National Republican., 1883-08-29
rnH LABoR ooMMITTEE.
Mr.. William q. Moody Utters a Warming
Against LandIordism irl America.


Against LandIordism Ira America.
New YoRR, Aug. 2S.-The senate subcom-
.mittee on labor aud education resumed their
session to-day. William G. Moody, of Brook
lyn, author of Land and Labor" was the first
witness. He called attention to the fact that
many foreign capitalists were purchasing vast
tracts of land in the south and west. In 1860
there were 7l6 farms Of over 1000 acres, and
in 1870 there were 1,2s6 farms Of over 1000
acres. He said that Hiram Distan, of Phila-
delphia, owned o tract of 100000 acres in
Florida, and that corporation Is possessed of
3500,000 acres in Texas. Witness continuing
said that land generally was falling into
the hands of foreign capitalists, who were
introducing their own system of working 1t.
English lords and French counts were dom
mating over territory that was three times
larger than tho kingdom of Great Britain,
and by their system of wholesale farming
they had driven the American farmer from
his homestead and into the ranks of wage
slavery. Our railroad despots, he said, had
more power than the feudal monarchs of
Europe and were in possession of 1000
acres--an area larger than Austria, Italy, and
Switzerland combined. The wage workers,
he continued, were crowding the cities, and
In New York city there were 100000 people
occupying the square mile. Most of the
oAhSAi hai hoio WoIo dDlo W beCuTe aueCeub
competency, as their farms were mort
gagged aud they gradually fell into the
hands OF the great capitalists. The
only remedy for this was the abolition of
private property in the land. He said
further that the prices of products were
were greatly enhanced by the continually
growing increased of middlemen, who were
recruited from the ranks Of those who had
no regular occupation as they had been
driven from their business by the prevailing
system of mechanical labor. If the present
system were not abolished prices finally
would reach such height that the wage
laborer would be unable even to secure the
absolute necessaries of life. The witness con-
tended that the small farmer could not culti-
vate his farm and proftably dispose Of his
produce for the reason that he was over-rid-
den by men of greater capital, who could
supply mechanical labor and had greater
facilities for getting their produce to the
markets.
After recess several members Of the Cen
trail Labor union were examined. James J.
Finnnerty, brass worker, said that fourteen
| years ago one man would finish an entire
piece. Now the same work was divided
among six or eight men; fourteen years ago
they got from $1S to $24 a week, while now
| they received only from $13 to SIS. At the
present rate of wages the brass workers were
unable to lay up any money. Years ago a
man might open shop with capital of $400,
but now it would take $4,000, and then he
would have hard job. The average life of
the molder was about a. and many took to
drink to counteract the effect of the impure
matter they breathed.
]. L. Miller, clothing cutter, testified that
their wages averaged SIS u week for nine
months in the year. Witness described how
the introduction of cutting machines, for
which 81 900 royalty on each was paid, he'd
done away with great deal of skilled labor.
Tho condition of tailors now was 200 per cent.
worse than in 1874. From 1869 to 1874, men
who were then at work succeeded in accumu-
lating real estate. Now they could save
nothing. 1t took seven men to operate a ma
| chine and the machine did the work of 1000
men. There were between 5000 and 10000
men and women engaged in this city in max
ing up clothing. Many of them were Polish
Jews aud the most miserable class o
| working people in New York. Some OF
them had eight or nine in the family, and the
most that the head of the family could
mako was $1.25 day. There were not ten
out of hundred who could read. The Polish
Jews had driven out the German workman
and the latter had gone into business for him
self in small shop. No one could safely 20
than $4,000 capital.
John Morrison, maohinist, testified that
men in his trade were unable to earn enough
to afford them the ordinary comforts of life
Under the present system workmen were
mere Chinese.
James L. Smith. lineman, was tho next
witness. He said it took nearly all the money
made when at work to buy clothes, and II
they did not dreB somewhat decently they
were not wanted. The company had no re-
spect whatever for their men in any shape OF
form. Linemen wero formerly paid SO q day
and now they get from $50 to $50 month
Witness was on the strike, and was on the
black list, and at present out Of work. The
Investigation will be continued tomorrow.