Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-11-01

the citizens Of Albuquerque--no less
Than fifteen hundred headed by q
brass bond-tbat greeted Congress
man Ferguson yesterday morning as
he stopped in the city for little while
en- route 10 Gallup where he spoke
last night. whistles blew and hands
elapped and people shouted a noisy
welcome.
Mr.. FERGUSON put In his time shnk-
ing hands with old friends who strug-
Eied to greet him. He made no
speech and talked no politics except
for a few moments % a representa-
live Of the Journal who pulled him
anide long enough 10 get brief inter-
view on his record on the various IA =
Dor questions In congress. matter
referred To by Francis c. Wilson In
his speech at The Elks opera house
Friday night and that ls being talked
by republicans who are seeking 10
align the labor voters against Mr..
Ferguson by misrepresentation OF his
position on that subject
MIR. Ferguson said 10 the Journal.
Ills Labor Record.
TN view OF my record in this state
and in congress- II seems strange that
any one should seek 20 prejudice Ia
Dor against me. In congress | have
stood absolutely by the president In
every labor measure before congress-
Furthermore, have stood with the
secretary OF labor, William y. Wilson.
the first and only member OF labor
union ever honored With a seat In the
cabinet.
"It is true that voted against an
educational test for Immigrants. be-
cause with President Wilson and for
mer President Taft | do not believe
that proper test for the Immigrant.
| am opposed 10 a bill that would
have barred from the United States
even the present secretary Of labor
himself. who learned to read and
write after he came 10 this country
from Scotland In 1870
At Mr. Fergussons suggestion the
journal herewith reproduces the biog-
faphy Of the secretary Of labor as
taken from the congressional direc-
tory.
william Bauehop Wilson. OF Bloss-
burg. Pa. secretary Of labor, was born
at Biantyre. Scotland. April :. 1862.
came to this country with his parents
In 1870 and settled al Arnot. Tioga
county, Pa. In March, 1871. he began
working in the coal mines. In Mo-
vember. 1873. became member of the
mine workers union has taken an
active part In trade-union affairs from
early manhood was international Sec
rotary OF the United Mine Workers
OF America from 1900 70 1908, having
been elected each year without oppo-
altion; Is engaged in farming at
HloasburR. married and has nine
children: was elected TO the Sixtieth.
sixty-firkt and Sixty-second con-
crosses from the fifteen congressional
district OF Pennsylvania; chairman
committee on labor. house of repre-
sentatives. Sxty-seeond congress-
Took the oath OF office as secretary
Of labor March 5. 1919
Would Have barred Him.
MIR. Wilson could not be expected
to favor bill that would have barred
him from this country on account of
illiteracy when he as a youth sought
admission TO Il, penniless ana Hitter
ate. could not be expected to favor
such a measure. The president of the
United States does not favor IT, and
President Taft vetoed the bin when II
was presented TO him. because. as he
said In his veto message, il Is not the
illtefate immigrant. willing 10 work
with his hands and develop his brain.
who is such a menace To the interests
OF this country az Is the emigrant with
some education who has imbibed an
archistic theories and who comes here
with Just education enough to be OPP
posed 10 our forms Of government"
ON the other hand said Mr.. Fer
gusaon. let me point out some of the
things we have done for labor:
First The eight-hour bill, extend
ing the operations Of the eight-hour
law TO work done for the government
as well az To work done by the gov
eminent.
"second--the bill providing an
eight-honr day for all women en-
ployes in the District OF Columbia, q
jurisdiction over which congress has
complete power to act. This law Is
now in actual operation in the District
OF Columbia as an example for state
laws 90 follow,
Third The drcdge workers eight
hour bill. 90 remedy decision Of the
supreme court that men engaged In
dredging work in our rivers and har-
bors are not lahorers aud mechanics. |
but seamcn and therefore did not
come within the provisions of the
eight-hour law"
Some Of the hill Passed.
Mr Ferguson also pointed out the
passage OF the following additional la
Dor laws by the democrats in con-
gress. all OF them having his hearty |
support
An eight hour provision included In
the Qualifications bill TO apply to CT
villains engaged In the manufacture
OF ordnance and powder for the gov
eminent.
An eight-hour provision in the post
office appropriation bill for postaffice /
clerks and letter carriers.
S An eight shour provision in the ma
val appropriation bill making the
elrhI. hour NnrkdAY annIN 10 work. !