The times., 1899-04-21
THE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION.
+. N Arthur and p J. Mcclure Heard
on Labor Qucxfions

on Labor Questions.
+. VI. Arthur, Chief OF the brotherhood
OF Locomotive Engineers. and p. ]. Nc
Guire First Vice President of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor and Secretary
Treasurer OF the United Brotherhood OF
Carpenters and Joiners of America ap-
peared before the Industrial Commission
Yesterday and testified respecting the labor
situation in their respective fields OF in
dUStry.
Ar. Arthur took the stand first and gave
detailed explanation OF the organization
ne represented. Written agreements. ne
sara. existed between the organization of
locomotive engineers and 90 per cent of the
railroads of the country respecting con-
ditions OF employment. About 90 per cent
CT the locomotive engineers OF the country
are members of the brotherhood. He smoke
highly OF their character. and said IL was
rare TO and an engineer who becomes Ia
tcxicated
There is an insurance branch OF the or
der. which has disbursed upward Of
sS.ooo,o0O to widows and orphans, 81 900
being the limit OF insurance given TO any
individual
Mr.. Arthur said his experience with in
functions had been very unsatisfactory
He had heard rumors OF blacklisting but
had no positive information that railroad
companies employed that form of tyranny
IN dealing with their engineers. He was
heartily in favor of restricting immigra-
ton through educational and property
tests His experience with compulsory ar
bitration had been such as to cause him
TO look upon it with disfavor The rail
roads should be held for greater liabilities
in case Of accidents.
Mr.. Mcclure took the stand at o'clock
and finished his testimony at g. His ex-
perience in the labor movement dates back
m Ia fra1 . tk.( (snr a
Joiners, and was one of the founders OF
the Federation of Labor. He advocated
strikes, but said they must be won speed
ily- Compulsory arbitration was not what
is needed TO settle labor disputes. In re-
gard to the method of paying wages. he
favored the weekly system. Mr.. MCGUIRE
spoke feelingly ON the subject of living
wages In his opinion. the worker should
have something more than a mere living.
He should be entitled to luxuries. and be
given an opportunity to provide fer his Old
age.
The social condition of labor had i'm
proved during the past fifty years. He
favored the eight-hour day and the re-
striction of immigration.
Mr.. Mcclure insisted that mechanics
lien laws should be adopted, also employ
ers' liability laws. These laws are in force
in England and prevent irresponsible EN-
plcyers from going into business. IL also
makes the employer careful as to the safety
OF his machinery. II will also lead 10
greater care in the selection of competent
foTemen.
The uniformity OF Industrial legislation
in the several States was very desirable
Employment CT children should also be
regulated by law. The parents Of children
who are unable to provide for their edu-
cation should be allowed to join oFganiza-
tions which would enable them to send
their children to school. The present pub
lie school system. he thought. should be
enlarged. IL tended to lessen respect for
manual labor. He advocated courses In
schools along manual labor lines There
is vast army Of educated youths who
ecme frcm cur schools. said the witness.
who have an abhorrenee OF manual labor.
and whc enter into competition with each
other which is really worse than the com
petition among the manual laborers of the
country. There was a problem CT organ
izins this educated labor which presented
vast difficulties. but which was becoming
more and more OF necessity.
Iabcr organizations were on the in
crease more this spring than for many
years il the past. Mr. Mcclure went into
the labor movement in 1870, and had
mixed up with the radicals as well as the
conservatives. II has been his experience
that the extreme element on one side was
met by the extreme or the other side
The extremists in the labor movement
were in many cases reyoiUtionists, their
objects being to upset organized societies
The factory hands of New England were
the most fruitful field for leaders of these
extremes The time was coming when.
unless conservatism was fast developed. a
spark would start a terrible revolution
Since Bellamy's book was written the num-
ber of Americans who were embracing the
doctrine Of eollectivism was rapidly in
creasing