Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-29
LAB0R'S TARIFF LAW.
Immigrant Inspector Layton Says 1t
Is Full of Serious Defects.
THE ALIEN CONTRACT BILL
Fails to Keep Out the Paupsr Workers Of
European Countries
HOW LABOR DAY is TO BE CELEBRATED

Every branch Of organized labor was
of the Trades Assembly Of
Western Pennsylvania last night The
object of the open meeting was to discuss
Labor Day and Its Proper Observance. !"
While this was carried out to q great ex-
tent, 1t was not the only topic of discussion.
Immigrant Inspector Robert Layton was
present and he made quite lengthy talk on
the present alien contract labor laws He
showed where they were defective and ad-
vised that labor conference Of the labor
ing people of Western Pennsylvania be
called in July and thst the Congressman of
Western Pennsylvania be asked to be
present AT this conference the Congress
men could be shown what is needed in the
way of laws.
Don't FIJI the Requirements.
Mr.. Layton read the alien contract law
enacted 1885, and all the amendments since
added to 1t. As he went along
he picked out flaws and showed the
Effectiveness of the measure 'To
the casual reader" he said, ''these
enactments would seem to be drawn for the
have been passed and amended as time re-
quired, but the requirements of the labor
ing man have never been filled. The alien
contract law in its present form cannot be
enforced. Now, since it is impossible to
enforce, what should be the tariff
of the workingman then the laboring men
should advocate free trade. If this be
treason against. the administration cannot
help it, for it is my honest convictions
"a protection that but half protects us
must get out of the way. A full protection
is the only thing we want; Protection for
a manufacturers goods and world for free
labor is discrimination. If one is desir-
able SO is the other.
Labor Votes for the Tariff.
''Did laboring man ever seek any legal
rights he was not willing to give to others?
When the manufacturer prayed for tariff,
it was the lsboring man who stood at the
polls and directed their candidates to vote
for protection.
Labor now has its other eye open and says
1t will take some of that protection-that
protection which builds summer cottages
and winter palaces and that protection that
takes the manufacturers family abroad and
educates his daughters The laboring man
now SAYS with that same protection I
might own nv own little home and yearly
spend a week or two in the country with
my family.
IA tariff on any article Is put there to
enable the manufacturer to compete with
European dealers The most prominent
argument that is brought up is that Ameri-
can labor will not work for the same wages
as the wage earners of Europe. Then comes
the fight between capital and labor. A tariff
has afforded possibility to hope for
higher wages, which will never come They
never come because the foodgates between
America and foreign countries are always
open to admit the masses. You will always
lose until you demand better laws govern
ing alien contract labor.
"Some years ago the telegraph operators
from one end of the country to the other de-
manded almost simultaneously that they be
paid higher wages Yet Jay Gould and the
Western Union are doing business at the
old stand. In two weeks every Office was
running the samesas ever. The management
simply got help elsewhere. Capital was
able to do the business then and it has been
ever since
Always the Same Result
'It Will always be so, until the laws are
made to contain better safeguards for the
American workingmen's protection.
Mr.. Layton then recalled the case of the
leTId SOLtd OOulpduy, Which, was
UP in the United States courts q few
days ago. He read the letter
that had been written, and showed how the
law had been evaded. simply wording the
letter in certain way. He said that he
never saw tighter contract than the letter
made, yet under the present laws it was
able to slip through.
The discussion of Labor Day was taken
up after MI. Layton finished his speech. A
resolution was read asking that Labor Day
be celebrated by demonstration in Schen-
lev Park in the afternoon and evening.
President Smith, of the Flint Glass Work
ers; Assistant President Garland, Secretary
Madden and Vice President Dough-
erty, of the Amalgamated Association,
Joseph Evans, /. n. Ross, William Ward
and Mr.. Hayes spoke on the question. They
all favored some general movement on the
part of Pittsburg labor in celebrating the
day.