The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-01-07
The Pennsylvania Representative Of
fers TO Contribute a Quarter Of q
Million as Expenses
FOR A LABOR COMMISSION
1t Would Be Composed of TWenty-one
Members and Its Powers Would
Be Extended.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7.-Representa-
tive Phillips of Pennsylvania has ex-
pressed q Willingness to pay quarter
OF million dollars out Of his own
pocket to meet the expense of the labor
commission in accordance with the
terms of bill he has presented. This
pledge OF earnestness has drawn such
favorable attention to the merits Of
Mr.. Phillips bin that Chairman Me-
Gam of the labor committee has APP
pointed special subcommittee with
Representative Erdman of Pennsylva-
mia at1its head to consider the measure.
The attention of Labor Commissioner
Wright has also been directed to it,
together with Mr.. Phillips assurance
of protecting the government against
the expense Of the commission. As O.
result, the bill for national arbitration
of labor difficulties is for the time being
in allegiance, while the merits Of the,
Phillips bill are being considered. MIR.
Phillips is one of the wealthiest men
in congress, and while his suggestion
has been modestly made. there is no
doubt Of his willingness and ability TO
execute it.
The Plan of Mr. PhlIips.
The plan of the labor commission Id
the result of much careful study Mr..
Phillips has given the subject. His
idea is that the country is not yet ready
for law on the many industrial issues,
as the best form or remedy is not yet
apparent. He therefore proposes in his
bill that commission of experts shall
consider the many plans OF reform pro-
posed; sitting the good from the bad,
and ascertaining the most feasible leg
islation to be recommended to congress.
The commission is to be non-partisan
and is TO consider legislation TO meet
the problems of
Labor. Agriculture and Capital.
The bill authorizes the appointment
by the president of five commissioners
representing labor. five representatives
of agriculture and five business. Each
group of five is to choose two more
members, making seven in each group
and 81 in all. The commission is to
meet in Washington, elect its officers
and each group is to have the services
of o lawer and secretary. The bill pro-
vides that lit shall be the duty of this
commission to investigate questions
pertaining to immigration, to labor, to
agriculture, and to business. and recon-
mend TO congress such legislation as it
may deem best upon these subjects. It
shall furnish such information and
suggest such laws as may be made the
basis for uniform legislation by the va
rious states i'm order to
Harmonize Conflicting Interests,
and to be equitable to the laborer, the
employer. .-the producer and tine con-
sumner. The commission shall receive
petitions and grant reasonable time for
hearings ON subjects pertaining to its
duties, and, il deemed necessary. it
shall appoint q sub-commission or COM
missioners to make Investigations in
any part OF the United States, aud it
shall be allowed expenses for the same.
The Ofgsr OF Philiips.
expenses of the large number of
commissioners, clerks, stenoRraphers.
lawyers. etc. proposed by the bill, has
raised asqnestion against the bill. and
has bronght out Mr.. Phillips olfer TO
protect the governments tabtne extent
OF $3.50, 600 out of his own pocket,
against the expenses Of the officers and
employees of the committee. The spe.
cial commission having the bill in
charge expect to consider the bill and
perhaps grant hearings ON it at an
early day.