Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-01-07
aePREsENrAr,vE PHILLIPS


WASHINGTON, Jan. 6-Representative
Phillips OF Pennsylvania has expressed q
willingness to pay a quarter Of million
dollars out of his own pocket to meet the
expense of a labor commission if congress
will authorize the creation of the commits
sion in compliance with the terms of q
bill he has presented. This pledge OF
earnestness has drawn such favorable at
tention to the merits of Mr.. Phillips bill
that Chairman McGann of the labor COM
mittee has appointed special sub-coin-
mittee with Representative Erdman OF
Pennsylvania at its head, to consider the
measure. The attention of Labor Com
missioner Wright has also been directed
to it, together with Mr.. Phillips as
surance of protecting the government
against the expense of the commission.
As result the bill for national arbitra-
ton of labor difficulties is for the time
being in abeyance while the merits of the
Phillips bill are being considered. Mr..
Phillips is one of the wealthiest men III
congress, and while his suggestion has
been modestly made, there is no doubt OF
his willingness and ability to execute 1t.
The plan of a labor commission is the
result of much careful study he had given
the subject. His idea is that the country
is not yet ready for law on the many in
dustrial issues, as the best form or remedy
is not yet apparent. He therefore proposes
in his bill that q commission of experts
shall consider the many plans of reform
prorosed, sitting the good from the bad,
ana ascertaining the most feasible legisla-
ton to be recommended to congress. The
commission is to be non partisan, and is
to consider legislation to meet the prob
lens of labor, agriculture and capital.
The bill authorizes the appointment by
che president of five commissioners repre-
senting labor five representing agricul-
ture 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 a lawyer and secretary.
The bill provides that, ''it shall be the
duty of this commission to investigate
questions pertaining to immigration, to
labor, to agriculture, and to business, and
recommend to congress such legislation
as it may deem best upon these subjects.
1t shall furnish such Information and sug-
gest such laws as may be made basis for
uniform legislation by the various states
in order to harmonic conflicting interests
and to be equitable to the laborer, the en-
ployer, the producer and the consumer.
The consumer shall receive petitions and
grant reasonable time tor hearings on
subjects pertaining to its duties, and if
deemed necessary. it shall appoint sub
commission or commissions to make in
vestigation in any part of the United
States, and it shall be allowed expenses
for the same"
The expense of the large number OF COM
missioners, clerks, stenographers. lawyers,
etc, proposed by the BILL has raised
question against the bill and has brought
out Mr.. Phillips offer to protect the gov
ernment to the extent of $3.50, 900 out of
his own pocket against the expenses of the
officers and employes of the commission.