Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-02
THE LABOR QUESTION.

Congress and the Working People.
DELEGATIONS FROM LABOR ORGANIZATIONS BEFORE
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE TO-DAY.
The House committee on labor held session this
morning, and heard the statements of the delegates
1rom the labor organization concerning the cOndi-
ton OF American labor, and their arguments in
favor OF certain measures OF relief T. " Powderly,
ex-mayor of Scranton, Pa; w. Leech, of New York;
E Bullen, of Ohio, and w. F. Barkley were heard
upon the subject.
Mt Powderly made plea for the enforcement OF
the elght-hour law, and protested against the i'm
in this country by foreign capitalists. He gave a
graphic description OF the squalid condition
of foreign laborers imported to this coun-
how they reduced prices and degraded labor.
He referred, by way of example, to family OF nine
Hungarians who lived upon s27 per month, and
made statements to show that these gangs OF for
eign laborers were virtually slaves whose liberty
ana services were purchased for a mere song in
country was as Injurious to the east as that OF
Chinese labor to the Pacific coast. Mr.. Barkley
said that only about per cent Of the Hungarian
laDOrerS imported Into this country could read and
write, and their habits OF life were very degrading
He said that the standard Of labor had been
per month In cash, having to take out the rest
OF their wages in "store" pay.
. The same line OF argument was followed out by
figures in support OF their statement
The meeting adjourned little before twelve to
meet again In the afternoon.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MINERS UNION WITNESS.
MI. CosgrOye, of Pittsburg, chairman of the
Miners Union, was before the House committee on
LABOR at their session this afternoon
THE EIGHT HOUR LAw-How THE LABOR PROBLEM
WILL INFLUENCE TARIFF PLEGISLATIoN-A TALK WITH
REPRESENTATIVES, HOPKINS, ETC.
Inc Investigations into the labor question by the
House committee on labor is 1t is thought, going
to have very material effect upon the tariff ques
tlon In the House, and It's influence will not be in
the interest OF free trade. The work was begun
by Mr.. Hopkins When he introduced bill for the
establishment OF bureau OF labor statistics. This
OIL was referred to the committee on labor, and
viii be considered and reported favorably to the
House in day or two. The bill provides bureau
Tor the collection OF all useful Information upon the
SUBJECT or labor, its relation to capital, and the
means oil promoting the material, social Intellectual
and religious prosperity of the laboring men and
women. The Investigations Of the bureau Will bear
more directly upon the rates Of wages and cost
OF living of the laboing classes and the profits and
expenses OF the employers.
THE EIGHT-HoUR LAW.
In compliance with the petitions of the various
labor organizations in the country. Mr. Hopkins has
prepared bill, which he Will present to the House
for reference on Monday, providing for the enforce
ment OF the eght-hOIr law. The bill says that the
accounts Of the abOrerS in the employ Of the gov
ernment shall be adjusted upon the provisions OF
the eight-hour law, and that all work done over
tie importation OF foreign contract labor will be
reported favOrably also. These. Mr. Hopkins says,
are about the only direct measures in the direction
OF labor reform that Congress at present pass.
The question" he said to STAR reporter, "must
be adjusted upon the Information derived through
the LABOR bureau, and the adjustment must be
brought about through the tarirf."
MIR. HOPKINS ON THE LABOR QUESTION.
"The laborers OF this country" he continued,
"are to-day In worse condition than they have
been for years. Ten years ago they were In pros
porous condition They were building themselves
homes and educating their children, but to-day
many are out OF employment and Others are earn
ing scarcely enough to support their families, and
have to take their children from school"
"What Is the cause of thiS?" asked THE STAR
"This condition is brought about, he replied ssby
the uncertainty in the minds Of the prOprietors OF
concerning the probable tariff legislation 1t is In
short brought about by the agitation of the tariff
4.,estton: Manufseturers WIZ
probability before his manufactured products are
sofa that material Will be freed from duty, and he
VIII be forced to sell his goods below cost to
pete with the free goods in the market A positive
system. whether free trade protection is better
for the business interests of the country"
WHAT THE LABOR INTERESTS DEMAND.
"That the tariff should not be disturbed is what
the labor interests demand,n said Mr.. Hopkins
1.-The two questions are SO closely connected that
the one must be Influenced and governed by the
other and it is the tariff that must be governed by
the labor interests. The labor interests must be
t ~ Saegdeeu anu lne taIlH auJusted 10
meet the requirements of the case. This is the
only way to reach IA satisfactory solution of the
problem 1t Is through the tariff alone that the
laboriDg mans condition may be improved; but the
question must net be eternally agitated. The
question must not be taken up until it can be effect
!aiiy disposed of. Prolonged and uncertain agita-
ton Is Injurious
"What do you think has been effected by Senator
BalrS labor commissions" asked THE STAR.
Il have not seen the report, but l am i'm
pressed with the idea that there will be no
result whatever. Mr. Weeks report upon labor
statistics, in connection with the census for which
the House has asked, contains some very useful in
and we expect to- through It, get an in
sight into the condition and wants Of American
labor"
THE moral influence OF the enforcement Of the
eight hour law" he continued, Twill have the
effect Of reducing the hours OF labor throughout
the country. This, together with the prohibition
or the importation of foreign contract labor, WILL
in a measure relieve the wOrkingmen; the rest In
wolves financial question and rests upon the ac-
tion OF our tariff committee and our tinanclersn