The times., 1898-09-18
Mr.. BABCOCK'S BATTLE
Knights of Labor Making War
Oh the Wisconsin Member.
VIGOROUS PROTESTS URGED
The Organization Claims That the
Chairnan of the District Commit
tee of the House Did Not Give It's
Representatives Hearing on
Some Important Legislation.

Chairman Babcock, of the Republican
Congressional committee, is reported to
be very much worried man. The polit-
ical situation in his \distrfct-the Third
district of Wisconsin-has reached
point where it needs personal attention
on the part of Mr. Babcock, If he really
wishes to be returned to Congress.
The Democrats are excellently organ
lied in that district, and have nominated
7. l.. Cleary as Mr.. Babcock's opponent,
and that gentleman seems to have gone
into the fight to win. Added to all this,
there is reported to be much dissatisfac-
ton among MIR. Babcock's own political
constituents over his political appoint
ments. The postmasterships seem not to
have been as judiciously handled as they
should have been. resulting in much hard
feeling against Mr.. Babcock.
Mr.. Babcock's record as chairman of
the committee on the District of Column
bia in the last Congress has fallen into
the hands of the Democratic managers in
that district, and is being used with ef-
feet in their fight.
A long report coming from the knights
treatment that organization received at
the hands of Mr.. Babcock, particularly
with reference to street railway legisla-
ton In the District of Columbia, and from
which the following letters and extracts
are taken, is being read by the voters IN
the Third Wisconsin District.
The following letter, which was sent to
Mr. Babcock in March, 1896, is from Sec
retary Treasurer Hayes of the knights
of Labor, and explains the situation at
that time fully:
The Metropolitan Railroad Company
Is now appealing TO Congress for an ex-
tension of its franchise. Before tic same
is considered and reported upon by your
honorable committee we would, in behalf
of the Order of the knights OF Labor,
many of whose members are employed on
the lines of this company, ask a hearing
in opposition to the bill. on the ground
that the franchise gives the railroad COM
pany certain rights and privileges, while
the railroad company depriyes The MEM
bers of organized labor and it's employees
of Just and fair treatment. i do not de-
sire TO go into the subject at length at
this time but will give you one or two
points on which we found our complaint.
The men are compelled TO work twelve
hours per day. and are only allowed from
six TO eight minutes in which to change
tnelT horses, turn NHtlI ais anu c-hS NAAcAA
dinners This is on the horse-car lines.
Men seeking employment from the cnIn-
pany are required TO bring two reputable
citizens to vouch for their character, In
so far as that they will guarantee that
the applicant will not strike. join Ia
Dor organization. or in any other way in
terfere with the rights of the company
We have very kindly been granted a
hearing from the honorable committee OF
the Senate, and when the bill Is under
consideration shall have our representa-
tive present 10 explain, and we trust To
the satisfaction of the committee, that
the position we take is a just one.
I'VE have learned that Mr. Phillips Is
circulating a petition among the employees
on the different lines of the metropolitan
Railway Company, requesting that 1t
should be read over. and if favorably con
sidered. signed. This petition Is a pro-
test against the request made by the
knights of Labor for fair and JUST treat
ment for their members employed by the
company. Under The conditions as they
exist in the labor world, ii is next 10 In
possible for man to retain MS position
in any of the different departments OF
works. where he may be engaged, in op-
position to the implied wish Of the com
pany. Men must sign this petition,
whether they like it or not, In order 10
keen their positions.
rrI,ie latter was dated March 1G, 1896.