The Washington times., 1902-06-25
Mr.. Gompers Says His
Side Has No Further
Testimony.
NO REPORT At This SESSION
Chairman McComas Says Committee
Hopes to Act on Bill Next December
Mr.. O'Connell and Judge Mccain
mon Get Into a Discussion.

The Senate Committee on Education
and Labor had another hearing yester'
day on the eight-hour bill.
Arguments for the measure were made
by Samuel Gompers, president of the
Federation Of Labor. and John O'Con-
nell.
]. X. McCammon and L. E. Payson op-
posed the bill for the ship-building IN
terests. One of the grounds of objec-
tion presented was that ii would be i'm
possible for ship-builders having Govern
ment work to segregate it from private
work.
The bill provides that eight hours only
shall constitute days labor on all Gov
ernment contracts.
1t is now certain that the eight-hour
bill will not be reported from the Sen
ate Committee on Education and Labor
at this session.
When the committee met yesterday
morning Chairman McComas advised all
parties to be as expeditions as possible
in submitting testimony for and against
the bill
Report Next December.
I'VE have only a very little time
left" cautioned the Senator, "and it
would be well for all of you to make
as much of 1t as possible. 1 hope the
committee will be able to make report
on this bill next December
ha tact ~
two witnesses for the labor element
testified that thirty-seven men of the
Bethlehem Steel Works were discharged
for attending a mass meeting address,
ed by Mr.. Gompers at South Bethlehem.
Pa, the assertion being made that the
names of the men were procured by
stenographeT in the employ of the
Bethlehem people. who was present at
the gathering. The stenographer. John
Hagenbush, was the first witness called
and he denied emphatically
the whole story.
Indeed. SIR ne said. addressing
Chairman McComas. Il was not even
present at the meeting and never heard
of any men being discharged for attend
ing it,
Mr.. Gompers' Admission.
Mr.. Gompers very frankly admitted
the truth of the witness statement. and
said that his side had been misled or the
subject.
President O'Connell of the Interna-
tional Association of Machlnists and
Judge McCammon got into mix-up
when the strike in the Cramps ship
yards few years ago was under dis
cussion. the lawyer denouncing as ab-
false the testimony given by Mr..
O'Connell. when he claimed that 1900
men struck on that occasion.
And we will bring witnesses here to
prove what / state" remarked Mr.. Nc
Cannon.
Yes and will disprove every state
ment they make" cut in Mr.. O'ConneIl
sharply.
Labor Case Rested.
Mr.. Gompers told the committee THAT
his side lad no further testimony TO
submit. and were satisfied to rest their
case as It stood.
" arc III Ills pOSlllOU, eNplalDel
Mr.. Gompers; I'VE cannot prove abso-
lutely the practicability of a universal
eight hour day until it is tried, any more
than an inventor could demonstrate be-
yond the peradventure of doubt the
value OF his invention until his model
was put into working shape"
Mr.. Gompers declared that unless the
opposition had testimony to adduce he
held their position as untenable, even
from the standpoint of their own in
terests
Although they will deny it," he re-
with bow to Judge Mccain
mon, I'VE are positive, however. they
will be as much benefited by the law as
the workingman."
Il did not suppose the gentlemen who
favored the BILL rejoined Judge Nc
Camman. ironically, would fall down
SO early in the fight, and certainly
think they should assign some better
reasons for destroying the enormous
business interests that will SO suffer
should this bill become law"