10 the labor question, inquire
into their sanitary condition, and do
everything necessary for the welfare of
the lAboring classes. Mr.. McGregor then
charged that the use Of machinery was
the cause Of the lack Of employment for
men, and SAID that the maintenance OF
families now devolves on women and
children rather than men.
Tie committee asked Mc6fegor II he
was willing 10 take an oath as to the truth
Of what he stated, and he answered that
he did not take an oath, and did moi be-
lieve in wharvAs called the everything
and true God. He was then asked how
he could expect the Government 10 en'
force upon others what he had refused TO
do-force others 10 testify under oath rs
to the way they conducted their private
business.
McGregor then retired, and Justice
Schwsb, commuuist, said he would pre-
sent his case tomorrow.
A representative Of the granite cutters
attributed the depression in his trade 70
the contract system and machinery. BE
said be was discharged from the Govern.
ment work at Albany for yentilating his
views, and that men were lett at work
who were NOT skilled workmen and who
were paid a much a. skilled labor.
Mr.. Hewitt said il the witness embod.
led his statement 10 an affidavit be would
forward il TO Secretary Sherman and have
the matter Investigated.
The committee then adjourned until
tomorrow.