The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-04-29
THE LEADING QUESTION.

mittee.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-The Presidents
message on the labor question occasioned
more or less comment here to-day, not
only in political circles, but everywhere.
Senator Beck is Outspoken in praise Of the
Presidents plan. He says il he could he
would adopt it and name ex-Senators Thur
map, Mcdonald and Conkling as the arbi-
tratiHg committee, and give them $4,000 a
year apiece. Such board would command
the respect of all parties. Senator Van
Wyck thinks the Presidents idea a good
one, and one that. If adopted, would bring
good results. The two prominent Knights
of Labor in town to-day. Messrs. Pow
derly and Mcdowell, both say it
is good as far rs it goes, but that
it does not go far enough. Mr. Pow
derly said: 1T is not just what I want,
though. L want department of labor l
don't believe in dOctOring these troubles l
want to go to the root OF the disease
Strikes are but medicine. They relieve the
patient for a time but his sickness comes
back Oh him. The matter must be seri-
ousy and carefully studied. We need q
department OF labor, to have records on file
to make careful and constant study of the
labor question, and be ready to act and to
recommend action at any time. Arbitra-
tion should be conducted from this depart
ment." The Pres ,lent's idea of having a
permanent commission on arbitration
Mr.. Powderly liked better than the
bill that came from the House Labor Com
mittee, which provides for arbitrators to be
appointed in each particular case. Mr.. Nc
DowelPs recommendation is that an execu-
tive department., with a cabinet minister at
its head, should be created and that the con-
troll OF external navigation or the mercaD-
tile shipping interest now held By the Treas
ury should be turned over to it. This de-
partment should be known as the Depart
ment Of Labor and Commerce. BY having
an executive department controlling inter-
nal and external transportation, railroad
and marine matters, he believes the present
difficulties could be reached and an eGuita-
bic system of regulation established.
STRIKE STATISTICS.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-The advance
sheets of the report of Joseph ID. Weeks,
expert and special agent of the census bu-
reau upon strikes and lOckOutS In the
United States during the calender year
1855, have been received By the Interior
Department The records show, he SAYS,
out of the most trivial causes. 1t is also
true, especially in localities where large
bodies OF wOrkmcn are gathered that there
will always be found men, who, too fre-
quently from sinister and mercenary mo-
tives, create dissensions and endeavor to in
augurate strikes. When strikes are in pro-
gress their duration is liable to be pro
lOnged by the efforts of such persons. Yet
the tendency is toward less frequent strikes
and lOckOutS.
The number of strikes in certain Of the
prominent trades, as given in the report. is
as follows: Iron and steel Industries, 236;
coal mining, 15S; textile trades, IS; cigar
making. -; building trades, Sc; tranSporta-
ton, 36; printing trades, IS; glass Indus
tries, 27; piano making, II; boot and shoe
making, II. Much the greater proportion
(6I13 per cent? of the strikes and lockOutS
reported upon were caused by differences
as to rates of wages, a total OF 5O3, or S6
per cent relating to rates Of wages. Strikes
growing out OF demands for an advance are
much more uniformly successful than those
against reduction. In conditions of trade
that Justify an advance it is much more to
the interest of the employer to give in than
have his work stop.
OF the S13 strikes the results of 4S1 OF SO
per cent. are given. Of these 1G9 or 81 per
cent. were successful: 81 or 13 per cent
were compromised and 227, or II per cent
were unsuccessful. While the larger num-
Der OF strikes, sos ont of S13, were for an
ldvance in wages, Il larger proportion of
strikes for this cause were successful than
for any OF the other important causes.
The report concludes: "As to wages lost
t appears that "a, 10 employees lost S3,7l1,-
J07. This would he at the rate of S57 each
As the entire number of employees estimated
vas 22S, 1873, the total loss o? wages on this
,verage would be S13, OO3, ,SGG, which would
nave been received had the works run con-
'tantly. or course there would be Il num-
Der of offsets to this. In case the strikes
we're successful, the additional wages would
for portion of this loss. In
,ther cases, where unioniSm existed IN the
radeS where there were strikers, the men
eceive strike pay or strike benefits; but
he strike benefits We're in most cases sim
by refunding money that had been previ-
'usly paid. Then in many cases the parties /
IN strike secured employment in other in |
lustries, and hence their actual loss would !
10 what wages they would have earned at !
heir old labor, minns what they did earn in /.
less profitable employment"
SECRETARY TURNER TEsTIFIEs.
WAsuINGTOY, April 24.-The fourth |
lays session of the House Committee OH /
he Labor Difficulties in the Southwest |
opened yesterday with the examination OF /
frederick Z. Turner, general secretary and |
Of the Knights of Labor. He had /
AIKEN part in the attempt to arrive at a set /
lement, and was present at Powderly's in
erview with Gould. The Knights OF Labor
obi "A 70, I'm,
iuence legislation, and had made 10 such
movement on their part.
The witness thoroughly believed in arbi-
ration, and would like to see arbitration
Mr.. Grain asked: Suppose the arbitra-
OTIS reported that the Knights of Labor
hould go to work at one dollar day when
hey wanted S1.5O, are you willing to say
Ou would ask yoCr fellow members of the
Knights Of Labor to abide by that?"
Mr.. Turner replied: ''If 1 entered into
n agreement to abide by arbitration, 1
goud submit"
Referring to a remark made yesterday by
lr. Hopkins as to prominent persons con-
ected with the Knights OF Labor having
cen seen around brokers' offices, the most
ositive denialS OF all stock Speculations
;ers made by Powderly, Mcdowell and
turner.
Mr. Mcdowell favored one of Gould's
uggestiOns yesterday as to the propriety
t having railroad engineers aud officers
censed by the general Government
The committee at 80 closed its sitting in
Washington, and it was arranged that the
lembers should leave this city for St.
.ouls Monday morning.
Said He WAS Poisoned.