New-York tribune., 1888-03-24
rREE TRADE F1B F4CToRY.

There is no reason for creating Depart
ment of Labor, unless it be reason that somc
particularly ignorant and shallow dcmagogues
think workingmen so much more ignorant than
themselves that the thin pretcnce of anxiety
about Labors interests may catch the votes of
Labor. Considered on its merits this meas
ure is entirely without excuse, because either
of two existing branches of the Government
the Bureau of Labor created by the act Of June
27 1884, of which Mr.. Carroll ID. Wright is
now the able and efficient Commissioner, or
the Bureau of Statistics, of which Mr.. Switzlei
is the head, if supported with adequate appro-
priatiops could obtain all the information le-
Ultimately desired as we'll without as with the
title of Department of Labor The attempt to
substitute a Department with Cabinet officer
at it's head. who will naturally he a politician
and an instrument Of a party for the time being
in power, instead of Bureau of Information
presided over by gentleman of many years
experience and distinguished success in labor
investigations, who has never been accused OF
manufacturing statistics for partisan ends,
would strike every reasonable workingman
as both an insult and an injury to him. 1t is
not necessary to say that partisan and ex-
perienced investigator like Mr. Wright would
very soon he ousted. to make room for DEM
ocrat and free-trade politician of the Mills
variety, if bill should be passed to create a
Department of Labor with large powers.
II members OF Congress are honest in their
desire for information about labor, its needs
and condition. it's wages and cost of living in
this and other countries, they can show 1t by
voting a sufficient appropriation to enable Com
missioner Wright to secure the services of cx-
perienced and trained associates, in other
countries and in different parts of this coun-
try; men who, like Mr.. Weeks, of Pittsburg,
have already mastered more than the rudi-
nents Of this most difficult study. With the
cooperation of such associates and with n
large corps of strictly non partisan investi-
gators and fact-collectors, information OF great
value to labor could be collected, and also
published when it would be Of value-not one
or two years after that time, as happens with
most of the useful information that is dumped
into the deep sea of Printer Benedict's faith
omless incapacity. Labor ought to have, and
from such nom partisan Bureau rightly sup
ported could have, information every month
or week through bulletins given through the
press, Of the demand for labor OF any kind in
any part OI u1o country, oT vi CndhseS III "hEcS
paid. In thousand ways such Bureau could
be made worth many millions every year to
actual workingmen. But to the Jawsmiths and
tho frce-trade demagogues, it would be worth
less.
What they are after is mandatory Of
falsehoods for partisan purposes. and to this
end they must have politician, as unscrupu-
lous in disregard Of truth as Mr.. Mills him
self, in control of the matter. To turn out an
experienced non-partisan investigator. Mr.
Wright, would be unpopular, unless it could be
represented that the head OF the new Depart
ment, being Cabinet officer. should be one Of
the Presidents political associates and advis-
ers. On that plea alone partisan could be
thrust into control of investigations which, il
conducted by thoroughly honest, capable and
Independent men, would not result as Demo-
Gratis desire. II the supposition does injustice,
il this is not the disreputable purpose of the
majority in the House, they can easily show it
by provision extending for certain years the
term OF office OF the present Commissioner, and
charging him with desired Investigations, and
with full power to select his own assistants
and subordnates.