New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27
GOlIPERS Has LAST WORD.
Hearings on Eight Hour Bill Be
fore House Committee End.

Washington. March 26.-Hearings on the Eight
Hour bill which have been proceeding before the
House Committee on Labor Tor the last SIX weeks
were closed to-day both sides TO the controversy
being heard Daniel Davenport. % Bridgeport
Conn. representing the Anu-Boycott Association,
began the argument against the bill. lie main
taned that taken In connection with the law OF
5ss2 limiting work I'm government navy yards 20
eight hours. the pending hin. 81 passed. would be
Infringement OF the personal rights OF con-
tractors and therefore unconstitutional Under
the former law. Mr. Davenport said, a contractor
violating the proposed eight hour law would be
subject 10 a fine OF 5000 and imprisonment for six
months; the sub-contrRctor would be subject the
same penalty. Then. under the proposed law, this
same contractor would DE subject 70 a fine OF s
q day FOR each man employed by him. should he
operate his plant one minute eight hours. The
law be said, would spply 20 the construction OF the
Panama Canal all river and harbor improvements
and ell public buildings.
James L Hayden. Of Washington. representing
the Carnegie Steel Company. closed the argument
FOR the opponents OF the bill He compared the
contracts for government vessels with contracts
with a tailor for suit OF clothes. Both. he de-
clared. remain the property OF the contractor until
delivered. He asked who 70 say where the
operation OF the measure begins and where Il
ends. He said he believed II would apply to al
goods manufactured Tor the government which. 81
not delivered. would find sale in the open market.
He called attention the fact that this would be
worn on army and navy uniforms. for when manu-
featured OF the special design demanded they are
not for sale in the open market
Those favoring the bin had from z O'Clock until
1l5 10 close the hearing Samuel G0mrers presI-
dent Of the American Federation ~ Labor took I'D
the argument, saying that many OF the contentious
81 the opposition had foundation IN fact. Among
the trIisms which he accepted was the statement
that the purpose ~ Tho biz was 70 Influence the
Industries ~ the country come 10 the eirh- hour
basis al the earliest possible day He said shat Ga
first extending the eight hour day TO the govern
sent work covered In the bin. the operators OF
such Industries would see the wisdom and economy
resulting from this encouragement OF their work
mel.
Mr. Gompers said The opposition had given him an
honor he did not deserve when 81 termed the
measure the 'Gompere Eight Hour Bill" He
wanted give fun credit To Chairman Gardner.
OF New-Jersey. Tor introducing the BILL
q am glad you explained that" said Representa-
tive Goebel because We had Representative Sllzer
here the other day. and be claimed al the credit
FOR the biI."
Mr. Gompers eulogized Representative Gardner
Tor his interest IN the subject even before he be-
came chairman OF the Labor Committee. Mr.
Gompers confined himself chiefly 10 statements
that had been made 10y opponents of the ln and
endeayored % show the other side of tho QGee-
NDn. While De was making arguments along tha1
line he was asked II he deemed The law coustl-
we assert H." ne said we have consulted
sou-- of the best lawyers in the country and they
have assured this subject"
Mr. Goupe-s reviewed the many disputes labor
has had with capital. and said the w0rkiugnar
never had made move that the Constitution haa
nor been hurled ia his face.
heprosor.rrr1Ve tiOebel questioned Mr.. G0r.nrrs
N regard to overtime. and he said that the men
want no opportunity For e.. In fact. he said. the
me- GEL no chance for overtime in any well organ
l1ed Industry. FOR the reason that in fuime shop
We shifts are changed az certain hours and in an
ssM or ten hour shop The plants are closed a
GEen time
heierring 70 the frequent statements from rep
.-l.teeDyes of manufacturers that they want no
I~Sl iak0-s. Euf DO want be lei alone. DO
Sfompers said this Is when they are en-
-Vl ih grinding labor. buf when they are asking
SUBSIDIES and special lcEiS'a alton they do nor
20. 70 be let alone He colCernnpd tha men n
- Leao OF the National Employers Association
- ne Ant-EoyCott Association, and The tactics
80 oy TIE detectives employed fu spying and
none be said: but they won't De l.. lone Tho,
VII not make anarchists out Of orcsrlzas v,.o--
men We have tasted freedom through r.1~ ~
ealnzed and united efforts and those who hove
ehstec freedom cannot be held ln slavery 49, IL d,
A closing, Nj GOmpers said De felt c.--lc-r.s
% answer the charge that the bill does nor 800
We wishes OF the lsbor1ng and that is o1,e--
llons DO not represent the laborinR class In az
eWer1ng this he asked vehementlv- IL Ne ~
not who doesY" He reviewed the action taken r.,
various labor organizations in regard 10 fhs el-S
sring OF workingmen anywhere IN the Trifes
States that has not Endorsed H. He avpes led -
ne committee 10 report the bill favorahlv an6 10
press Il passage al this session OF Congress
The committee adjourned subject 70 the caU %
ne chairman.