The morning call., 1892-06-16
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
Fourth Day of the Inquiry Before
Commissioner Waits.
The Investigation Confined to the Side of
Labor Only Testimony by Miss Johnson
and Messrs. 0'Hara and Guilfoyle.

Yesterdays investigation into the relation
OF capital to labor. before Labor Commits
sioner Waits, was confined to matters per-
tanning to the boot and shoe trade, taken up
the previous day. The session was held in
the rooms of the State Board of Horticul-
ture, 220 Suffer street The witnesses were
confined to the side of labor.
,. Nickelsburg, of the Manufacturers As
ISOLATION, represented that body, and NJ.
MeGIynn Of theFederated Trades conducted
the investigation for the opposite side.
j. Z. OHara, of the Sh0emakers' League
was the first witness sworn. In answer to
questions by Mr.. McGlynn. he stated that
he had been in the city four years, and was
in the employ of P. f. Nolan He thought
Eastern wages in his trade compared favor
ably with those of California. Previous to
Els coming here he had W0r ked in several
New \ ork cities. The league had always
tried to suppress Chinese labor. An agIa-
ton had been made here against the impOr-
tatIon OF Eastern-made shoes. The wages
at Nolan'6 had varied but little during the
past four years. The witness did not con-
slider as arbitrary the rules of the league,
either here or in New York State.
Cross-examined by Mr.. NickelSburg Mr..
OHara stated that he worked in New York
city IN 1870 and 1871, afterWard in ST. Louis,
Philadelphia and New Jersey. Wages in
the East were about the same as four years
ago. Witness considered the work turned
out by Nolan fully equal to any of Eastern
make. He defined what he considered the
difference between the powers of the
knights Of Labor and those Of the FEEDER
ated Trades. He knew nothing of the Chi
nese agitation except by hearsay. and stated
that the league never b0yeotted Eastern
goods.
j. j. GuilfOyle, delegate from the Shoe
mn argg
next sworn, and testified that he had been
member OF the former organization for
seven years. lie Joined the league at the
request of the WOrkingmen's Cooperative
shoe factory The manufacturers gave no
financial support TO the agitation against
Chinese and Eastern made shoes, and had
posted notices refusing employment to
league members. An order was issued boy
cOtting certain firms which still refuse to
employ members of the league. Witness
knew OF two league hen who were dis
charged.
CrOss-examined by Mr.. Nickelsburg, wilt
ness stated that he was born in this city 70
years ago and had been absent for six years.
He had worked Ia the factory OF the United
WOrkmen since August, 1888. He joined
the league in 1885 or 1885, Was not an
active member. Had not worked at his
trade since August last. having been black
listed by the Boot and Shoe Manufacturers
Association.
A long discussion ensued as to what con-
stitutes blaeklistinG and in relation to the
respective rights of employers aud work
men.
Witness. continuing, said that he was en-
plOyed in running a counter machine. When
he went 10 work he earned "a 80 per week
for year, which was increased to So % per
day after four years service. There were
three men in the factory who received higher
wages.
Then followed q lengthy discussion as to
the right Of manufacturers to employ a FORE
man, after which the witness replied to sew
eral questions as TO the shOemakeTs' strike
and lockout at Buckingham IL Hecht's and
other factories.
Miss Maggie johnson, president of the
WOmen's ShoeftteTs' Union, was the next
witness. She testified that she was en-
ployed by T. F. Nolan and that her union
was organized to protect its members
against continual reductions in wages. The
union had been engaged in several strikes
from the above cause. The average wages