VOLUMES I, II, III, AND IV, and part of VOLUME V, TESTIMONY; MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. 48TH CONGRESS. HENRY W. BLAIR, of New Hampshire, CHAIRMAN; WILLIAM MAHONE, of Virginia; WARNER MILLER, of New York; NELSON W. ALDRICH, of Rhode Island; THOMAS M. BOWEN, of Colorado; JAMES Z. GEORGE, of Mississippi; WILKINSON CALL, of Florida; JAMES L. PUGH, of Alabama; JAMES B. GROOME, of Maryland. VOLUME I-Testimony. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1885. REW 33 127128 15 Dec 550. HARVARD From the Library of Senates Nelsonky. Aldrich G TESTIMONY AS TO THE RELATIONS BETWEEN LABOR AND CAPITAL, TAKEN BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR. The committee met at 10 a. m. Mr. George. WASHINGTON, February 5, 1883. Present, the chairman, Mr. Blair, and The CHAIRMAN. We have met this morning to proceed with the investigation directed by the Senate in the following resolution: Resolved, That the Coinmittee on Education and Labor is hereby authorized and directed to take into consideration the subject of the relations between labor and capital, the wages and hours of labor, the condition of the laboring classes in the United States, and their relative condition and wages as compared with similar classes abroad, and to inquire into the division of labor and capital of their joint productions in the United States; also, the subject of labor strikes, and to inquire into the causes thereof and the agencies producing the same; and to report what legislation should be adopted to modify or remove such causes and provide against their continuance or recurrence, as well as any other legislation calculated to promote harmonious relations between capitalists and laborers, and the interests of both, by the improvement of the condition of the industrial classes of the United States. Second. Said committee shall have leave to sit in vacation, and by sub-committees to visit such places in the United States as they may deem proper, to obtain necessary information under these resolutions; and said committee or sub-committees shall have power to send for persons and papers, to administer oaths, and to examine persons under oath or otherwise, and to cause depositions to be taken and certified under such regulations as they may adopt. Third. Said committee shall have power to appoint a clerk, at a salary of $6 a day, and to employ such stenographic aid as may be necessary, and to appoint a sergeantat-arms from the officers or employés of the Senate; and the actual and necessary expenses of said committees, properly incurred in the execution of these resolutions, shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the Senate. WASHINGTON, February 6, 1883. ROBERT D. LAYTON, Sworn and examined. By the CHAIRMAN: Question. Where do you reside ?-Answer. In Pittsburgh, Pa. Q. Are you connected with any of the labor organizations of the country? If so, please state what your connection is, and with what organization.-A. I am connected with the Knights of Labor of North America; I am the Grand Secretary of that order. Q. What is the extent of that organization? Does it include only this country, or does it extend to any territory outside of the United 1 c (5 LAW) States -A. Our organization extends over the United States and Canada. Q. Without asking you to go into any matters which you may think proper not to mention here, I will ask you to give us, if you please, a general idea of the objects, purposes, and extent of the organization known as the Knights of Labor of North America. Make the statement in your own way, and as fully as you see fit.-A. Perhaps I can give it to you more fully and more accurately by referring to a pamphlet which I have here, which sets forth our aims and objects and what we hope nltimately to achieve. Mr. GEORGE. Is that an authoritative statement? The WITNESS. Yes, sir; I will read the preamble. Our objects are, as stated in this Preamble: I. To bring within the folds of organization every department of productive industry, making knowledge a standpoint for action, and industrial, moral worth, not wealth, the true standard of individual and national greatness. II. To secure to the toilers a proper share of the wealth that they create; more of the leisure that rightfully belongs to them; more society advantages; more of the benefits, privileges, and emoluments of the world; in a word, all those rights and privileges necessary to make them capable of enjoying, appreciating, defending, and perpetuating the blessings of good government. III. To arrive at the true condition of the producing masses in their educational, moral, and financial condition by demanding from the various Governments the establishment of Bureaus of labor statistics. IV. The establishment of co-operative institutions, productive and distributive. V. The reserving of the public lands-the heritage of the people-for the actual settler; not another acre for railroads or speculators. VI. The abrogation of all laws that do not bear equally upon capital and labor; the removal of unjust technicalities, delays, and discrimination in the administration of justice; and the adopting of measures providing for the health and safety of those engaged in mining, manufacturing, or building pursuits. VII. The enactment of laws to compel chartered corporations to pay their employés weekly, in full, for labor performed during the preceding week, in the lawful money of the country. VIII. The enactment of laws giving mechanics and laborers a first lien on their work for their full wages. IX. The abolishment of the contract system on national, State, and municipal work. X. The substitution of arbitration for strikes, whenever and wherever employers and employés are willing to meet on equitable grounds. XI. The prohibition of the employment of children in workshops, mines, factories, &c., before attaining their fourteenth year. XII. To abolish the system of letting out by contract the labor of convicts in our prisons and reformatory institutions. XIII. To secure for both sexes equal pay for equal work. XIV. The reduction of the hours of labor to eight per day, so that the laborers may have more time for social enjoyment and intellectual improvement, and be enabled to reap the advantages conferred by the labor-saving machinery which their brains have created. XV. To prevail upon Governments to establish a purely national circulating medium, issued directly to the people, without the intervention of any system of banking corporations, which money shall be a legal tender in payment of all debts, public and private. By the CHAIRMAN: Q. Is that a secret organization?-A. It is. Q. How long has it existed?-A. Thirteen years. Q. Is it original in this country, or is it an offshoot from a like institution elsewhere?-A. It is original in this country. Q. Where was it organized?-A. In Philadelphia, Pa. Q. Please state whether there are sub-organizations in the different States, and go on and describe the organization fully, as my original question contemplated.-A. The organization originated in Philadel |