The Yellowstone journal., 1894-08-15
AN ENGINEER TALKS.
HE ANSWERS AFEW QUESTIONS SUB
MITTED By VOORHEES,.
Shows His Loss Of Wages Under . Demo-
cratic Administration-Imm One
of the Curses Of the American Laboring
Man-Advice to Congress.

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 SR-Your circular letter of in.
quirv 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 ac-
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 l would
give you few samples for comparison:
had steady employment since 1888
until March, 1898, when had to 60
on what in railroad phrase is called
1.-THE extra list. " In March, 1898,
earned $63; in April, Sal; May, $33. so;
June, $54; July, $1s.6 so; August, SIC;
September, $47. 10; October, ouD most
prosperous month, $1ll.60; November,
&106; December, $s7. In 1892 / earned
follows: March, 1892, $l05; April,
&93, and was on leave six days; May,
s113; June, $l43; July, e1S9; Au-
gust, $3.50; September, $50, and on
leave 15 days; October, &l49; Novem-
Der, $I63; December, $l44. so. So far
in 1894 Iaveraged about $40 per month
Fourth-My industry from q work
ingman's standpoint is at present in q
depressed condition.
Fifth-The expenditures of the fami-
lies of workingmen have been lessened
by reason of a reduction of wages and
lack of work during the past l2 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 pros
| porous basis because / never was edu-
Gated to make good statesman. But 1t
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 CAPT
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
Ninth-Immigrati is one Of the
curses to the American laboring man.
look at it as living disgrace ON al
American statesmen for STOPPING SO low
as to aid the bidding of foreign steam
ship companies for the mere pittance o'
free pass over the ocean or to be 81
cowardly as to be afraid to lose few
ignorant foreign votes
II we had a few more men like thu
Hon. w. E. Chandler, we could expec
some wholesome laws on that subject
Have you got the manhood to cooper
ate with such men and take q stand oi
that subject?
1t seems to be the general opinion o
every one in my district that If congres
would adjourn and its members go hom
business would revive and confidenc
would come again.
This is all l can enlighten You, an
hoping it will be of some benefit to yo'
am. yours respectfully.
j. w. RKEDY,
Engineer u. p. Railway.