The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-12
CARROLL CALLS
BURCHARD BLUFF
Sarcascay Suggests That the Chairman of Boss Braytons
Graveyard Committee Look Again and Shows Why Organized
labor Finds Its Only Hope Reforms Be in the Support OF
the Democratic Ticket on Nov g.

80 Mr.. Burchard has been able 10 int
the missing eight-hour bill had begun
10 believe that he would never find IL
when his complete investigation in the
frst instance failed 10 reveal IL. / thought
Il might go down 10 history with the
check list lost strayed or stolen at the
First ward Democratic caucus. The cam
paign seemed likely 10 gain a name In
history as the campaign OF lost docu-
ments."
With these remarks Charles Carroll
this morning opened a statement In re-
ply 10 that by Representative Burchard
OF Little Compton that an eight-hour
bilL-not mentioned by Mr. Burchard in
his report 20 Colonel Gross-had been
found with the record OF the committee
on special legislation OF the last house
OF representatives Mr.. Carroll continued
Now, Mr. Burchard. II his records are
entirely complete and IL he makes further
research in the crowded archives OF the
grave yard committee on special legisla-
tion may find two eight-hour bills. The
second one OF these called for an eight
hour day for all employees Of the state
and OF municipal corporations i'm the
state. It'was presented by Representa-
tive F. X. Leonidas Rattey OF Central
Falls
This particular bill was the act OF an
individual and had no connection with
the Freeman petition IL was not ac-
companied by any petition for a hearing
or for its pa ssage. 10 was referred TO the
committee on special legislation. l call
attention TO the fact that the Republican
house of representatives allowed IL To
slumber in the files OF the committee on
special legislation. where II died the same
peaceful death accorded TO the first eight
hour bill which shall now consider
"The first eight-hour bill. which accom-
panied the Freeman complaint. was
drawn by me. II was presented with the
Freeman complaint by Representative
Brozeau OF Pawtucket. II necessary
can produce the member OF Pawtucket
Typographical union who accompanied
Mr. Brozeau 10 the state house on the
day on which this bill was presented.
carrying the bill and the petitions
THE men referred to say there were
many more than the 60 petitions which Mr.
Burchard says are TO be found I'm files
or the COMMITTEES on special legislation.
There were so many petitions, I'm fact,
that they could not be handily rolled into
one bundle; and so the man made two
rolls OF the petitions carrying one under
each arm.
"The petition and the eight-hour bill
were presented together and were con-
nected In presentation and I'm reference to
the committee on special legislation. de-
spite Mr.. Burchards statement TO the
contrary.
II am able also to produce, II neces-
sary, other members OF Pawtucket Typo
graphical union than the one who carried
the Freeman petition 10 the state house.
10 prove that more than 60 OF them were
presented and that the number OF names
ran nearer 10000 than 1000 At Burchard's
estimate there was an average OF less
"a eichf an ha
which he admits are on record: and vet
the petition, after deducting the printed
matter allowed a space Sxsi1 inches for
signatures
There Is another curious thing about
Mr.. Burchard's statement that the petit
tions and the eight-hour bill had no con-
nection. II they had no connection. then
the Freeman petition. as IL called for no
legislation and referred merely TO the
state printing. should have gone TO fhe
committee on state printing, appointed
each year under statutory provision. IL
has complete control OF contract for the
state printing. Being n part OF the gem
eral assembly, the general assembly is re-
sponsible for the acts, though Mr.. Bur
chard says that the Freeman complaint
did not concern the general assembly.
To summarize this statement briefly:
Mr. Burchard has now found an eight
hour bill not connected with the Freeman
petition. There was such a BILL but an
other eght-hour bill accompanying the
Freeman petition and was referred with
the petition 10 Mr.. Burchards commit
tee. The committee failed TO report on
either bill or on tho petition. and a house
of representatives composed OF 90 Repub-
licans and II Democrats allowed them to
slumber 10 death We don't blame the
Democrats because II has frequently been