The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-07
LABOR AND EDUCATION.
BIr. Swinton Presents n Complete System of
Social Economy to the Senate
Committee.

New York, Sept 6.-The Senate commit
tee on labor and education resumed its ses-
sion today. John Swinton took the stand
and testified at considerable length. He
recommended renewal of the income tax as
originally in force, the establishment OF
national board OF industry empowered to col
leet labor statistics of every description and
including power to enforce the eight-hour
law, the establishment of effectual boards of
health, education and public works, indus
trial schools and colleges on the French sys-
TEN of public membership, railroads and tel
egraphs on the Belgium system, freedom of
patents, postal banks under the British sys-
TEN. land laws which will prevent the hold
ing by private individuals of great tracts of
land, public ownership of coal,
iron gold and other mines, and all oil
wells. Every one of these measures have
been put in practice in one country or an
other and were all capable of enforcement
by legislation and have in every instance
proved successful. A national bureau of in
dustry was absolutely necessary for securing
wise legislation, as there was now no data OF
accuracy upon which legislators could rely
The present system of boards of health was
not effectual as shown by the state of the
public health in all large cities. In New
York people in some districts were crowded
together like animals. and children grew up
with un healthy and enfeebled constitutions
Witness maintained that an industrial school,
such as exists in nearly all European coun-
tries, should be instituted here, and be under
control of the government. Mr. Swinton said
the working of the railroads and telegraph
lines by the government in Berlin showed
conclusively that it should be adopted in
this country; and he thought the Legislature
J Il L IL 3
ion that the government should institute
postal banks where the poorer classes could
make deposits and obtain an annuity. In
speaking of the press, the witness, in answer
to a question from Senator Blair, said the
press, as a rule, was unfavorable to the work
ing classes.
II am convinced of that myself" said
Senator Blair, "since this investigation has
been in progress, and in my opinion such
wilful misrepresen tation should be punished
criminally."
In closing Mr.. Swinton urged the COM
mittee to do all in its power to suppress
threatened billionaires, and raise and educate
the lower classes
John Jarrett president of the Amalgamat-
ed Association OF Iron and Steel-workers
of Pennsylvania, said he had been engaged
twenty-five years in the iron industry in
Pennsylvania. The association of which he
was the head was composed OF employees of
the organization was to secure the moral,
mental social and financial improvement of
its members and bring about conditions
whereby the rights OF members are recog-
nized, and see that they get fair days
wages. There were many mills in Pennsyl-
vania which were not under control of the
union. In these the rate of wages was in
variably lower than i'll union mills. There
had been numerous strikes before the SUI
preme power of the union was acknowledged
bv the manufacturers Among the membe
OF a new organization there was always a
tendency to strike at the least provocation.
Now method of arbitration was pursued
largely, with satisfactory results. Repre-
sentatives of the workingmen and manufac-
turers met once a year and decided on the
scale of prices and wages. All iron-workers
were in favor of protection, because it pro-
tected them in their wages. Protection did
not increase the price of STEEL but if it did
not exist there would be no employment for
iron and steel-workers. In some mills
which are not controlled by the union, work
men are paid the same wages as are paid in
England. Mr.. Jarrett, in answer to Senator
Call, said man who sold his ore at 81 per
ton less than his competitor, and disposed of
three times the quantity his competitor did
would be able to pay better wages, but the
trouble would be to make him exercise his
ability i'll this respect. The laboring classes
should be compelled to attend school, and
the government should adopt means to carry
out system of public education. Mr.. Jar
rett said if the industry Of tin plate many
factdre was carried on in this country It
would give employment to 10000 men. The
ore could be obtained from California and
Australia as cheaply as England could OBJ
tain it from her own mines. Under the
present tariff rates tin plate manufacture
could not be carried on. The industry was
connected intimately with iron working.
Tin plate manufacture was attempted year
ago in Pennsylvania, but failed on account
OF a reduction of the tariff. ENGLAND can
produce plates at cost of 81 per box, and it
cannot be done here at any such price
Seventeen million dollars was paid to En-
glish manufacturers last year by American
merchants for this commodity Plates are
used in the manufacture of all tin utensils
The tari IF should be increased SO American
manufacturers could afford to pay the wages
Of the men engaged in this industry.
AR md lisau inv riah1t