The Portland daily press., 1884-04-21
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, April19.
In the House to-day Mr.. Cox of North Carolina
from the committee on foreign affairs, reported
back resolution calling the Secretary of State
for copy of the list of certificates issued by the
Venezuela commission and for information as to
the amount of money on hand applicable to the
payment of new awards. Adopted.
The speaker then laid before the House the fol-
lowing message from the President, which was APP
propriately referred, transmitting reports of the
Secretary of State in regard to final awards made
by the late French and American claims commits.
sion against the United States for 1926 for pay
ment of claims of French citizens against the
United States. The President recommends an ap-
preparation of that sum to enable the government
to fulfill its obligations under the treaty Of
communication from the Secretary of State
was also transmitted relative to the embassy from
ton of S25 900 to defray the expenses Of the en-
bassy while in this country.
A communication from the Secretary of State
ternational conference at Washington for the pur-
pose of fixing meridian to be employed as common
zero Of longitude ana standard reckoning through
out the globe. The President recommends the ap-
preparation of $4,000 to defray the expenses Of
the same.
The House then went INTO committee Of the
labor The first bill considered that establish
ing and maintaining department of statistics.
committee on labor, briefly called attention to the
provisions Of the bill and to the advantages to be
derived from its passage. The labor problem was
one of the most important questions which demand
ed and commanded the consideration of the people.
and it was of the greatest benefit to all that de-
partment should be established which could furnish
authentic and reliable data on the ubjoct. The
bill not in the interest of any school of poti-
cal economy, but was intended to compile informa-
ton for the use of protectionist and free trader
alike. A great deal of attention has been given to
the American hog and the American steer. 1t was
time Congress should give more attention to the
alton here, but legislation in the interest of the
laboring people had been rare and stinted. The
present House had shown some disposition to atone
tor past neglect by creating committee on labor,
and this action had been greatly appreciated by tho
toilers ali over the land. They looked upon this
bills one of immense benefit to them becsuse it
would bring to the attention of the country full
and truthful statement of their condition.
Mr.. ONeill OF Missouri said that tho passage Of
this bill was demanded by the laborng men all over
the country. They realized that agriculture has
been recognized by the creation Of department of
agriculture, that the signal service protected the
shipping interests, that commerce was benefited by
the bureau to collect information from consular
officers, and for the past 20 years they had been
asking for bureau to compile information as to
labor. The statistical bureau Of the Treasury De-
partment could not accomplish what was needed,
and it was deplorabe fact that that portion of the
ton Of the larger portion which toiied. - ''''
Mr.. Bedford of Colorado spoke in support Of pro-
posed amendment prohibiting corporations from
importing foreign labor to compete with American
eitiHeng.
Mr.. Kssson of Iowa moved to change the word
department" whenever it occurs to "bureau," SO
as 10 read "bureau of labor statistics" Adopted
On motion of Mr.. Kasson, an amendment was
also adopted changing the word religious to
"moral' wherever it occurs.
Mr.. Bland of Missouri offered an amendment
providing that the bureau shall be under the charge
of the president Of the Knights of Labor.
Mr.. Weller of Iowa offered substitute for this
amendment q proposition that q commissioner
the bureau shall be appointed by the President
from list of names by the legislative COMMITTEES Of
federation on labor.
After desultory discussion Mr. Weller withdrew
his substitute and Mr.. BANDS amendment was lost
Mr.. Aiken OF South Carolina offered an amend
ment striking out the provision for q commission
for labor statistics and providing that the infora
ton shall be acquired by the commissioner of sgr
culture through the bureau Of statistics Lost, 6s
| to 81.
On motion of Mr.. Bayne Of Pennsylvania, ar
amendment was adopted requiring the bureau tC
collect full statistics relating to- immigration and
l Importation of labor,
| On motion of MIR. Cutcheon Of Michigan. an
amendment was adopted requiring it to inquire into
the effect on production of shortening the hours Of
labor.
on motion of Mr.. Warner of Ohio. the salary O,
the commissioner Of labor statistics was reduced
$500.
Numerous amendments were offered and several
| ly voted down, ana, although no debate allow
good deal Of confusion and it was not until 5.25
that the bill was reported to the House. 1t was
then passed-yess, 1872; nays, 10.
It provides for the establishment of a bureau OF
labor statistics in charge of Commission ar al sala
Of $500 who shall acquire all useful information
upon the subject Of labor its relation to capital and
the means OF promoting the material, social in
men and women. He is authorized to employ such
employees as he may deem necessary for the success
full working OF the bureau provided that the total
expenses snail not exceed $3.50 per annum.