The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-08
LABOR INVESTIGATION.
Several Iron and Steel Workers Before the
Senate Sub Committee.

New YORK, Sept before the Senate la
Dor committee to-day Jarrett, president of
the Amalgamated Association of Iron and
Steel-workers resumed his testimony. He
said the convict labor system was very detri
mental to the interests of the working class.
The people would not object to it, however,
if competition was placed upon fair basis
and prison laborers were not allowed to work
for lower price than was current in the
market. The labor of convicts might be
properly employed in constructing better
roads throughout the country. The only
hope for the laboring man was to
educate him and improve his NOR
ais, and he would soon be able
to look out for himself Great wrong was
done to iron manufacturers in this country
by the high prices which they were charged
for ore. A reduction of 50 a ton in the price
of ore has been made lately, but the owners
of mines could make a further reduction
and still make handsome profit. The coal
mines of Pennsylvania were in a great
measure owned by the railroad companies,
which circumstance the witness thought was
very dangerous to the interests of the public.
The condition of the 10000 coal-miners of
Pennsylvania was pitiable and miserable in
the extreme Their wages were too low.
They were subject to the truck system almost
universally, and, in consequence of
their utter decentralization, they spent
at least one-half of their earnings
in drink The press of New York
was subsidized by large combinations of
capital. This feeling was gaining ground
throughout the country. In regard to pro
lection and the tariff question, he thought
the press was bought not only by the mo
nopolies of this country, but by capital
brought from abroad.
Senator Blair told witness he supposed
that all these remarks Of his would be sup
pressed by all the papers of this city; that
this had been the usual course since the in
vestigation began
VIM. Martin, of Pittsburg, secretary of the
Amalgamated Association OF Iron and Steel
workers. was the next witness. He gave the
committee an idea of its internal
management and it's different lodges.
Mr.. Martin thought if a system
of arbitration could be introduced in
all the great industries on all
questions which arose between workmen
and employers, that many OF the difficulties
resulting from the present relations of the
two classes could be avoided. 1t would pre-
vent strikes and the consequent loss of
wages, and the earnings of capital would be
benefit to both parties. He thought such
system might be introduced by means of
proper legislation.
William Weike, puddler, from Pittsburg,
vino is also president-elect of the Amalga-
mated Association of Iron and Steel-work-
ers, said that, in order to obvate the evils of
the truck system, he thought law should
be passed providing that wages in money
should be paid every workman once in two
weeks. He did not believe in importing
labor but did not object to voluntary immi-
grafton.
John J. Davis, of Pittsburg also an iron
puddler and member of the Amalgamated
Union. testified that the wages of the iron
workers are remunerative, and are regulated
by a sliding-scale system, a certain rate OF
wages being established at the beginning of
the year, according to the selling price of
iron, provision being made for an increase
in wages proportionate to the rise in the
prices of the products. The wages of miners
are not satisfactory The establishment of
postal savings INKS would be great benefit
to the working classes,
Thomas A. Miller, president of the Atlas
Iron works, Pittsburg, thought the sympathy
of the manufacturers in his district was
largely with the men. He favored trades
unions, and thought if they existed at all
they should have to be general. They are
not a thrifty class. He thought the time
was coming when we could do without
tariff on foreign competition He did not
think ten hours labor a day too much for a
strong, healthy man. Combinations of
skilled labor he believed were detrimental to
the interests of unskllled laborers who have
no unions.