The Washington times., 1894-07-12
TOINYESTIGATE THE STRIKE
Committee on Interstate Commerce
Votes to Report Resolution.
SENATE WITH THE PRESIDENT
Knights Of Labor Actively at Work I'm.
deavoring to Secure Arbitration Under
the Law of 1888 Empowering the Presi-
dent to Act-0ther Work Done Yesterday.

The great strike was a matter of deep inter-
est at the Capitol yesterday. In the Senate
wing it found expression in the adoption of
the Daniel resolution vindicating the course
OF the President. At the House end. although
1t did not result in debate. ii did result in a
vote by the Committee on Interstate and For
eign Commerce to report favorably to the
House resolution to investigate the strike,
which was as follows:
Whereas the Constitution of the United
States gives TO the Congress OF the United
States alone the power to regulate commerce
among the general states; and
Whereas SAID commerce has been and is
now interfered with and interrupted without
the authority of Congress- therefore be it
Resolved, That the Committee on Interstate
and Foreign Commerce be and Is hereby di-
reeted to investigate said interference and in
terruption and the causes thereof and inquire
as to what additional legislation il any is neees-
sary to prevent recurrence thereof Said COM
mittee shall have the power to delegate
subcommittee from its members to visit the
places where such interferences and interrupt
tions have occurred, il in its judgment the
same be necessary. 1t may send for persons
and papers, examine witnesses under oath,
employ stenographers, sit during the recess
OF Congress- and do all things necessary to
ascertain the facts connected with the subject
OF inquiry. 1t shall report to the House al as
early day as practicable the result of IFS in
vestigations, and shall make such recon-
mendations as 1t may deem proper.
''Be it further resolved, That the expenses Of
this Investigation be paid out Of the contin-
gent fund of the House on the certificate Of
the chairman of the committee"
Ii IS understood that Messrs. Bartlett, of
New York, and Patterson, of TeLn were
opposed 10 an immediate report. An arrange
ment was arrived at with the Iiules Commit
tee whereby the resolution will come up for
debate on Saturday, when it is likely to pro-
woke some very sharp discussion.
Senator Daniels resolution indorsing the
President Afforded an opportunity for lively
debate in The Senate, but the discussion was
not as sharp as or Tuesday.
Senator Daniel in taking it up. added an
amendment declaring the belief OF the Senate
in the principle OF arbitration. He stated it
had received the sanction of number OF
Senators Of both parties. Senator GalIinger
congratulated Senator Daniel on the amend
ment, and stated that while he had not been
opposed to the resolution before ne wanted
to see If the amenement in this direction
would not improve it. Several Senators then
expressed the belief that the amendment
weakened the force OF the resolution and
might be misconstrued. Senator Daniel offered
TO cut down his resolution to the first and
last clauses, emitting the arbitration clause.
In this form the resolution was finally passed.,
eleven Senators voting 70 keep the arbitration
clause in. This terminated the discussion
and the resolution was adopted.
The labor leaders. Secretary Hayes and
Messrs. Mcguire and French of the executive
board of the Knights of Labor, were a. the
Capitol yesterday consulting with Senators
and Congressman. Mr.. Hayes said the seat
of war had been transferred from Chicago to
Washington. Other labor leaders will prob
ably rally here, President Debs among the
number.
The special object of the Knights was to
work for arbitration and strike investigation
in such ways as might be attained. An at
tempt was made to get the Judiciary Com
mittee of the House to take favorable action
on Senator Georges arbitration resolution,
but it was not learned that any progress had
been made in this matter at the close of the
day although something is accomplished by
the Interstate Commerce Committees resolu-
tons
The Knights claim that the President is en-
powered under the law OF 1855. providing for
arbitration of railway difficulties in certain
cases. TO declare the present strike case
coming under the law. and order an arbitra-
ton. The law was passed at the instigation
of the Knights of Labor, and is believed 20
peculiarly fit the present exigency. 1t re,
quires special commission of arbitration in
each case.