Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-07
THE LABOR PROBLEM.
Some Absurd and Many Contradictory
Views by the WOrkingmen Examined
by the Congressional Committee
Now In Session in New York.
Questions Submitted by Mr.. Hewitt to
the General Public with a Request
for Cooperation in Obtaining
Answers-SuggestiOn from
Employers Wanted.

NEW YORK, August 6.-Thls being the last
| day of the congressional labor investigation
committee, the attendance was unusually
large G. Z. M'Nell, president of the Inter
| national Workingmen's union, residing al
West Somerville, was the first witness. The
whole difficulty, IN his opinion, is the wages
| system of labor, or, In other words, that the
| wages system and steam engine are cotem-
| poraneous, and that the productive power has
| excelled the power of consumption. He IA
vOred the eight hour law throughout the
country.
Mr.. Beck, of Danbury, Connecticut, fol-
lowed. He thought that, instead of lending
hundreds of millions of dollars to the banks,
the government should lend some few hundred
millions, free Of interest, to the workingmen.
He read a long petition to congress, asking
the government to lend any man fifty thou
| sand dollars to build house with, the
amount to be paid back by installments.
Mr.. NJ. Seltick was for aboishing the Uni
ted States senate, restricting the power of
| congress and the President to issue fiity-eight
dollars per capita, curtaiIng home labor to
six hours, and allow no one outside the labor
bureau to employ laborers.
Mr.. Kemp believed the cause of the de-
preston was the war, an over-issue OF cur
rency, and extravaganza caused by the short
period of tariff. all of which ought to be
remedied.
Il d. Rothschild, clothing manufacturer.
thought business still profitable, but prices
and wages lower. He believed In ten hours
per day for labcrers and workingmen gener-
ally. The eight-hour system was the cause
of dissi patton. He would not give the laborer
time even for amusement. The Introduction
CT machinery increased employment If
the workingman saved his wages when work
was plenty and prices high, he would not now
suffer from want. Mr.. Rothschild's remarks
were received with misses and cries OF Get
OUT"
Mr.. Schroeder advocated the building of
homes in the west for the unemployed.
William Whiting said machinery was the
curse of labor and should be crushed out. He
would also demonetize gold and silver.
Mr.. Harlan, blue-ribbon man, SAID the
present restitution was altogether due to rum
guZZilng and beer-swigging. Abolish all
traffic in liquor and beer and prosperity would
return.
Nc. Hewitt read the following questions,
which the committee submit to the public
The congressional committee earnestly re-
quest the cooperation of the public In all
sections OF the country in obtaining informa-
ton TO aud III the ISOLATION of the important
questions submitted to it. 1t especially in
vltes suggestions from representatives in all
departments of business. 1t proposes the
following questions to the employers Of labor
throughout the country:
products in 1860 and in each subsequent year
down to 1873, inclusive?
Second-What were the wages paid by
you In each of these years for labor en-
ployed?
Third-Where the persons furnishing in
formation are willing to do so, the committee
wishes them to state the percentage OF profit
made by them in each of these years on the
capital employed in their business
Fourth--What were the wholesale and re-
tail prices of the leading articles of family
consump tion during each of these years In
your vicinity?
Fifth-What is the difference, if any, be-
tween the rents of tenements occupied by the
operatives in the years 1860 and 1878 in your
vicinity.
Sixth-What was the comparative amount
of the products of your business, IN quantity
and value in the years 1860 and 1873?
Seventh-State comparative steadiness of
employment of operatives between the years
1860 and 1878, inclusive?
The committee invites suggestions from
employers and employed as to the extent and
causes of the present depression of business,
and as to any special Federal legislation
which, in their opinion, would tend to relieve
the same.
The committee will hold their next session
in the New York postoffice, August Goth.