Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-09-06
CAPITAL AND LABOR.



New York, Sept. 4,-The senate sub
committee on labor and education CON-
tinued its session to day. John Roach
was the iitst witness. He said. In be-
ginning his testimony, that he desired to
oonfne himself to his own branch Of in-
dustry. Witness employed about 300
men, who are presented about 25
different branches. Witness began work
at IL shillings a week, hut at that time
wages were very low. Sincs then the
condition of the workingman had grad
ually improved, and the hours OF labor
had been reduced.
He thought there WAS no reason why
every industrious workman should not
own a home. He believed that the Gov
eminent was bound to legislsie in the
interest Of the workingman.
The pay roll of his business last year
was 81, 1857, 600, and he had men in his
employment who frat started with him in
business. Now they own their own
houses. Many time, In order to pay
his board, he watched opportunity to
make overtime. He Determined to sue
Deed and made up his MUD to be patient.
He came to the conclusion long ago that
fixed object IN view who would not in the
end be able to own his own home. Wit
ness never knew such q man to fail but
could, on the other hand, point
to many who were in poverty who
had it In their power Ia become
Independent. Witness said that
labor must cooperate with capital. 1t
would never do for labor to combine by
itself, aud become the deadly Toe Of capt.
tai. The sooner workipgmen were edu-
Gated to the standard from which they
could realize the force of the
maxim that "a man who
cannot make cannot own," the better
would 1t be for the labOrer as well as for
the nation. Over SO OF his men were
employed by him in former years in the
same workshop.
Frequently men in his employ came to
| him and said they wanted to get 90 OF
GlO to send to some relative In Ireland,
and asked him to deduct 80 much q week
from their wages III repayment. He
always obliged them. Witness remarked
that there are millions Of dollars an
nuslly sent out Of this country which
should be- invested here, but which ar.
I
The pay rolls for one month of tn,
Morgan Iron Works aggregated $4,000
and the average wages of the employees
were $13 or $l4 week. Witness sale
that one time he was trampiug on tn,
praries OF Illinois without dollar in hi
pocket, and yet he never tlinohed in hi
determinstio "Ten years later bough
the shipyard at Chester aud at tn,
present time more than 1900 men ar,
employed there whose wages averag,
$2.l9 day. OF these 2S7 own their owl
houses, the values Of which range from
81 200 to 5000.
In regard to free ships the witness SAT-
that, in his mind, 1t was important tina
the building of ships should be eucouI
aged as means of national defense. MIR
Roach said he wss not opposed to trade
unions He did not care how many mel
came into his works, they would no
be denied employment simply becsus
they were union men. At the same tim
he hired men individually and the
were given to understand that If the
wanted TO treat with their en-
ployer on anything they mus
treat with him individually. While h
would allow his men to amuse themselve
with their trades unions, just as wit
their religion or politics, he would allo
no combination of men to run his shop.