Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-04-05

Correspondence OF Gazette and Journal
|shington, March 81. The hear
before the House labor COMMITTEES
be Eight hour Labor bill, which
been taking place for the last two
IS have attracted widespread at
on throughout the country. The
biral question involved was whether
Government Of the United States is
(itutionally empowered to reduce
bou:s of labor on government work
10 States.
all the sessions of the committee
IS been argued by the opponents Of
measure that it is ;mpracticable
pmbine an eight.hour system OIL
rnment work and a nine or ten
system on private work, and there
bot been much debating on this
tion, which is considered one of
strongest points scored by the
bsition. ........
hong those who have appeared be-
the committee was ex-senator
bony Higgins Of Delaware, who
esented the Harlan & Hollingswol tn
of Wilmington, which is, as Mr..
gins put 1t, lone Of the Oldest rs
as one of the largest shipbuilding
blishments in the United States. y
b. Higgins spoke at least an hour
presented the case from all sides.
made very strong appeal.
BIZ object of the bill is to extend
range of the bill of 1892 limiting
hours of labor, so far as it can he,
bting the Federal government. That
ute was confined to the labor Of
e working on public works, while
extends to oil work done for the
ted States.
r. Higgins wanted to know whether
United States or Congress had con-
|htional power over the matter, by
rection over the whole industry Of
country and not as to its own
Pdings. He said that no one would
that the United States based juris-
zion over tho domestic relations of
people, and why should Congress
e. Jurisdiction over employer and
Ploye.
Q also wanted to know why Con-
fs wanted to take this power away
b the States. He argued at length
fhis point. He said that the labor
negrol In the mines of the South
Id not appreciate any such law II
D were to get 1t. He then asked the
irman the following questions
hat is the object of the bill? What
|he hope, | may say aspirations, of
promoters? What do they want9
lat are they seeking by legislation9''
concluding, Mr.. Higgins said:
zone word more. / believe IL was
pnklin who said that he would have
Pd to 100 years beyond the term Of
life to see what was accomplished
science. He might have asked to
/ that he might see what were the
fies Of his country. But, great as
y are. in so many spheres, what SO
the American heart with pride and
be and satisfaction as to realize at
that by the thoroughness Of own
lstruction, the effect of our ingenuity
the steadiness Of our laborers and
chanics, we SO far exceed the rest OF
world in manufacturing both in
\ and in quality that today we have
'aded the strongholds Of Europe
elf, and we have demonstrated our
chanical and industrial conquest OF
world. Will you lightly undertake.
the imposition of 90 per cent repair
primeral cost, to lay heavy hands
on that possibility? 1t is a grave
tier. 1t seems to me that the gentle.
y who promote this bill have taken
1T an admirable way by which tc
Itate the general question under dis.
Ssion. The discussion that goes on
70 will reach out all over the country,
their arguments for it, as well Of
arguments against, will receive the
dest consideration and discussion
d ! submit to them, as do to you,
1t they are in wrong forum, thai
sy are in the wrong way, and Oh the
ong lines. 1t does not follow that
ideal will be reached. / see here
At in England, on the Clyde, they
TX nine hours day in those estab,
hments. | think that IS so; and so,
Things go on and 60 on it will be
'sible in this or that or the other di,
'tion for less hours Of labor to bt
iablished. But the proposition tc
force it upon conditions in which the
dest labor of Europe finds here IT'D
tiet and the same with the average
,or OF the South, the Mexican labUl
Mexico, and New Mexico and Ari
ma, under all sorts OF conditions; tina
U reach out into the free domain ant
here of the State with a bill o.
ubtful construction and of more thar
ubtful constitutionality, may vel
ID this committaa and Enngress Il