The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09

and for their families in case of their death,
the same as for military service.
Mr.. Richardson submitted report from the
Committee on Printing in favor of making ad-
ditional appropriation for the printing of the
eulogies delivered in Congress on the late John
A. Logan, and the bill favoring the same was
passed. He also presented a joint resolution
authorizing the printing of Ii, 200 copies of the
recent special report of the Burean of Statistics
upon wool and manufacture of wool; which was
passed.
The resolution directing the Interstate Com
merce Commission to investigate the alleged
interruption of traffic on the Reading Railroad,
and report the facts and their conclusions to
Congress, was taken up and made the subject
of extended discussion.
Mr. Clardy said that before the resolution
was adopted he desired to make statement as
to the facts. A number of men, five crews it
is stated, were discharged on account of their
disobedience of the order of the Superintend-
ent whereupon the labor organizations de-
clared strike, and the employees of the Read
ing Railroad at Port Richmond, to the number
of 2, 500, quit the service In q few days there
after the strike was declared off The Commit
tee on Commerce has no testimony before them
showing that any traffic has been interrupted
on the Reading Railroad a week or day or an
hour, if we except the interruption at Port
Richmond. The majority Of the committee be-
leves that there is statute that affords all the
remedy that can be afforded by any statute.
If there is any wrong the remedy is in the
courts at Philadelphia, where they can apply.
Mr.. Bland wanted to know, as this corpora
ton operated in coal and iron, which was pro-
tected by the tariff, whether this did not give
Congress jurisdiction to ineuire how it was that
protection enabled such corporations to domi-
nate labor.
Mr. Clardy raised laugh by replying that
he presumed that there was duty on anthra-
cite coal, and he had made an argument on that
basis; but he found on examination that there
was no duty on it, and he had thus lost his
labor.
Mr.. Rayner said that the Reading mines were
closed because the company had violated a
solemn compact made with its employees and
now commanded them to surrender, threaten
ing that otherwise it would proclaim to the
consuming public of America that that great
channel of commerce should be closed and not
q ton of traffic freighted over it.
Mr.. Davis said that both the majority and
the minority of the committee asked for an
investigation of the trouble, and it was only a
question of method in order to secure the
fairest most intelligent and most searching
inquiry and the best results. A majority OBJ
jected to an investigation by Congress, because
it did not think a committee representing
Congress was the body to investigate subject
of that character. Congress is political body
made up Of two parties, and the proceedings Of
q committee from the House would be of a
partisan character, as there would probably be
two reports antagonizing and neutralizing each
other. The history of the investigation of the
strike on the Southwestern railroads during
the last Congress illustrated this fact; that in
yestigation was failure.
Mr.. Burnes said Mr.. Davis seemed to be
oblivious to the fact that when the COM
mittee reached the Mississippi River the
] ~ IS
sultation, unable to devise proper remedy
to quiet the excitement and suppress the dis
turbances then existing. Commerce was para
lyzed cities of that part of the country were
without business or life; railroad trains were
stopped, and men were practically under arms.
Within "a hours after the arrival of the COM
mittee in St. Louis peace was restored and
/ recommended solemnly and seriously to Con-
/ gress to place all railroad employees under the
control Of the Government.
Mr.. Davis reiterated his statement that the
report of that committee was nullity, and
4 that therefore some other method of investiga-
| ton should be adopted in this instance.
After considerable further discussion the
resolution was adopted and the House ad-
journed.
THURSDAY, FEB. 2.
In the Senate Senator Mcpherson presented
petition, signed by steamboat navigators and
owners and Others against bridge over the
Arthur Kill He desired the petition printed
III the Record.
Senator Sherman opposed the use of the
I Record for that purpose, as did also Senator
/ Henderson.
The privilege was refused the Senator, but
an order was made to print 1000 copies of the
petition for the use of the Senate.
Senator Plumb offered a resolution asking the
Secretary Of War to inform the Senate as Il
I whether the military cemetery at Mound City
Kan, is under the charge Of his Department
and If so. whether adequate means have beer
taken for its care and protection.
Senator Riddleberger objected to the resolu
ton and it went over under the rule.
Senator Plumb called up his resolution in
curing as TO the inadequacy Of the mail sery
ice in the West and South. He said il was no
his purpose TO get up anything that could b.
called partisan debate, but the condition 0
things in the West demanded immediate RENE
dv. He denied that the fault was with Con
gress. He said that the matter lay almos
wholly in the discretion Of the Postmaster
General, and he must be held responsible 70
Its deficiencies.
Senator Beck defended the Postmaster-Gen
eral.
Senator Plumb said that the talk of tn
Democratic brethren about the salaries of tn
1 FO5tOIlce employees DelnR inadequate would no
bear examination. The salaries were ample
according to the ideas which prevailed anon
Democrats when the Republican Administra
tions were in power. Then they never wearie
OF berating the Republicans for extravaganza
Since they have come into power they find al
salaries and expenses too low.
The morning hour expired, and the Senat
took up the Blair Bill.
Senator Quay asked the indulgence Of tn
Senate TO be allowed to call Senate Bill No. I00C
which had been Endorsed by many Depart
ments Of the Grand Army. This bill increase
the pensions Of certain soldiers and sailors VIII
are utterly helpless from injuries received O
disease contracted in the service to $72 month
The bill was read for the third time and passed
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
the resolution referring the Presidents mes
sage to the Committee on Finance, and Sena
tor Kenna Nv. Va made an elaborate argu
! ment IN support Of the position the PresideI
, had taken in that document, and controverte
! many of the statements and conclusions
Senator Shernan's address on the same
! Senator Sherman replied briefly to Senate
= Kenna.
The Senate went into executive session, an
! shortly after adjourned until Monday.
= IN the House Mr. Grosvenor called up tn
bill regulating the construction of bridge
. across the Muskingum River, and after SON
discussion the bill was passed.
blr. Blunt asked the consideration of the bi