Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-09-20
ENGINEER TALKS.
HE ANSWERS A FEW QUESTIONS SUB
MITTED BY VOORHEES,.

Shows His Loss of Wages Under q Demo-
cratic ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS One
of the Curses Of the American Laboring
Man-Advice to Congress.
To the Hon. D.. w. Voorhees,, Chairman
Finance COMMITTEES United States
Senate, Washington:
DEAR SIR-Your circular letter of in
quiry at hand and contents noted. In
reply will say:
First-The Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers.
Second am not in possession Of any
means whereby / could inform you C
ployed in the various industries in my
district.
Third-The wool industry is one of
the most permanent here. The wages
of labor have been reduced "a per cent
and employment reduced about one
third. As to my own vocation l would
give you a few samples for comparisons:
l had steady employment since 1888
until March, 1898, when | had to 60
On what in railroad phrase is called
1.-The extra list" In March, 1898, !
earned $63; in April, SAL; May, $S3. so;
June, $54; July, SIS. 60; August, SIC;
September, $47. 10; October, u most
prosperous month, Sill. 90; November,
$1O6; December, $S7. In 1892 l earned
for the same time as given in 1898 as
follows: March, 1892, $Io5: April,
$YS. and was Oh leave six days; May,
$1I3; June, Slab; July. $I39; Au-
gust, $3.50; September, $50, and Oh
leave Is days; October, $l49; Novem-
Der, $I63; December, $l4+. so. So far
in 1894 l averaged about $40 per month.
Fourth-My industry from a work
ingman's standpoint is at present III q
depressed condition.
Fifth-The expenditures of the fami-
lies of workingmen have been lessened
by reason of a reduction of q and
lack of work during the past IL months.
SIXTH had been working full time
of 26 days per month if l so desired.
Seventh-A reduction of import du-
ties, in my opinion, would cause more
idleness.
Eighth-It is also a peculiar question
for me to answer as to the best methods
of placing the industries upon a pros
porous basis because / never was edu-
Gated to make a good statesman. But it
seems that such men as you and the rest
Of congress should be able to fathom
these questions out and act honestly and
not lay back in your seats and watch an
honest man giving his honest views for
no other purpose than for you to mis-
construe them and make political CAPT.
tai ont of them and feed them to iRno-
rant foreigners Tor your r~e-elecUlon. Inls
is not mainly for your benefit, but for
all senator's and representatives.
Standardization is one Of the
curses to the American laboring man.
I look at it as a living disgrace on all
American statesmen for STOPPING SO low
as to aid the bidding of foreign steam
ship companies for the mere pittance of
a free pass over the ocean or to be SO
cowardly as to be afraid to lose a few
ignorant foreign votes.
If we had a few more men like the
Hon. w. L. Chandler, we could expect
some wholesome laws on that subject.
Have you got the manhood to cooper
ate with such men and take q stand On
that subject?
1t seems to be the general opinion Of
every one in my district hat if congress
would adjourn and its members go home
business would revive and confidence
would come again.
This is all l can enlighten you, and
hoping it will be of some benefit to you
I am. yours respectfully,
J. w. REEDY,
Engineer U. p. Railway.