The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-02
ions are seeking to prevent this invcstiga-


out in the dead of winter with their de-
pendent families. Applause.
Mr.. 0Neill-l did not ask rs to that. |
asked whether you knew that the Reading
Railroad company and the Philadelphia
Coal and Iron company are seeking TO
prevent this investigation. ! say, for one,
they are not.
Mr.. Rayner-Then, why not allow the
investigation? Why not adopt the reso-
luton?
Mr.. O'Neill-We will adopt it. Zap
plause,
Mr.. Rayner-If you will adopt il, ! am
done. Loud and long continued calls OF
Vote Note"1
Mr.. Rayner-I wish to add but word.
This reference TO the interstate commerce
commission amounts TO nothing. You
might Us well refer il TO the Chinese em-
bassy or to the public printer. You will
get II back Just as soon. Loud laughter
and applause. What is the use of knock
ing at the door Of the interstate commerce
commission? II never takes up case
mere motu. You do not direct IL TO do
anything. You merely request il. by
the time II investigates the question the
men will have all starved 10 death.
Let us track the subject TO the
iountain-head, and let us discover,
MS ! believe we will, that this is a con-
-piracy OF capital and not of labor, and let
us apply the most heroic remedies lcgisla-
ton can devise TO break up these Internal
systems which, under the name Of trusts,
are shadowing the prosperous homes and
business centers OF the country. | know
il is hard fight. know that monopoly,
inscriptions Us 20 the methods IL employs,
is an enemy terrible 10 encounter. But,
in my humble experience, have never
yet seen the day in the halls OF legislation
when honor, which has no price, or man
hood, which knows no fear, couldn't drive
II like a skulking coward from the field Of
battle. Applause
Mr.. Davis, of Massachusetts, commented
on the fact that the petition OF these 50, 900
miners was presented on the same day the
report of the committee on commerce was
presented. While he did not charge that
II had been suggested by any member, II
was reasonable inference that il had
been produced rather by parliamentary
than by business methods. lie advocated
| the report OF the majority OF the commit
tee, believing that Congress was too much
Of political body properly 10 investigate
| purely business matter, aud because he
did not believe that an investigation by n
Congressional committee would be pro-
ductive Of any good results. To strengthen
this assertion, he instanccd what he
termed the failure Of the Missouri Pacific
investigating committee to produce any
| good results or reach any conclusion.
Mr.. Bunes, Of Missouri, reminded the
gentleman that within twenty-iour hours
after the arrival Of that committee in ST.
| Louis peace had been restored and COM
merce had been resumed. Applause. ]
And he further reminded the gentleman
that the committee had recommended that
every railroad cmploye should be placed
under the control Of the government just
as the employees Of steamboats, carrying in.
terstate commerce were placed.
Mr.. Davis denied any recollection oi
such recommendation having been made
by the committee, aud thought il COULDN'T
be found anywhere In the report.
Mr.. Clardy, Of Missouri, said that II II
appeared 10 be the desire of the House Ia
investigate the question, he would with.
draw any opposition 10 the original Ander-
son resolution, provided II was amended
40 ~ TO create special committee.
Some discussion then ensued as 20 the
proper iorm Of the resolution, in the course
oiwhich Mr.. Randall, OF Pennsylvania, said
that the controversy between the railroad
company and liz employees was but one
branch Of the investigation. The most
important branch was that relating 10 the
controversies existing between the coal
combinations and the miners. In his
judgment the miners ease was a vast deal
stronger than was that OF the employees oi
the railroad, and he, therefore, suggested
an amendment extending the investigation
into the existing differences In the Lehigh
and Schuylkill coal region between the
mining corporations aud the miners.
Mr.. Tarney, Of Michigan, thought that
the House was getting into = little confus.
ion a. he did not believe II had the author.
ity 10 investigate institutions In the State
Of Pennsylvania. lie wanted 10 know
whether the Reading railroad was defying
the law and whether the strike was not d
lockout, forced by the railroad corpora
tons whereby thousands Of men wcr,
thrown out Of employment for the purpos,
Of raising the price of coal. II these i'm
mense corporations, built up by Congress
were choking the very life blood ont o
the nation, Congress ought TO know H.
Mr.. White, Of New York, suggested m
amendment, extending the inquirinI
into the question ~ 10 whether Their
was any unlawful combination o
large bodies Of men TO interrupt the bust
ness OF the Reading railroad company
and 10 deprive IL Of freight destined fo
transportation 10 points outside of Penn
sylyania. and II such combination IL iount
20 exist the committee Il directed 10 ~
port what legislation Is necessary 90 pre-
vent and punish such combinations In th'
future.
Mr. Brumm-I don't object 10 that.
want broad investigation.
Mr. Anderson, Of Kansas do; there I
too much Wall street about II.
! After some delay the various proposi
! tons were consolidated into the following
resolution, which was adopted without di
! vision.
Resolved, That n special commitic a
! five members be- appointed 10 Investigate
forthwith the extent, causes and cllcc
upon interstate commerce OF the continue,
! failure by the Reading Railroad compan,
, 10 transport such commerce, and to rcpor
10 the House, by bill or otherwise, for con
sidcration at any time, such legislation a
IL necessary 10 secure 10 the public th
regular and complete execution by rail
! road company Of its obligations to serve a
} common carrier Of interstate commerce
and 10 investigate the differences cxistin
In the lehigh and schuylkill region q
] Pennsylvania between the corporation
mining coal and the miners; and, further
10 investigate all facts relating 10 minin
! corporations and individual miners Of nm
! ihmcite coal In connection herewith, am
| report tho same 10 the House with sucI
recommendations a. the committee ma
agree upon.