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Show A SCRAMBLE FOR OFFICE. Lots of m Anxious to Serve on the Labor Committee. Washington, December . 15. The Speaker has received over one hundred, applications from members of the House for positions on the labor committee. This committee in the last Congress was composed of seven members, . ex-Representative Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, being its chairman. The other members were O'Neill, of Missouri, Foran, of Ohio, Lovering, of Massachusetts, James, of New York, Haynes, of New Hampshire, and Funston, of Kansas. It is proposed. to increase the membership to thirteen. As Mr. Hopkins has retired from public life, Mr. O'Neill hopes to be his successor suc-cessor as chairman of this committee. The great number of applications for membership member-ship oij this committee shows how deeply the politicians regard the INFLUENCE AND STRENGTH OF THE LABOB VOTES. It is intended that this committee shall be organized with more care than ever before, as it is expected' that very important subjects sub-jects will be brought to its consideration. A bill has been prepared by Representative Weaver of Iowa to create a department of labor, with a secretary and assistant secretary. secre-tary. A similar bill was introduced in the last Congress, but it failed of passage. Mr. Weaver proposes that this department shall acquire and diffuse among the people useful information on subjects connected with labor; ASCERTAIN THE CAUSES OF DISCONTENT Between employers and employees where such exist, and recommend proper methods for adjusting differences. Annual reports from the Secretary are required, showing the condition of labor throughout the United States, and if laborers are suffering any evils as the result of injudicious legislation, and a statement of all strikes that have taken place, with the claims of both parties to the controversy. Sworn statements from employers em-ployers are to be required showing the wages paid by them, and the profits realized from actual cash capital invested, exclusive of watered or fictitious stock. The present Bu-. reau of Labor Statisties is to be merged into this new Department. |