The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-01-09
CONGRESSMAN PHILLIPS BILL AT.
TRACING FAVORABLE At
TENTION.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 5.-Repre-.
sentative Phillips, of Pennsylvania has ex-
pressed a Willingness to pay quarter Of
million of dollars out of his own pocket
to meet the expenses of the labor COM
mission in accordance with the terms of
bin he has presented. This pledge of earn
eStneSS has drawn such favorable at
tention to the merits of Mr.. Phillips bill
that Chairman McGann of the labor COM
mttee, has appointed a special sub-com-
mttee, with Representative Erlman, of
Pennsylvania, at its head, to consider the
measure The attention of Labor Commits
sioner Wright has also been directed to it,
together with Mr.. Phillips assurance of
protecting the government against the ex-
pense of the commission. AS a result the
bill for national arbitration of labor diff
culties is for the time being in allowance
while the merits of the Phillips bill are be-
ing considered.
Mr.. Phillips is Of the welthiest men
in congress, and. while his suggestion has
been modestly made, there is doubt of
his willingness and ability to execute it.
The plan of labor commission is the re-
suit 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 proposed, sitting the good from the
lslttion to be recommended to congress-
The commission Is to be partisan and
is to consider legislation to meet the prob
lens of labor, agriculture and capital
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL
The bill authorizes the appointment by
the president Of five commissioners repre-
Senting labor, five representatives of agri-
culture and five business. Each group of
| five is to choose two more members maxi
ing seven IN each group and q in all. The
commission is to meet in Washington elect
its officers and each group is to have the
services Of q lawyer and secretary. The
bill provides that lit shall be the duty of
this commission to investigate questions
pertaining ia immigration, to labor to agri-
culture, and to business, and recommend 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 legisIa-
ton by the various states in order to har-
monte conflicting interests, and to be
equitable to the laborer, the employer, the
producer, and the consumer The commits
sion shall receive petitions and grant rea-
sonable time for hearings on subjects per-
tanning to Its duties, and, if deemed neces-
sary, it shall appoint sub-commisson or
commissions to make investigations in any
part of the United States and it shall be al
lowed expenses for the same.
The expense Of the large number Of COM
missioners, clerks, stenogra piers LAWYERS
etc, proposed by the bill, has raised a uues-
ton against the bill and has brought out
Mr.. Phillips offer to protect the govern
ment to the extent Of $25OOO0 out of his
own pocket, against the expenses of the
officers and employees Of the commission
The special committee having the bill in
| charge expect to consider the bill and per-
F! haps grant hearings on 1t at an early day
HE DID NOT SAY 1T.
Representative Phillips was seen this
evening concerning the offer which he was
| said to have made to contribute $2,00OO to-
ward the cost to the government of carrying
| out the provisions of his bill. Mr. Phillips
says that he was misunderstood about the
matter. He said:
Il did not make this statement as reported
| to the bill the expense of the commission
was mentioned. Then / alluded to the great
cost attending the recent coal and coke
strike, and the more recent railroad strikes
not only the loss Of property and many
millions OF dollars in money, but also the
loss Of life, and stating the cost Of the bill
should not be considered that in fact, If
were able I would be willing to pay the
salaries of the commission proposed, which
would amount to $4,000, or, in round num-
bers, a quarter of million dollars and that
l would be willing to pay such sum pro-
vided the commission proposed would be
Industrial problem, which is pressing for so
luton in Europe as we'll in America. II
a commission such as is proposed should