The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-19
LABOR INVESTIGATION.
Inquiry Concerning Convict WORK
and Effects of Machinery.

WASHINGTON, June 1S.-An effort to
compile statistics regarding convict labor
I'm the United States has been instituted Dy
the House committee on labor as a pre-
liminary to drawing a bill TO prevent CON-
petition between prison goods and the
products of free labor. No accurate infor-
nation upon this subject, so far as the
United States is concerned, is to be found
later than report of the Commissioners OF
Labor. made in 1885, Great changes have
taken place in the past eight years, so that
the figures OF 1856 cannot be relied upon as
applying to the present situation. BY con-
yict labor goods can be manufactured so
much cheaper than under other circum-
stances that it is said they drive the goods
OF free labor out of the fieid and throw
workingmen out IF employment when put
on the market in competition. A notable
instance of this has been furnished by the
Matchmaking trade. A representative OF the
Brooklyn Mat-makers Union who recently
addressed the committee on the subject
pointed out that the doormats used in the
Capitol were made IN a Pennsylvania peni-
tentiary The committee has requested that
the Commissioner of Labor investigate the
subject Letters have been addressed also
TO the officials OF the States ana Terri
TO be inquired into are; The number OF
convicts employed. the class OF work in
which they are engaged, the channels
through which their goods are placed on
the market and the prices at which sold.
The results OF convict cheap labor was
used as an argument 20 refute the scheme
OF Mr. Swift. of the Fitzgerald industrial
army, for government factories for the un-
employed.
Another interesting line of inquiry set on
foot by Chairman McGann, OF the commit
tee, through the labor commissioner, con-
Germs the results OF machinery upon labor
and production. Mr.. McGann believes that
this country is suffering from overproduc-
ton largely caused by the introduction or
labor-saYing machinery. which displaces
workmen while IL increases the output
The typesetting machines which do the
work each OF three men he considers
good example OF the tendency. When they
are introduced in printing office two
thirds of the men are displaced, the latter
then drift into other Offices, find IL diff
cult to secure work, are willing TO work
eheaply for the sake Of living and reduce
the general rates OF wages. Another ex-
ample of the same character ne nnds In
the history OF labor-saving machinery IN
brickmaking- The remedy for this he finds
in fewer hours or labor, arguing that sys-
tenn of fewer hours will give employment 10
more hands and at the same time increase
consumption in proportion. perhaps, TO the
production. When the days work Is
shortened" says Mr.. McGann, 1.-The laborer
goes home with a long evening on his hands.
He must have another suit OF clothes 20
put on, another pair OF boots, another hat.
must have books and papers 20 read or he
must so for walk, taks his wife and buy
thus Increasing the CONSUMPTION OF prod
ucts." The mmissioDer/ OF Labor II col-
lecting statistics upon the effect OF ma
chinery on prices. labor and production y