The morning call., 1892-07-12
LABOR INVESTIGATION.
Arguments on the Admissibili!y
of Certain Testimony.
Great Deal Of Talk and but Little Evil
dsnce Heard-Investigation Adjourned
to the Call of the Commissioner.

The sixteenth day of the labor inyestipa.
tion was reached yesterday, when the in
curry into the troubles of The Sailors Union
ana the shipping employees was resumed.
IL WAS stated that Attorney Heller. the
young lawyer, who has been so constant in
MS attendance as member of the En-
ployerS' Association, had left for Arizona
and could not be present.
Inc meeting opened when E. NJ. Herrjck
arrived. He addressed the Commissioners
and objected 10 the Introduction of any
irrelevant or extraneous evidence. He nm
derstood that the appropriation TO paw Tho
expenses of the investigation was limited.
and, therefore, the testimony should be
strictly confined to the differences between
employer and emplOye generally. He OH
1ected to individual cases and grievances
being cited or introduced
NJ, MeGiynn replied and expressed his
surprise at MIR. Herrick's remarks and OH
Jectlons, but he could see that it was directed
against the testimony relating to boarding
mousse Keepers and masters. He insisted on
MS right 20 conduct the investigation ON
the lines hitherto adopted. He proposed 10
prove that sea captains were formerly in
terested financially in these boarding
houses.
After considerable argument between
HeTrick and NeGlynn the Commissioner
might be made on both sides SO as to save
the introduction of testimony.
No agreement could be reached, and
Furuseth and Oscar Lewis spoke for and
against the Introduction of testimony. Me-
Glynn offered to close the investigation az
the end Of the sailors differences, or right
there, II the Commissioner would strike ens
all testimony as to the sailors Furuseih
objected to this as too late after HerricS
had offered to accept McGlynn's offer tn
= r.ad
Herrick then said he could not stay
longer as the argument had taken the per
sonal turn it had. He would be glad to
terminate the whole inquiry there and then,
anu after some discussion as to whether the
testimony would be admitted leIl the room.
Secretary Williams objected then that to
proceed with ths investigation would be
dangerous in the face of the statement
made by Furuseth that the boarding-h house
keepers were IN league with the shiD-oWne
10 down the union and revive the old cOgdi-
ton OF affdirs, which he designated as b.
Ing untrue. To proceed further would be
to cause strife. A long argument then fol-
lowed, and finally the Commissioner allowed
the testimony to Do taken.
Thomas Abbott was the first witness
called, and testified S9iat he is a saloon
Keeper, and was formerly boarding house
master. de deposed that he paid both cap
talns and owners both directly and indi-
rectly Tor the privilege Of shipping men
james Carr, clearinghouse master.
gave similar testimony and thought that the
old system would come into force if the nav
shipping office We're abolished &. j. Ber-
endes also testified in the same strain
The witnesses were not cross-examined.
Then Furuseth took the stand and
testified as to the introduction of thr
rule abolishing the. rotary system OF
engaging UNEMPLOYED men. and handed
Journal as official evidence of the passing
of the rule. Charles Christophersen showed
that the number of crews had been cut dow
considerably during the past six years, rem
dering the work OF the sailors harder and
more dangerous.
After some discussion as to whether the
printing trade should ne brought us. so as
to permit of the Abend Post difIicuttiesN H.,
the Typographical Union being gone intn.
the meeting adjourned to the call or the
Commissioners.