The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-02
THE HOUSE.
The Day Devoted 60 Discussion Of the
Reading strike

WASHINGTON, FEB. l.-Mr Burnes, OF
Missouri, from the committee on appro-
priations, rep Jrted the Urgent deficiency
bill, and il was referred to the committee
OF the whole.
Mr.. RYAN, OF Kansas, from the commit
tee on appropriations, Experimentation
calling on the Attorney-Gcneral for the
names OF all assistant United States district
attorneys who are being paid out Of the
appropriation Of 100000 made in the last
sundry appropriation bill. Adopted.
Mr.. Glass, Of Tennessee, FROM the com
mittee on agriculture, reported n bill 10
promote agriculture. Referred TO the COM
mittee OF the whole.
The morning hour having expired the
House proceeded, in accordance with pre-
vious order, to the consideration Of the
report Of the committee on commerce rel
ative to the proposed investigation Of the
Reading strike.
Mr.. Clardy, OF Missouri, chairman Of the
committee on commerce, said that after q
careful examination Of the matter, a
majority Of the committee had been satis-
fed that the original resolution offered by
Mr.. Anderson, Of Kansas, for Congress
sional inquiry, ought not 10 be adopted.
lie briefly sketched the origin Of the rail.
road strike by the employees Of the Phila-
delphia & Reading Coal and Iron COM
pany, whose stock, he said, was held
mainly by the stockholders of the Reading
company. There had been no testimony
before the committee showing that inter
state traffic had been inicricrcd with on
the Reading road q week or an hour, with
the exception Of brief interruption at
Port Richmond, on account Of the refusal
OF the men 10 obey the lawful orders Of the
superintendent.
Mr.. Rayner, Of Maryland, did not be-
lievc in halfway measures ON this sub
feet. When monopolies combined 10
drive the ranks OF labor 10 the starvation
point, that labor had an equal right, by
every natural law Of justice, 10 combine
and strike for living wages. lie said this
not In the spirit Of dcmagoguism, for he
had neither the arts or aspirations Of a
dcmagogue, but because I've believed II 10
be the living truth. lApplause. lie was
the mortal Toe Of violence In all It's forms,
but he was the friend Of labor, and its soy.
ereign power should be- exeried in every
peaceful way 10 assert and yindicate its
rights. The Reading road had broken
and violated solemn compact IL had
made with its employees, and now II com.
mandcd them 10 surrender under threat
OF proclaiming 10 the American people
that this great tributary Of commerce
should be closed, and that not ton OF
traffic should be freightcd over iis road.
Should this be done? lie, for one, said
never. Congress had the power-bcyond
that which belonged 20 the interstate
commerce commission-to bring this
great monopoly 10 bay. The Reading
company had incorporated legal fiction
known a. the Philadelphia Il Reading
Coal and Iron company, oficcrcd by IN,
same officers, controlled by the same
agents as the Reading Railroad company
and under the mask Of this legal fiction
the railroad company was now violating
/ the constitutional provision of the state
that chartered and created IL.
Mr.. Grosvenor, Of Ohio, inquired why
| II the railroad company was chartered un
der the laws Of Pennsylvania and had de
\ waited from the business authorized by II,
charter, proceedings In the nature Of que
| NhIAnNo fohiu noi Dc luhuluitu hkhlnNl "
/ In the State courts.
Mr. Rayner (sarcastically)-Thc court,
Of Pennsylvania are In the habit Of grant
ing writs Of quo wauanio.
Mr. O'Neill, Of Pennsylvania, declared
vehcmently that the first complaint on
quo wafmnto ever heard In a State hac
been heard In the courts OF Pennsylvania
Mr. Rayner, continuing quoted from
the argument made by Mr.. Gowan, coun
sci for the Reading Railroad company, be
fore the supreme court, In the case Of IN,
state Of Pennsylvania against the Readinl
Railroad company, In which he took IN,
ground that State had no right 10 tax III
freight and Congress alone could rcgnlat,
It's commerce. Now, said AIR. Rayncr
when Congress was seeking to inyestigai,
It's traffic the company said that Congroe
had not that power, because Il was Stat,
corporation.
Mr.. o'Neill, Of Pennsylvania Does IN,
gentleman know that any Of these corpora