New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-23
STUDYING POLITICAL ECONOMY.
sENATogs LISTEN TO HENRY GEORGE-oVEl
DuCTIOS IMPOSSIBLE.

DUCTIoN IMPOSSIBLE
Tho Ssnate ub-Committee on Education and
Labor at its session yesterday listened 10 tue
naony of Henry George author OF progress ana
Poyertyn The room in the Posr-Omce building 10
which the Investigations OF the committee are held,
was we'll flied all day with the disciples anu
admirers of the witness. In the course
of the examination there were number of lively
debates between Senators Blair and Pugh ana MT
George upon the poi nts brought out III the iatters
testimony ~, &C.,. .o;a .ha+
he was not prepared to affirm that the CONDITION OF
the aboring classes in the United ctates was grow
ing worse. There was, however, an ineIeaslns u,s-
safisfactlon among them which might develop into
something serious ia the future. 1t Is growing.
be said more difficult year by year for man 10 De-
come his own employer. IheIe Is no con
filct of interests between labor and capital,
hut there il conflict between labor ana DonOpoiy.
Mr. George then defined the latter term ss the pos
session of certain privileges by some persons to the
EXCLUSION of all others Railroads and telegraph
lines are, he asserted, from their very nature,
moDopoes The tendency OF an toward
monopoly. 1t was supposed that the ntioduSt.In
of machinery would ameliorate the CONDITION Oh tne
laboring classes. but experience mas SHOWN
that. by increasing the Subdivisions Oh
labor, it has reauced them to more
dependent state The more serious iapor
troubles are due great measure to the TACT that
tho lands of the country have fallen into thehand OF
few people. LaboTers in all localities have GER
tam common relations to each other, put III gen
eral sense they must depend upon the wages re-
cejyed IN the largest occupation. Where lano is
easily obtained wages cannot sink lower In any
trade than the average wages obtained by those
who till the soil. The introduction OF railroads,
while greatly cheapenng the cost OF Transportation
has not In any sense increased tho wages OF LABOR
The value of the land along the several routes mas
barn enhanced, that is all. The witness then sald
that the condition of the laborers of the United
States would be greatly improved could they De al
lowed to take up land i'll the West. Nearly an tue
productive land has been taken up by CAPITALISTS
however, and what remained was worthless 10 lhose
who desired to become farmers
Senator Call-There are thousands of acres OF good
land in the South which can be purchased at IRON
SIS to Si5 an acre. Why is it, therefore that these
men who are so anxious to become farmers 40 not
emigrate to that sectiOnf -.
MI. George-There many reasons but chief
among them are superstition, fear OF dlfhcultlcs
which do not exist, and race prejudice.
Senator Pugh-How would you provide against
over-productionf = 1T. H..
Senator George-I do not believe there
can be such q thing as over-prodnctlcn
until everybody has enough or more than be wants.
This point has never yet been reached In ibis
Senator Pugh-It is a fact, however, that we pro-
dueed last year thousands of tons OF pig IRON iOr
which there was no market - ~,
Mr. George-This iron was wanted, Dut men ala
not have the money TO purchase II. MAINTAIN ,na'
40 long as there is q want unfulhed Oyerproduc-
ton is impossible. w.. WI; (,
The witness said that the Western Union Com
pany had during its recent troubles farnisned inc
newspapers of New-York and other cliles WIN rul.
toria articles favorable to its interests ana lna'
the friendship which exists between this corpora,
ton and the press throughout the country fal
pro we'd of great value to the Western Union during
the strike in influencing public opinion IN us ia'oI'