Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1878-08-02
rae LABOR QUESTION.
The uease csmmistss Begins Its
investigates In New Yovk-
Attack on Labor-SAviuE ma.

The House Csmmistss Begins Its
investigates ia New Yosk-
Attack % Labor-savipx ma.
chtnery.
Nrw YoBK, August 1.-The Committee
Of tho House Of Representatives to con-
slider the labor question met to-day In the
Postoniec building. There were present
Messrs. A. s. Hewitt Of New York. J. NJ.
Thompson Of Pennsylvania. w. W. Rice
Of Massachusetts, and Thomas A. Boyd oil
Illinois. A communication was read from
the clerk Of the Committee on Accounts OF
the House Of Representatives. detailing
what expenses incurred BY the COMMITTEES
would not BE- allowed. Among these were
services Of . clerk. stenographer and
sergeant-at-arms. The Clerk Of Accounts
said he would have . conference with the
Clerk Of the House regarding the matter.
and would let Hewitt. who had written on
the subject. know. When the letter had
been read the committee went into execu-
tive session to consider the question a. 10
whether they should 80 on with their work
aud take the risk Of OUTLAWS being repaid.
At the close Of the executive session the
committee decided by resolution TO sit
daily and to hear such persons a. may
appear.
Thomas Rock. who represented the stone
masons. wished the committee 10 recon-
mend that all Government work should be
done by the people OF tho place In which
Government buildings are being erected.
He spoke against the system OF giving out
contracts for Government work, - tho
contractors made q profit which the Gov
ernment might save by employing work
men direct. He did not intend TO apply
the rule to private individuals. and would
not advise the Government TO regulate
wages. In answer to the committee he
said the Chicago fire had brought MANY
stone masons TO this country. but most
Of these had gone back again. Much Of
the want OF employment has arisen from
the uso OF machinery. the saving Of stone
being now done by machines. During
hard times the society has 10 wink at MEM
bers working below full rates. II there
Was no machinery the society might com.
pei men 10 work only for wages fixed by
the society. Mr.. Rock asked II the Gov.
srnment would not enforce the e~ight-hour
law, and WAS answered. that TIE Govern
ment would enforce all law on the statute
book. some discussion followed on the
advantages and disadvantages OF the eight
hour law. In which Rock became often
worsted. and one member OF the Social
Labor Union said his committee would DO
present tomorrow. when many questions
not fairly answered by Rock would be an
swered to the better satisfaction Of the
committee and workingmen.
Hugh McGregor. u OF . ~self'con-
stituted committee consisting OF Justus
Schwab, y. IL. Ilumar aud himself. then
addressed the committee on the subject 81
the Government collecting statistics OF the
lAborlng classes and 50 arranging them that
they could DO readily referred 10.
The Chairman thought McGregor should
look over the census and sec what Was
omitted, and send his suggestion. 10 the
Superintendent Of tue census.
McGreeor said IL Was tho duty Of tho
United States TO examine into every
mandatory. take testimony under oath ~
to the labor question, inquire into their
sanitary condition. and do everything
necessary for the welfare OF the laboring
classes. McGregor then charged that the
use Of machinery was tho cause OF lack OF
| employment Tor men, ANIL SAID tile main