New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-22

in this city yesterday, and heard three
| witnesses The relations OF capital and labor
and new method Of electing officers were the chei
subjects spoken of. The HarmOnizlng COMMITTEE
of the National Observation-Disclosures party succeeded
in inducing the Brooklyn factions to mite.
SEEKING CAUSES OF DEPRESSION.
RESUMPTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL Committees
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ON IRE RELATIONS or
CAPITAL AND LABoR-A NEW METHOD OF ELEC-
TONS
The Congressional Committee on the De-
preston OF Business Labor resumed its sessions yes
terday morning. in room No OF the Post Ohice Build
ing The room ed with witnesses and spectators
including one Messrs. Hewitt. Rice ana Thomp-
son. of the committee, were present In opening the
proceedings Mr. Hewitt said II was announced ut tho
close of the last session that when the meetings were
resumed the committee would call only such witnesses
as It desired TO hear Only those who had special
knowledge OF the cause OF the labor troubles would be
called, for the present at least.
W. Goodwin MoOdey. Of Boston, was the first witness
IN calling him, Mr. Hewitt said that Mr.. Moodey had en-
titled himself to hearing, the paper witch he had
read before the Social Science Association at Cincinnati
was found to be a most valuable contribution. Mr.
Moodey that he OF the opinion that capital was
the fruit Of aborOne OF the ultimate products OF labor
Mr.. Hewitt-DO you hnd an inherent warfare De
tween themi Al do find that there is any conflict
act growing of misrepresentation Of the relations
between both parties
Q-What are the direct causesi A.-The great cause
is because the masses cannot understand why they
should suffer extreme poverty and want, while the man
capital appears TO enjoy absolute ahuenee THIS exists
through ignorance OF the real state OF facts IL ere
ates an antagonsm between theni-aD enmity. Yes on
both sides
o-Is the workinmens grievance we'll founded A.
i think not They are probably living in much har-
mony as they could under the present condition Oh
things In many instances possess wealth through
proyidcnt habits. business, think Is chiefly
owing to accident.
Q.-Wny does harmony not exist at the present time
Alt grows OF the changes that have taken place in
our Industrial condition during the present century All
our methods Of labor have radically changed Where
everything was produced at the beginning OF the cell
tury by muscular action, now II by mechanical force
Q-Is this change benefcent one or the reverse A.
Properly used, bcne1cent one. look upon machin'
cry ~ having mission. IL will lessen the amount OF
human toll aud give greater comfort TO ALL Improperly
used, IL produces decentralization aud disaster.
O-Wha' Is the improper OF machinery. A.-TO
use IL In such to require only portion OF
the muscular force. Its must not throw the muscu-
lar force into dleness As soon discovered, must
adapt the machinery and muscle together be eye that
machinery ought be developed TO It's utmost extent
GLOW can you employ the idlc muscle, then Al
dozen represent tue iua54 anu Dg tue use VI
ehinery six are thrown out OF employment, then the
time OF the six should bo shortened Onehaf, so to
employ the twelve. II necessary double the amount OF
machinery IN order to keep the twelve employed
o.-Why double the amount OF machinery, when half
can do all the work that is required for which there
is demandi A.-fo keep the twelve employed.
o. l. capital OF value to the whole community A
Most assuredly.
Q-Hoa, then, eau Il be Of value to expend capital in
useless machinery or machinery for which there is
worki A.-Capiia must not lie dormant Capital Is n
blessing when Il active; when It Is used and turned
oyer In In business Ono OF the i In the cOnsiruc
ton OF machinery. by using only one machine In an
cstab shmeui, yon destroy own market because If
YOU employed twice ~ many men YOU would have twice
ns good market oar markets are destroyed mere be
cause half OF tine people eaut enter tue markets II one
half the labor population are producing enough for
the whole. Is because onc-bh the labor population Is
idle aud suffering " too much IS produced by employ
iug the whole population then work them az on ba
time the machinery in proportion rs the
rasscs IN. men might be- employed at hrst the same
a. tho miners work. iu Shifts don't thlnk the pol
ICY, however, would be a good one.
Mr.. Rlce-WOud yOu have the time Fixed by leglsla
tioni Al know Of no other way.
Q.-Tuo farmer has certain seasons when he can work.
and ot ier seasons when ne rests Daring hls active
seasons woud you compel min by legislation 10 work
Ouly a certain portion Of the dayi A-ie might take
shifts. dou'i now you eau make distinction IN
any particular case.
sixteen hours day. II has nuw been reduced down 10
eight aud ten Would t not be better to walt patiently
for The hours of days labor 60 decrease OF themselves
than 10 attompt harsh and arbitrary legisauoni A.
Tnat carries long delay and pr"ca'tinauon.
TAXING CAPITAL AND WEALTH.
Herbert Radc Ne OF Boston. the next witness He
was formerly Editor OF The Journal ~ Commerce, OF Bos
ton but is now an agent Ot Business Improvement
Society Mr.. Hewitt asked the witness several questions,
but Mr. Radcliffe preferred read an address which lac
lie sd TINT there was much distress forced upon labor
by the dishonesty which has existed IN savings banks
and Insurance companies IA Mass'cnnse'is tIere were
hank
s"biret for Congressional Investigation. Poor people
money in Government bonds without taxation
Mr.. Howtt-Ihe rich people do Dot hold tho Govern
ment bonds 10 great majority tae bonds are divided
among the masses saving banks ana estates The Bow
ey savings Bank hOldS about plEOOO,OOO Al man
invests $4,000 In Government bonds lie gets his inter
est without taxation II ho invests It in business he has
pay taxes, 1h duties ana DINER expenses when ue
crease his profits. The tariff Is one Of the wrongs
Mr. Radcliffe began 70 read statistics and other data
about tue tAuf but Mr.. Hewitt referred hun To the
WAYS aud Means Committee. lie then continued: Il
would recommend an Income tax; would relieve active
capital hut TAX accumulated w.nith."
Mr. Hewitt-How will you make the distiuctioni Mr..
Rice here, say. accumulated wealth 10 the amount
business. invest tho same amount In the same way,
but borrowed every cent aud have 70 pay Interest VIII
y1u tax Mr. Rice ana mel VIII you tax both OF
or nsithcri A.-But that Is active capital.
William G.. H. Smart, Of Boston, was the last witness.
He Is stOnecutter who works, when be has an OppOr
tunty under employer. La other words, he said be
with the abolition Of all interest money property III
timately would DO equally distributed. Although the
thought harmony could obtained pictured TO the
commit state Of existence where no one would own
property except what lac occupied himself.
Mr.. Hewitt-HOw would YOU live when you got old
and could not work. A.-By approximation. Every
one whether he wanted TO not, should be compelled
BY legislation to work and provide for his old age and
insure his life benuht Of his family and against
accident. claim that legislation could compel all TO
do what individuals do now wnen proyldent.
Mr.. Ricc-WbO will pay and receive this money,
regular company A.-No, the Nation. The Nation
should be the great capitalist.
Q.-WOuld not that be concentration OF capitali A.
The money would belong to the people.
Q.-NOu1 you have any office holders IN THIS scheme,
and II 3d. might they not prove dishonest Alt GER
tanly would be- dangerous trust II In the hands Of
few mon under The present form Of government. But
idea Is industrial government
O.-IIOw would the officers be chosen A.-By ballot,
but not IN the present system would have no one