Little Falls weekly transcript., 1894-07-06
AN ENGINEER TALKS.
HE ANSWERS A FEW QUESTIONS SUB
MITTED BY VOORHEES,.


Shows His Loss of Wages Under q Demo-
cratic Observation-Disclosures One
of the Curses of the American Laboring
Man-Advice to Congress.
TO the Hon. D. w. Voorhees,, Chairman
Finance Committee, 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-I am not in possession Of any
means whereby could inform you &C.
curately as to the number of people en-
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 would
give you few samples for comparison:
had steady employment since 1883
until March, 1898, when had to go
on what in railroad phrase is called
''the extra list. In March, 1898, I
earned $63; in April, $41; May, $685. 80;
June $54; July, $18. 60; August, $16;
September, $47.10; October, our most
prosperous month, $1l1.60; November,
$106; December, $87. In 1892 I earned
for the same time as given in 1898 as
follows: March, 1892, $105; April,
$93, and was on leave six days; May,
$113; June, $143; July, $139; Au-
gust, $3.50; September, $50, and on
leave Is days; October, $149; Novem-
Der, $l63; December, $144. SO. So far
in 1894 Iaveraged about $40 per month.
Fourth-My industry from work
ingman's standpoint is at present in a
depressed condition. Z,
Fifth-The expenditures of the fami-
lies of workngmen have been lessened
by reason of reduction of wages and
lack Of work during the past 10 months.
Sixth-I had been working full time
of 26 days per month if so desired.
Seventh-A reduction Of import du-
ties, in my opinion, would cause more
idleness - >..-.. .:
Eighth-It is also 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 capi-
tai out of them and feed them to igno-
rant foreigners for your reelection. This
is not mainly for your benefit, but for
all senators and representatives. &,
th-Immig is one of the
curses to the American laboring man.
look at it as 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
free pass over the ocean or to be so
cowardly as to be afraid to lose few
ignorant foreign votes.
If we had few more men Like the
| Hon. w. E Chandler, we could expect
some wholesome laws on that subject.
Have you got the manhood to cooper
ate with such men and take stand on
that subject?
Itsseems to be the general opinion Of
every one IN my district that i congress
would adjourn and its members go home
business would revive and confidence
would come again.
This is all I can enlighten you, and
Looping il will be Of some benefit to yon
/ am yours respectfully,
]. w. REEDY,
| Engineer q. r. Railway.