The Washington times., 1902-03-07
FOR and AGAINST THE
:. = EIGHT-HOUR BILL
Judge McCammon Urges Ref
erence to Labor Bureau.
WARM WORDS WITH GOMPERS
Opposing Representatives Before Com
mittee Clash-Labor Leader Says He
Was Approached to Withdraw the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of Witnesses.

! NASdSulc- dppedIduCt VI "ithcSoSo
There was a strenuous controversy yes
| terday before the House Committee or
Labor by the representatives of capita
on one side and labor delegates on the
against the eight-hour bill. now under
consideration by the committee.
Judge Joseph X. McCammon, appearing
for number Of Government contractors
and Mr.. Samuel Gompers, president OF
the Federation Of Labor, became engaged
in a heated 'colloquy, during which some
very interesting points were brought out
Mr.. Gompers very bitterly resented some
Of the remarks employed by Judge Nc
Cannon as reflections on himself. The
Judge claimed. with equal force, that Mr..
Gompers had entirely misunderstood him.
The labor leader said that within the
last twenty-four hours he had been ap-
preached by certain parties. suggesting
that it would be better for him to with
draw the eight hour bill.
Will Fight to Finish.
Il have fought for it through two ses-
sions,' exclaimed Mr. Gompers, ''and !
propose to fight for 1t to a finish''
Judge McCammon suggested to the COM
mittee that an impartial investigation Of
the subject could best be secured by re-
ferring the whole matter to the Bureau
of Labor, setting his views forth in let
x,-bia iat, ha
In this letter Judge McCammon said:
Your attention is called to the act of
Congress creating the Bureau of Labor,
which provides. among other things, that
the commissioner is authorized to make
special reports on particular subjects
whenever required to do SO by the Presi-
dent or either house of Congress.
"A method is thus pointed out by which
the query made by your chairman, Mr.
Gardner. at the meeting of February 26.
can be answered. Mr.. Gardner referred
to the testimony Of Superintendent John
son. of the Bethlehem Steel Works, to
the effect that it was impossible to pro-
duce the best results, or satisfactory re-
suits, unless the same mind controlled
the heat to its close in the manufac-
ture of glIEs in the rough, armor plate,
and structural iron.
i" The same information is stated by
the gentieIxan now on the stand (Mr.
Dinkey of the Homestead works., and II
is admitted by Mr.. Gompers that If that
be true 1t goes to the pith of the ques
tion as to the making Of steel, armor
plate, etc.
Then came the query:
Now, 1t seems to ME that 1t is a
question about which the committee ought
not 10 be left to grope; that it is a matter
that can be determined. can it not, with
absolute certainty by expert testimony"
A Special Report.
Judge McCammon said. having in mind
the desire OF the chairman and the COM
nittee to fully investigate the subject
impartially, he would, therefore. suggest
that the committee report to the House
a resolution requiring the Commissioner
of Labor to make a special report on the
points raised by Messrs. johnson and
,Nabove referred to. Mr.. Mccain
mon said d Government staff of experts
was at the service Of the House for Just
such kind Ok inves legation.
The result CT this investigation" said
counsel would. OF necessity. be accept
able to all parties concerned. and,
think, it could be made within the COM
pass OF a week"
Judge McCa1nmons idea seemed 10
rouse the ire OF Mr.. Gompers, who de-
clared that an investigation by the Bu-
reau of Labor would produce nothing.
The opponents of this measure" he
said. have in the last three sessions en-
aeayored to defeat it by every means In
their power. Now the gentlemen come
here and propose that the investigation
be referred to another department"
Mr.. Gompers commented on the non-ap-
pearance OF witnesses for the other side,
and TIE excuses that were offered to the
which he declared were triiling.
He said il was clearly the purpose of the
enemies of TIE bill to prolong the matter
so it would die within the session He
then referred to the influence that was
brought 10 bear in an effort to have him
withdraw the bill.
Sarcastic Remarks.
Having listened for some time to the
eminent metal worker and mechanical ex-
pert" returned Judge McCammon sareas-
tically, referring to Mr.. Gompers, who in
forms us that certain things cannot be
done about which he knows nothing, /
would remind Kim of the appearance
of lis own witnesses, not one OF whom
u
statement. so far as an investigation by
the Bureau of Labor is concerned. the re-
suit will be entirely acquiesced in by the
parties | represent"
do lou mean to say that. should it be
adverse to you, all opposition on your
part will cease%' demanded MIR. Gompers
The gentleman is illogical as usual"
returned Judge McCammon. Our opposi-
tion will never cease to bill which pro-
vate contracts.
The speaker then remarked that Mr.
Compers seemed to persistently misquote
him, whether intentionally he could not
determine.
Il wish" he added. that Mr. Gompers
would not take, my time in making such !
He either does not under
stand my language or misses the applica-
tion of my words If the eight-hour bill |
should passive should hold II to be un-
Representative Warnock asked Mr. |
Gompers If he was in favor of bill that
deprived a laboring man of the right to |
earn one or two hours additional pay.
MI Gompers' Views.
Il would have a law answered Mr.. !
Gompers. ITO prevent the employment of |
labor working over eight hours a day ex-
cept when the overtime was absolutely |
essential to life and property And while |
am on my feet said Mr.. Gompers. Il
would like to remind Judge McCammon
that his time is only valuable as it is
Just like yours. sir" retorted Mr. Nc !
sharply.
Mr. Gompers then referred rather bit
terly to what he considered a reflection |
rom McCnnmnn on his education