Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-17
CAPITOL TOPICS.


The subcommittee of the House committee
| on manufactures today gave hearing to rep
reseUtatives of clothiers in New York in regard
to the so-called sweating system. II. S. Men
dalison OF New York, a wholesale clothier
said he dealt in frst-class clothing
to the amount Of S1.250.000 a year.
all of which was made under contract
to outside parties in New York city
and vicinity. In answer to questions of tine
chairman Mr.. Mendallson said he knew the
addresses OF the persons who contracted for
the work, but he never inquired as to whom il
was sublet. and did not consider it material to
know. He had never occasion 20 inquire into
! the matter. He had never heard in his ex-
perlence as a merchant in New York that the
8 eating system existed. such as described in
tie House resolution, and was confident it did
not IN his business. He did not know be
said, what the sweating system was.
L. vi. HamthalI. also u cioihier OF New York,
agreed with Nh. Mendalison in his statement
relative to contracting for the manufacture of
goods. and said all of his goods were also made
under contract IN New York city and vicinity
Some OF the clothing vas made in the country
districts. but this probably did not amout to
$4,000 year ia his business of 81, SEQ 600. He
too. did not know what the sweating system
was, but this was explained by a member of
the committee. who said il was the subletting of
clothing contracts BY contractors to other
persons, who made the clothing in unhealthful
places and under unhealthful conditions.
A. +. Hochstater. another New York dealer
in clothing, gave testimony similar to that of
the other witnesses and supplemented his
statement by saying that he knew OF no case
| where disease had been spread through this
method OF manufacturing clothing.
Inc average wages paid TO tallors he said,
| was between % and "a day, ana their hours
/ oil labor were about hfty-three a week. No dis
crimlnation was made in the pay OF Americans
and foreigners. Both Glasses received the
same. Tine foreigners employed, however
were decidedly in the majority. An
| swering d question by Mr.. Hoar. witness
said that in his opinion there had been
| no reduction In the cost OF manufacture
| ing clothing by reason of the great in
| hux of foreigners. Further questions put
| to witnesses by members of the commit
J tee revealed the unanimous opinion OF the
I clothiers before them that from IS to 30 per
| cent OF the clothing worn by men and boys in
| this country was ready made. Arthur Beuja-
| min OF New York gave testimony corroDoratiye
OF that given by the other witnesses.
70 INVESTIGATE BOSTON COURTS
| An Investigation will shortly be begun by a
subcommittee OF the House judiciary commit
tee into charges that the clerks offices in Bos-
! ton OF both the district and circuit courts of
/ the money possible out of them and
| that The court officers are engaged in
! fee-makIng practices 1t is charged that exor-
bitant ices are being exaeted and that natarali-
| zailoDs are being proceeded with solely in
| o-der TO increase the emolumeuts OF the offices.
Attorney General Miller yesterday represented
\ to Representative CulberSon, chairman OF the
| House Judiciary committee, the condition of
( affairs alleged to prevail in the Boston courts
| and asked that the matter be Investigated.
| 1 his morning at the meeting OF the commi tee
Chairman Culberson appointed Messrs Woiyer-
ton of Pennsylvania, Layton OF Ohio and
| Broderick of Kansas a subcommittee to make
| the investigatlon.
UNIFORMITY OF LAWS.
Senator Plat today introduced Joint reso-
luton for the appointment OF q commissioner
from the District of Columbia to act with COM
missioners appointed by the several states to
secure unifor NIFTY of the laws OF mar riage and
divorce, insolvency, &c. This course was
| recommended by the American Bar Associa-
| ton.
EXPENSE OF BERIN6 SEA CRUISE.
Acting Secretary Spauiding has sent letter
to the House OF Representatives requesting an
appropriation Of S2o,000 to be Immediately
available 10 pay the expenses of the steamer
Aibatross In CT using in Bering sea and vicinity
for the protection OF the seal islands and the
interests OF the government In Alaska
| TO PENSION Mrs TAYLOR
A bill to pension Amelia A. Taylor, widow O,
Capt Bushrod b Taylor, late of the United
states navy. was today introduced by Senate,
Voorhees,. The rate Of pension stated 10 S5(
per month.
TO REWARD DANIEL ". BOUTWELL,
Ten Thousand dollars Is the amount Senate,
PETER thinks the United States should pay to
Daniel ". Boutwell, ''for extra hazardous ser.
vices rendered the United States army unde,
command of Gen. Pieasanton in the year
1Sof."
REsIGSArIoss.-The Attorney General ha,
received the designations of William Grant
United States attorney for the eastern district
oil louisiana. and George A knight, United
States marshal for the northern districs Of
| Texas.
4 UarI,s yyaFraRr. sreTrI.x HIM Rr~pwv, a.