The morning call., 1894-05-10
GIVEN A HEARING.
Coxey May Vet Win His
Battle.
CONGRESS LENDS AN EAR.
1t Will Favor Joint Inyesti-
CATION.
CONGRESS LENDS AN EAR.
MAY BE A MINORITY REPORT.
Nevertheless the Cause of the COM
m0nweaI Looks More Favorable
at the Present Moment.

WASHINGTON, May 9.-Coxey appeared
before the House Committee on Labor to-
day to speak On Representative McGann's
resolution for the appointment of a joint
committee to investigate the causes Of the
prevailing industrial depression. He pre-
sented a petition from the Commonweal
Army that he and Browne should be per-
mitted to address the committee in behalf
of the Coxey bill for the construction Of
good roads and the issue of non-interest-
bearing bonds.
There are. "ihe said, billions of dol
lars worth of improvements throughout
the country to be made and millions Of
men to make them. There is but one
thing In the way, and that is the want of
money. The passage Of my two bills
would set all men at work"
He asked for 80 per cent Of the people
the same privileges as were enjoyed by the
national bank class, who alone are repre-
sented in Congress.
"Have you any showing to make, any
proofs to offer that you represent 80 per
cent of the psopIe?" asked Ryan 3D. of
New York.
NO." said Coxey; 81 don't claim that"
/. E. Dean, member of the executive
committee of the Farmers Alliance. fol-
lowed with recital Of the depressed con-
diiion of labor.
Representative Dunn of New Jersey
asked Mr.. Dean: do you believe the
American people have reached a stage
where they want threats and coercion used
against their Legislatures by these moving
bodies?"
No" said Mr.. Dean. Threats are not
intended"
"Then," said Mr.. Dunn, "what can be
accomplished by these steps equivalent to
coercion?"
''You have habit in Congress-" said
Mr.. Dean, "of consgning petitions to
pigeon-holes aud was te baskets. The OBJ
iect of Coxey was to present to you peti-
ton that would be heard and seen."
When the committee was about to go
into secret session Mr.. Coxey said: "We
! have thousands of petitions il we only
have chance to present them."
I'VE will give you COMMITTEES" said
Chairman McGann. ito receive them"
Messrs. Coxey. Browne and their friends
then withdrew to let the committee con-
slider the resolutions. With Coxey and
Browne were group of Populists and
Farmers Alliance leaders, including
Marion Butler, president of the National
Farmers Alliance: Chairman Taubeneck
and Secretary Turner of the Peoples
party executive committee; N. T.. Dun
ming. editor of the Populist organ. and
Representatives Pence, Boen and KEN.
After hearing General Coxey the COM
mittee, by vote of to 2. decided to re-
port a resolution for joint investigation
by special committee of the Senate and
House Of the Coxey movement aud the
depressing condition of labor. This de-
cision was baled with satisfaction by
Messrs. Coxey and Browne and by num-
Der of Populist and Farmers Alliance
leaders. including tbs president of the
Alliance aud the chairman and secretary
of the Peoples party. The vote to report
the resolution was:
Ayes-Erdman of Pennsylvania. Wells
of Wisconsin, Ryan OF New York, Talbert
of South Carolina, Democrats; Pence Of
Colorado. Populist; Phillips of Pennsyl-
vania, Kiefer of Minnesota, Republicans.
Nors-Dunn of New Jersey (DemocraD
and Apsiey of Massachusetts.
Chairman McGann says a favorable
report will be made tomorrow, and he
will soon hereafter press for suspension
of the rules and an immediate passage of
the resolution. Mr.. Dunn says there will
be minority report.
Representative Ikert (Democrat) to-day
introduced the following, which was re-
ferred TO the Comm 'ttee on Rules:
WHEREAS, In view Of the fact that American
citizens, however misguided IN the methods
they may employ, are reported as coming 10
Washington In the belief that by so doing they
may be benefited; and whereas. the right Of
petition is a constitutional right that no one
has assalled, therefore,
Resolved, That special committee Of five
representatives, to include the chairman OF the
Committee on Labor and the chairman OF the
Committee on Banking and Currency, be ap-
pointed to hear the requests of the leaders, re-
ceive their petitions aud report as promptly as
possible, with such recommendations as they
may deem proper. either 10 the COMMITTEES on
Labor or the Committee on Banking and Cur
rency.
MAINTAINING A NUISANCE.