Evening star., 1898-10-18
Discussing the Labors of the Indus
trial Commission.
SENATOR KYLE CHOSEN CHAIRMAN
Permanent Quarters for DeIibera-
ton Selected.
MEMBERS EXPRESS VIEWS


O'Clock this morning in the room of the
House committee OH appropriations at the
Capitol and continued the consideration of
its work of organizing. The meeting was
conducted with closed doors and continued
until about l O'Clock, when d recess of an
hour was taken for lunch
Ihere Were present at the meeting this
morning Senators Kyle, chairman, and NAL
Tory, Representatives Livingston of Georgia
often of Wis onSin and Gardner and Messrs
Smyth of South Carolina North of Massa-
chusetts, Conger of Michigan, Harris of
Chic, Harris of North Carolina Ratchford
of Indiana, Phillips of Pennsylvania and
Farquhar of New York
The committee on organiZa ton, eX-Rep-
resentative Phillips chairman, expected to
report a recommendation for the appoint
ment OF a secretary OF the commission but
the number Of applicants and the very
great amount of political influence that had
been exerted for this place had complicated
the matter of making a selection so greatly
that the committee could reach no couclu-
sion, and upon their recommendation the
commission decided to allow the appoint
fnsnt OF secretary to lie over until after
the Teassembling of the commission about
November l.. In the meantime the work
of the secretary will be performed by Mr.
Farquhar Of New York, a member of the
commission.
eT"ahent quarters.
The committee on permanent quarters
reported in favor of renting five rooms,
one & small one and the others commo-
dious apartments in the Bliss building on
street between New Jersey avenue and
Is street northwest One of these rooms
is really small hall and will give ample
room for commission meetings. Other
rooms Will be used by clerks and stenogra-
piers and for the storage Of documents
IEey located tho of hsa
Bliss building. and were formerly occupied
by the Bliss School of Electricity. The
commission voted to rent these quarters
for which they will pay S65 a month, which
includes heating and gas. The Bliss build
ing is but a couple of minutes walk from
the Capitol which will make the head
quarters easy of access to senators and
representatives who are members of the
rnmiSSioIi
After the transaction of this business a
permanent chairman and first and second
wee ehairmen of the commission were
elected. as follows: Chairman, Senator
Kyle; first vice chairman, ex-Representa-
tive Phillips: second vice chairman. Repre-
sentative Gardner.
Scope of the Work.
Senator Kyle then asked members of the
commission to express their opinions re-
garding the scope Of fhe work to be carried
on. Mr.. Phillips said he thought the labor
laws of all the European countries should
Of when the time comes for the commission
to formulate its views upon the character
of laws that should be adopted in the va
rious states of this country. with view of
improving the condition Of labor
The aim of the law creating the commits
sion was TO secure recommendations and
facts upon which the various states might
enact laws and not with the purpose of
having such legislation by Congress-
Mr.. North of Massa chusetts suggested
that the commission carefully limit the
scope of the examination, or he feared he
work would not have such favorable re-
suits would be desired.
Mr. f. A. Smyth of South Carolina spoke
of the manner In which cOlored labor in
the south is encroaching upon white labor
in the mills and in the mechanical trades,
ton with this subject.
Other members expressed their opinions
regarding the scope of the commissions
work.
1t was finally decided TO divide the work
into five branches, under the heads Of inn
migration, labor. manufactures, agricul-
ture and business. as contemplated in the
on. 1t is probable that at the meeting Of
the commission this afternoon committees
will be named for taxing up the work un-
der these different heads.
The commission met again at O'Clock
and continued proceedings with closed
doors.
The commission this afternoon appointed
committee, consisting of Messrs. CongAr.
chairman; Harris of North Carolina and
Ratchf0rd, to take charge of the branch
of the investigation on business" 1t is
expected that committees on agriculture,
immigration. labor and manufactures will
be appointed before adjournment today.