Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-02-04
ORDER ADOPTED.
To Investigate the Labor Trou-
bles Among the Weavers,
The Committee on Labor to Have Sole
Charge of the Matter Senator
Georges Bill FavorabIy Reported.
Special Dispatch to the spy

an investigation into the labor troubles
in the textile manufacturing cities of
the commonwealth, was adopted by the
house this afternoon without division,
and after brief discussion. There was
an attempt to have the investigation
conducted by the committee on manu-
features sitting jointly with the commit
tee on labor but this was voted down
and the committee on labor will have
the sole conduct of the investigation.
IN THE SENATE.
Senator Georges bill to permit the
bureau of statistics of labor to expend
$4,000 for the decennial census was ia
"Vorably reported from the committee on
ways and means, and also the bill of the
same senator defining the duties of the
commissioner of public records.
Senator Hayes resolutions relative to
the proposed reduction in the number of
mail carriers in Boston were favorably
reported by the, committee on federal
relations.
On motion of Senator Farley of
Franklin, the bill making appropriation
for salaries and expenses in the office of
the insurance commissioner was taken
from the table and referred to the SEN
ate, ways and means committee.
Senator Towle of Suffolk thought the
bill to regulate the use of bicycles and
similar vehicles, reported on the petit
ton of the mayor of Cambridge, rather
broad. Senator Putnam of Middlesex
said it was simply the law of 1894 with
roads around reservoirs added. Sem
ator Towle subsidized, and the bill took
a second reading.
The committee on military affairs re-
ported bill to pay the commander of
the naval brigade $500 annually for the
care Of military property.
IN THE HOUSE.
The annual report of the controller OF
county accounts was received. The on
ly feature of general interest is rec
ommendation that sufficient working
capital be allowed the counties in max
ing the annual appropriations and an
other that provision should be made
for unforeseen contingencies by allowing
county commissioners, under proper re-
strictions, to incur debts for temporary
loans in anticipation of the annual ap-
preparations.
Mr.. Washburn of Worcester moved a
reconsideration of the vote by which
the report of the special commission on
street railways and their relations with
cities and towns was referred. he de-
sired if this motion prevailed, to reter
that part of the report of the commits
sion referring to the committee on tax
alton, and the remainder TO the street
railway committee.
Mr.. calendar of Boston objected to
this idea. thinking that the street rail
way committee was willing ana able TO
consider the business coming to that
committed Mr.. Bennett of Everett
Joined the. opposition and argued that
light calendar was in better shape TO
consider the matter than the already
heavily burdened committee on taxa
ton. He also contended that the SUBJ
fect was properly referred to the street
railway committee.
Mr.. Washburn of Worcester dlsclalnleo
any intention on the part of his com
nIiftee to seek for any business that
was not. with propriety, referred there.
The object of the reference he asked Tor
was merely TO facilitate the business OF
the commonwealth.
The motion to reconsider was theh ae-
feated by a rising vote, 81 to 81.
Mr.. Cullinane of Lawrence endeavored
to save his own bill for the appoint
ment of police chiefs and captains as
hail officers. The bill was opposed by
NJ IUbittaker of Wrentham and ny.
MYERS of Cambridge. The Dill was re-
iected. as recommended by the commit
Zee 104 to SO. Mr.. Cullinane asked Tor a
roll call. but only rs Joined IN the cali'
and it was lost .,,,,os+i.
1a+ion If the causes of the strikes IN
the textile cities, came up, MI Bennett
of Sailel1s asked for information as 10
the unusual form in which the order
was drawn, that the committee shoulo
have the power to send for persons but
not for papers. He didn't appreciate
the results of an investigation Oh TINS
kind.
Mr.. Ross of New Bedford urged the
aflantion Of the order as received from
The senate. He was confident of good
results from the investigation. More or
less had been said about the conditions
and causes leading to the reduction OF
wages, which the working people dldn
agree to. A certain congressman, with
no further use for the suffrages of the
neonIe had given his opinion about the
hostile legislation by the Massachusetts
legislature and the high wages paid by
Massachusetts manufacturers. There
should be an opportunity to answer
these and other persons who had ex-
pressed themselves ON the matter.
Mr.. Bachelor Of Boston moved for
an amendment that the investigation
should be conducted by the committees
on labor and manufactures. He wanted
all interested parties represented by the
committee. This motion was opposed
by Mr.. Ross of New Bedford, who con-
tended that the committee on labor was
not limited to those who were regarded
as the radical labor men.
Mr. Myers of Cambridge Joined for
the amendment While having his
doubts as to the advisability of the cut
down by the manufacturers. he be-
lieyed that the investigation should be
conducted very carefully and thorough
ly. Mr. Boutwell, of Maiden declared
that a report from a committee whose
chairman on the part of the house was
the leading executive officer of an oper-
atives' union, would meet with a pref
udice that would act against its fair
consideration by the legislature or the
general public. Mr. Boutwell, thought
that the significance of the investiga-
ton was as great to the manufacture
err as to the operative. ana that COM
mittees representing the two interests
should conduct the investigation.
Mr. Bennett of Saugus and Mr.. Bar
nard of Andover opposed the amend
ment. The latter had always heard
that the committee on labor never
amounted to anything, and il now APP
peared that there was considerable
truth in this, Mr.. Mccarthy Joined in
the opposition to the amendment.
Mr. Ross of New Bedford, in reply to
the remarks of Mr.. Boutwell, of Maiden,
announced that he would certainly re-
tire from the committee il there was
any objection to his serving ON the COM
nittee. He was confident that no man
l1facturer who knew of him. and his rec
ord at the state house, would make this
objection. Mr.. Miller of Boston opposed
fhe amendment. The amendment was
then rejected, 40 to 80. by rising vote.
The order was then adopted, viva yoce,