The Washington times., 1902-03-14
COMMITTEE HEARING
ON EIGHH-HOUR BILL
Contractors Say Steel Cannot
Be Made Under Conditions.
Would Not Meet Government Specifica-
tions-Witness Garland Says Work
men Are Afraid to Testify.

The Labor Committee of the House yes
terday heard the final testimony on the bill
restricting work on all Government con-
tracts to eight hours a day. The wit
nesses for both sides were men who have
had practical experience in shipyards and
steel works None of those produced by
Mr.. Gompers, of the Federation of Labor,
are at present engaged in such pursuits,
all of them being employed in the Gov
ernment service. They are NJ. NJ Garland,
now surveyor of customs in Pittsburg; Jo-
seph E. Ralph. custodian of dies and plates
at the Bureau Of Engraving and Printing,
and Charles A. Gwynn. machinist from
the Washington Navy Yard.
The witnesses appearing for the Govern
ment contractors were all from the
Cramps shipyard. and from their testi-
mony seemed TO be in closer touch with
the question at issue than the witnesses
on the other side.
Judge McCammon's Declaration.
During the day Judge McCammon, ap-
pearing for the Government contractors.
clearly defined his position and that of
the men he represents in declaring that
steel of the highest grade could not be
made within eight hours to meet the spe-
ciiications of the Government This ap-
piled also to contracts for Government
vessels.
Mr.. Garland. who is at present manu-
facturer OF tin plate in addition to hold
ing Government position. and who has
not been actively engaged as a steel
worker for twelve years, attacked the
testimony of Superintendent Johnson OF
the Bethlehem Steel Works before the
committee. in which the latter declared
that heat could not be changed to an
other shift Of men without deterioration.
Mr.. Garland held exactly the opposite
view.
In answer to Mr.. Gompers, the witness
said he had endeayored TO bring some
workmen from Pittsburg to testify be-
fore the committee in favor of the bill,
but they declined to come. alleging that
should they give such testimony it would
irnperil their situations.
A Question of Wages.
Mr.. Garland contradicted former testi-
mony in asserting that the Homestead
strike occurred on a question of wages
and not the recognition Of the Amalga-
mated Association of Steel Workers, of
which the witness was at one time presi-
dent. and now holds an executive office in
that organization.
What do men think" asked Repre-
sentative Warnock, 'of an arbitrary day
of eight hours with no privilege of work
ing oyertime?'
Mr.. Garland answered that the men pre-
Judge McCammon in his examination of
the witness brought out from him the ad-
mission that he had never worked directly
on armor plate and could not therefore
speak authoritatively in the matter.
Mr.. Garland said emergencies might
arise where such overtime was necessary.
Then" cut in Judge McCammon sharp
ly. ''if the bill does not provide for such
shoula it not?"
Should Provide for Emergency.
"oh. yes" responded MIR. Garland
Well" added the Judge with an air of
81 will tell you for your own
information that the bill makes no such
provision"
Mr.. Garland was then taken in hand by
ex-Secretary of the Navy Herbert, ap-
pearing for the Midvale Iron Works. and
to very severe cross -eXamina-
lion, during which Secretary Herbert re-
entlessly compared the witnesses, |
aXperience with that of Dinlsey and John I
son, finally forcing from Garland the ad- !
mission that he did not consider himself |
as competent an expert as the men |
named. |
Mr. Ralph followed closely on the lines |
Of the first witness In inveighing against |
statement and supporting the |
feasibility of the eight hour law. When |
be was Drobed regarding his knowledge OF
armor plate. he said that once at Home
stead in 1892. prior TO the great strike, he
lad Witnessed the process of manufactur-
ng ii, although some of the Government
contractors declared that Homestead was
lot producing armor plate at the time
specified by the witness.
Mr.. Ralph also declared that Johnson In
lis testimony never said that it was i'm
possible TO make fne steel within eight |
iours. ThereuDon Acting Chairman Nc
Cleary quoted from Johnson's testimony