Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-05
Mr.. McGANN'S RESOLUTION
Locking to tho Investigation Of Judge
Perkins
For HIS Action In Regard - the
Strikers ON the Northern
PacS0O Railroad.

The resolution which Representative Nc
Gam. chairman Of the labor committee OF
the House, tried to secure consideration for
this morning has been printed. The resolu-
ton itself is short, but the preamble is OF
unusual length. 1t recites, first, that all
employees. when employed by private or
upon public works, when not held in actual
slavery, have the right to sever their con-
nection without reference to the effect upon
the work. The act Of June %. 1886. Is cited
as making labor combinations lawful. One
long paragraph is devoted to explaining the
rights Of employees and the hours OF labor.
1t is asserted that the Northern Pacinc
adopted scale of wages satisfactory TO It's
1900 employees but when placed In the
hands of receivers the latter, acting under
direction of the United States circuit court.
Judge Jenkins presiding, annulled previous
contracts and put in force a lower scale OF
wagUs And, with the aid Of the court, In
star chamber proceeding TO carry ehe
same into effect and to make them per-
petual sought to effect this reduction by
obtaining an order from said court restrain
ing said employees from exercising their
rights Of consulting and advising with each
other or with other persons In regard 10
such Unjust reduction Of their wages"
1t is asserted that the injunction Is IN
tended to prevent the employees from en-
gaging in a strike; that 1t invades the
rights of freemen; that the injunction does
not assume that a strike was threatened;
that the Injunction threatens persons with
punishment in case they advise or even ep-
prove a cessation of work with the corpora
ton: And wrongfully puts them In terror
of judicial process, and this. too, despite the
further recognition of the right OF labor In
organization or otherwise. when employed
on railways engaged in interstate COM
lfaS w l.
way corporation, assert their rights and act
upon them which is contained in the pro-
visions of the law of Congress commonly
termed the arbitration act"
1t is therefore Resolved, That the COM
mittee on the judiciary Of the House be-
and is hereby, directed to make speedy IL
vestigation into all the matters and things
herein alleged and to report to this House
whether or not the Hon. J. G. Jenkins.
Judge of the United States circuit court for
the seventh circuit. has therein abused the
powers Of process Of said court, or oppress-
lively exercised the same. or has used his
Office as such judge to intimidate or re-
strain the employees Of the Northern
Pacific railroad, or the officers of the labor
organizations to which said employees. or
any Of them, were affiliated, In the exercise
of their rights and privileges under the laws
of the United States; and II the committee
shall find that said Judge has abused the
process of said court as alleged or Cypress
lively exercised the powers of his office as
Judge or said court To the INJURY OF the
employees Of said railroad and others, then
to report whether such acts and doings OF
said judge, in the opinion of said commit
tee, warrant the presentment Of articles OF
Impeachment therefor; and to further re-
port what action. IL any. should be taken
by Congress to prevent a recurrence of the
conditions now laid by said order and in
junction upon railway employees on the said
Northern Pacific road, those engaged upon
other roads, officers and members of labor
EXAMINATIONS thrOnQbOuf the and
all persons generally"
When unanimous consent was refused for
the consideration Of the resolution 1t was
referred to the judiciary committee. Mr.
Mccain says he will endeavor to have that
committee report back the resolution at
once; He would have secured immediate
consideration of the resolution today had it
not been for the objection Of Mr.. Outh-
waite. The latter explained later to Mr.
Mccain that the attendance in the House
was too small for the consideration of such
an important subject.
There is little doubt of a favorable report
on it, with a provision that a subcommittee
OF the judiciary committee be authorized to
prosecute the investigation and to send for
persons and papers