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Show coxgiu:ss r no it toinur Washington, 1. At the closo of the executive session, the committee decidpd, by resolution, to sit daily and to hear such persons as may appear. ap-pear. Thomas Rock, who represented the elouemasous, wished the committee com-mittee to recommend that all government govern-ment work should be done by the people of the place iu which the government gov-ernment buildings are being erected. He spoke against the system of giving out contracts lor governmetit work, as contractors tn.idu profits which the government might cuve by employing ' workmen direct, lie did not intend to npply the rule to private individuals and would not advne government to regulate wages. Iu answer to the committee, he said the Chicago fire had brought many stonemasons in this country, but most of those had gone back again. Much of the want of employment has arisen Irom the use ol machinery, the sawing of stone beiug now done by machinery. During bard times the society has to wink at members working below full rales. If there was no machinery the society might compel men to work only for the wages fixed by the society. Mr. Rock asked that govern I ment Bhould not enforce the eight- hour law, and was answered that i government should enforce all laws jou the statute- book, Some discus sion ensued ou the advantages and :disadviutateB of the eight hour law, I in which Rock became often worsted, jan l one member of the social labor .union said his committee would be present to morrow, when many nues- tious cot fairly answered by Rock would bo answered to tie better aatirf iciion ol the committee and workingmen. Hu?b McGregor, one of a self constituted comm'utea, then addressed the committee on tho subject of government gov-ernment collecting statistics of the laboring classes, and 60 arranging them that they could be referred to. 1 The chairman thought McGregor should look over the census and see what was omitted and send his suggestions sug-gestions to the (superintendent of census. McGregor Baid it was the duty of the United States to examine into every manufactory, take test: mony under oath as lo the labor question, euquire into their sanatary condition and do everything necessary for the welfare of the laboring classes. McGrecor then charged that the use ot machinery was the cause of the lack of employment for men and said the mainttinance ol families now devolves on women and children rather than on meu. The committee asked McGregor il he was willing to takt; an oath as to the truth of what he BUlid and he answered he did not take an oath and did not buiie vt iu what was callid the l'Vjf livhig and (rue God. He was then auked bow he could expect government tu enforce upun others whtt tie had it fused to do force olrier-i to teolily as to the way they eouducteJ their private business. McGregor then retired and Justus Schwab, communist, said he would present his case to-morrow. The representa'ive of the graiiUe , cutlers attributed the depression in ' his trade to the contract system ami machinery ; said he was discharged Irom government work iu Albany for ventilating his views, and that men were kept at work there who weie not skilled workman and who were paid as much as skilled labor. Mi. Hereitt Baid if the witness would emboCy his statement in an affidavit he would forward it to St creUry Sherm in and have the mntlt r investigated. inves-tigated. The commiKee then adjourned tr.i-lil tr.i-lil I) morrow. |