The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-18
THE SENATE COMMITTEE.
Yesterdays Session Held in Boston.

BOSTON. Oct. 1.-THE Senate subcommittee
on labor and education held It's irst session
here today Carroll D. Wright, of the bureau
of labor and statistics, was the first witness.
He said that from 1878 to 1878 the economic
condition was very bad and fair estimate Of
the condition of the working people could not
be made. Wages had decreased and since
then to 1880 there was an increased trade pro-
duction and wages. Since 1880 there had been
a large decrease in profits and but little de-
crease in wages. Mr.. Wright asserted that
legislation was the least thing that results
from these investigations, being but a reflex OF
public sentiment which was the most necessa-
ry thing. The statistical progress of the State
indicates general progress.
Charles L. Harking, president of the Mer-
chants Woolen Company, said the condition
of the manufacturing industries is not pr os-
porous in consequence of manufacturing IN
excess OF consumption. 1t is useless TO talk OF
exporting woolens; We cannot compete with
any other country in that lire Free trade
would put an end to the wooden trade for all
time. It was a lamentsble fact that Americans
are working out of manufactures, foreigners
doing most of the work. Mr.. Harding de-
clined to give an absolute opinion whether il
would be beneficial to the country at large TO
MIL Uub buS WOOi6u manufactures ohbLoAJ.
The present duties are high enough and II
further reduction was made in raw material
the mills can stand it. Any further reduction
in the price of manufactured goods must come
out of the laborer.
George G Richardson, selling agent OF
number OF large cotton mills, said educated
operatives earn better pay than ignorant. Pro-
duction would increase with education. He
advocated reduction Of duties on the r&w
materials. Cotton and wooden industries
ft, fat int oraA had
free trade the cotton industry could thrive.
The recent Chinese legislation had injured the
China trade. He deprecated strikes.
Gen. Francis A. Walker said he thought la
Dor now receives all it can fairly expect to re-
ceive under our commercial system and natur-
al economic laws which acts on all indust ries
alike. The system of land naturalization adj
vocated by John Stuart Mill for England, and
championed in this country by Henry George
in his book, Progress and Poverty" General
Walker characterized as absurd and said any
attempt to put it TO practical operation would
prove to be an inconceiv able curse to the peo-
pie. He strongly favored the establishment of
industrial schools at which boys and girls could
learn something of the use of mechanical
tools and methods, and deprecated the present
method of education by which reflective pro-
cess and memory alone we're cultivated while
the executive functions we're permitted to die
out for want of exercise; he also favored the
application of national funds to the establish
ment of industrial schools.
Edward Atkinson spoke on a number of top
les including the cotton industries, railroad
rates, hours of labor, rates of wages, industrial
schools and the currency. He said it was not
because of any relation between labor and cap
ital that poverty existed. The contest was be-
tween efficient aud inefficient laborers by an
attempt on the part of those who would not
earn for themselves to ashare in that which
the superior capacity and industry of others
enabled them to earn