Evening star., 1905-09-27
IN LABOR CIRCLES
c.

The statement made by Mr.. Frank Morri-
son, secretary of the American Federation
OF Labor. anent the Mongolian immigra-
tion controversy and In reply to the views
expressed by Rev. Frank II. Bristol. as
published in The, Star yesterday. was gem
orally commented upon In labor circles last
night. In addition to that statement, Mr..
Morrison has furnished The Star with other
interesting data on the Chinese question,
which promises to figure prominently in
Congress in the coming session. He said:
MANY years. ago Rudyard Kipling, while
travelling through China, was so profoundly.
impressed with the character of the people
that he said:- There are three races who
can work. but there is only one that can
swarm. These people work and spread
They pack close and eat everything and
can live on nothing. They willeoverwhei1n
the world, 80.
ITO those of our citizens still in middle
age the struggle of the Pacific coast must
yet be fresh in mind. A growing young
giant, kept to the earth by a weight he
found himself unable to rise with. His
appeals, petitions and prayers for succor
from those able to help availed him nanght.
In spite of his herculean efforts he was not
even able to shift this burden, and when
his final collapse became merely question
of time. help came sparingly-not the help
he had right to expect, but some little OF
the weight was taken off; the beginning
being made, by persistent effort greater
help was extended until. the burden being
considerably lighter, the giant was able to
Is the young giant of the west to be again
crushed to the earth by an avalanche.
against which other and older nations have
found all resistance futile?
''Our recently acquired possessions may
furnish us fingermark it might be well to
consider.
Reiterated assertions to the effect that
native labor in the Philippines is unreliable
must be accepted as coming almost eXclu-
sively from Europeans, who primarily are
exploiters pure and simple, and, as such,
have absolutely no interest IN. the ISLANDS
beyond the immediate realization OF enor-
NOUS profits. Under the old system the
wages of labor were too small to establish
anything like sense of self-interest on the
part of employees, and, as consequence,
solicitude for the interests of employers did
not exist, and workmen. as a rule, were IN
different as to their own constant employ
ment, and had little concern about the fu-
ture as their own wishes or interests were
never consulted.
american experience, so far as public
employees are concerned, has not confirmed
the declaration of the Europeans. On bhe
contrary 1t has been found that when prop
erly paid the Filipino is precisely like any
other man and holds on to a good place
by reason of fidelity and faithful service.
"In view of the foregoing premises the
military administration has rigidly enforced
regulations excluding Chinese immigration
from the Islands: not In spirit of hostility,
but in pursuance of instincts of self-preser-
walton. Individually, Chinaman repre-
sents unit of excellence that must always
command respect and win admiration, but
in their organized capacity in the Phihp-
pines the Chinese represent an economical
army without allegiance or attachment TO
the country, and which, to great extent,
is beyond the reach of insular authority.
.They are bent upon commercial conquest,
and as those in the islands already repre-
sent an innumerable host at home, even re-
stricted immigration would represent Sc
rious menace.
1.-The ultimate interests of America in the
east depend so much on correct. solution
of this problem that the attitude OF the
military government. in respect thereof Is
respectfully submitted, with request for
very careful consideration of the same; and
further action is recommended in the prem
ises looking to gradual decrease OF the Chi
nese now in the islands, which might be
partially accomplished by prohibiting the
return of all individuals who have been ab-
sent for six months, or hereafter may
absent themselves from the islands, and re-
main so absent, for the same time.
investigations carried on by state and
municipal authorities in California devel-
oped the facts that in factories owned by
white employers the Chinese employees re-
fused to work together with white men,
and upon one occasion at least positively
struck against them refusing to work un-
less the white help was discharged. This
instance SO aroused the state Of California
that an anti-Chinese convention was called
and held at the city Of Sacramento March
TO- 1886. in which the most representative
citizens of California took part. The con-
vention appointed committee of five to
address a suitable memorial to Congress,
applying for relief The committee con-
sisted of Mr.. John F. Swift, eX-minister to
Japan, United States senator; A. A. Sar-
gent Mr. H " Morehouse, Mr. E. A.
Tloy md Nv Il n
There certainly can be no question as
to the conservatism of these gentlemen all
of whom had been prominently identified
with the growth and development of the
state of California.
''I desire to quote but few extracts of
this document which was addressed and
transmitted to the President. the Senate
and the House of Representatives:
"'That there is more mere money profit
in dollars in a homogeneous population than
in one of the mixed races. while the moral
and political objections are unanswerable.
'f'That while the Chinaman works in
dustriously enough, he consumes very lit
tie, either of his own production OF of
ours"
Public Printer Ricketts, has been present.
ed with a copy of a resolution adopted at
the last meeting of Columbia Typographical
Union. 1t recites that whereas the install
lation of seventy-two more Lanston ma
chimes in the government printing office
will result in reduction of the force. and
has deprived a large number of our men,
berS of employment;
1t was resolved that the officers of this
union be instructed to wait upon the pub
lie printer and request him to give MEM
bers of this union the preference in future
for the position of caster for said Lanston
machines
The force of clerks at the headquarters of
the American Federation of Labor, 1855 G
street northwest, have sent out the last of
the official calls for the A. F. of l.. coaven-
tion to be held at PittsbuTg. Pa, beginning
at 10 o'clock Monday morning, November
i3, and to continue in session until the
business of the convention has been COM
pleted
At a recent meeting of the Mail Bag
Pouch Makers Union, No 1923 the fol-
lowing officers for the ensuing term We're