New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-22
CONGRESS- AND W0RKINGMEM.
SPEAKER REED HAS AN INTERESTING
TALK WITH A LABOR
[Br rrLEoRAYH TO THE TRrBuHH.1


Washington, April n.-As soon a. tho House OF
Representatives had adjourned to-day Speaker Aeed
received large deputaton representing tho Eco
Grafton Of Labor. and listened attentivey TO the
statements made by their spokesman IN oenait Oh
organized labor. These statements were temperate
IN tone and as to substance considerable In the
main. President Gompers and his ASSOCIATES
seemed clearly to realize that legislation Tor the
benefit OF labor must be careful and well consid-
cred In order TO be effective. and that neither the
time nor mode could now be prescribed All they
desired that the subject should be considered
In due season and dealt with In a spirit Of fairness
and Justice.
Mr.. Reeds reply was brief. but SO lucid and 80
directly responsive to their statements mat the
labor representatives understood II ruby ana
clearly. and they afterward expressed their salts
faction and qualification. 1t was clearly evident
that the Speakers candor and directness had made
a deep and favorable impression on them.
The delegation called request action by the
Speaker and the House matters In whicn the
Federation is interested. They presented memo
rial asking the appointment OF Representative
Gardner OF New-Jersey. TO the Committee on La
Dor, and also suggested amendments to the eight
hour law. The speechmaking on the part OF the
Federation done by Mr.. Gompers and r. j. NC
CURE Mr.. Gompers said that there was great dis
tress throughout the country and many men were
UNEMPLOYED, and expressed hope that Congress
would do all in its power to alleviate the distress.
He remarked that there had not been as much
legislation In the interest OF labor by the last con-
gress as the aboring men wished They ala not
want TO be put in the light OF making demands on
Congress; they merely desired to express their
wishes They regretted that the eight-hour law
was not more strictly enforced in Its application
to Government work. They desired 1t to be unoer-
stood, however, that they were antagohisuc 10
revolutionary leaders. and believed In lawful ana
orderly agitation. and in the Improvement OIL e"is'
ing conditions by legislation.
aJ in rerly
the moderate and reasonable attitude OF the labor
ing men. The labor Organization. he said. was
necessary concomant Of tho factory system. Whiie
in the old days laborers had been individually m
dependent the growth Of the factory system nad
forced them to organzs for the tS 81
their rights and interests He believed .nai nr
beneficial to humanity were coming from those or
CARNATIONS. While reforms of the class they SPOKE
Of moved Slowly they dq m0o oe the law
than it had been ten years ago He couid rerne men,
Der when bo every Pnbc seneh had much to do
with the enforcement OF the gnnisa conditions
were continually improving. ~, s,ooLor
Referring to Congressional action. the speaker
and he was certain all would agree that the first
thing to be done by Congress now was 10 aarios We
sbs o asesop a on hoped ehe the dsesaon
influence to mould public sentiment 70 ASK no obs hs
tained. It was not thought best for the House to
deal with other matters un s acoS takea here
might compcate and delay action on the 'Alin'
which all cOncede 10 De
The tariff question once disposed Of. there would
be opportunity for consideration OF the otntr IN
terests asking legislation. AS TO the special reluesL
for the appointment OF Mr.. Gardner, n pear
said that would be taken under conslu.lu i H. a.
ali requests for committee assignments WEI =
In RESPONSE 10 the complaint that the last In,
gress had not done enough for labor MI heea satd
that remonstranCes had been received py MIN as
sertine that Congress had been too much un1er
the domination OF the Federation Of Labor. This
fact would show that there were conflicting ideas
IN the country In conclusion. Mr.. Reed expressed
approval OF the policy adopted by the Federauon.
A continual and constant pressure WITHIN tne .L law
violent methods he said. Violence always prought
n reaction and the reforms sought were likely 10
be lost in the turmoil OF the outbreak