Mr. LAWTON. We have not made any this fall, but we tried that, and it does not ork successfully. Mr. RAKER. Are there not lots of men in Chicago just barely subsisting from morning night? Mr. LAWTON. They will go down in the mine one day, and will not the next. They ill quit the job. Take the workers that three of the mining companies got in from inneapolis in the past 60 days, and out of that number more than half quit the econd week. Mr. RAKER. What about the men with a family that are just living from hand to outh, huddled up in New York and other places; for instance, a man with a wife nd children might do good work if you put them there. Mr. LAWTON. I do not know if they would. They could do good work, they could ave. Mr. RAKER. You have not made any effort to find out? Mr. LAWTON. We did a few years and those efforts were not successful. They did ot like it. They wanted to be on top of the ground. Mr. RAKER. From the immigrants that came over in the last three years, there is nly an infinitesimal per cent that left these large cities. You did not get any of hem. How are you going to arrange it? Mr. LAWTON. Keep those fellows back. We do not want you to bring those men ver. The CHAIRMAN. Can you devise any plan by which the United States can prevent ny other countries playing a considerable part in pushing out people more or less andesirable to those countries on the United States, and, at the same time, let us elect some common labor? Mr. LAWTON. We examine men that join the United States Army. We take the nen that we want for the Army or the Navy, and we do in citizenship. They look a man up very carefully. Mr. RAKER. You have not examined their method of naturalization in New York, have you, when they pick them out carefully for citizenship. Mr. LAWTON. No, sir. Mr. RAKER. Some of the committee saw the naturalization, and they put through 125 in 90 minutes. Mr. WHITE. Does he understand it to be naturalization or admission of them? Mr. WILSON. It was naturalization. Mr. RAKER. I want to get the matter of selection before you. The CHAIRMAN. I think that is about all. Mr. LAWTON. Here are some telegrams and papers that I would like to put in. statement. (The telegrams and papers referred to are as follows:) SWABY L. LAWTON, Washington, D. C.: HANCOCK, MICH., January 3, 1923. I believe the most favored clause in the immigration law should be granted to common labor as is now given to skilled and professional labor, so that we can get in the men we need. A large number of train crews have been taken off here and these men compelled to resume common labor. Give us 5,000 common laborers to work our mines, and we will put more than 1,000 skilled laborers back on their jobs. SWABY L. LAWTON, over. Washington, D. C.: JOHN C. JEFFERY. HANCOCK, MICH., January 2, 1923. Make immigration law so that common labor can afford to have a ticket and come We have enough now of candy-kitchen and fruit-store keepers. We need the class who want to work on farms, in mines, and do common labor. Make the law so that our Government can select the kind we want and get the good ones, and let the others stay over there. JOHN H. JASBERG. SWABY L. LAWTON, Washington, D. C.: HANCOCK, MICH., January 3, 1935. This district needs 5,000 men to work in mines. To increase the output, ther room for another 5.000 besides if mines run full capacity. Practically all und ground workmen are of foreign birth. American born will not look for these jo Work is held up for lack of these men. Common labor from Europe of the desir type is best class of citizenship we have here and who have saved up fortunes. G the common labor of the desirable type in Europe a chance and let the employes labor, through the Government agencies, hire them and send tickets over for the and have them examined by the Government before they come. Please tell t to committee for me. EDWARD M. LIEBLEIN, Wholesale Groo SWABY L. LAWTON, Washington, D. C.: LAKE LINDEN, MICH., January 2, 1923. Am mailing you copy of resolution passed by our chamber of commerce. Resol tion recommends changes in the immigration law giving common labor same righ and privileges of entrance into this country as are now accorded to skilled labor a professional labor. SAMUEL EDDY. HANCOCK, MICH.. December 30, 1922. Hon. ALBERT JOHNSON, Chairman of Committee on Immigration, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. JOHNSON: Inclosed find copy of a resolution which our chamber commerce duly passed on December 29, in which we petition and recommend suc changes in the law as will admit a larger number of common laborers of a desirable class into this country. The present immigration law as we understand does not wors out satisfactorily. We believe all our consulates in the foreign countries should be equipped as agencie of the United States so that information can be obtained by all foreigners in regar to their rights and privileges of entering into our country and becoming bona fide residents here, and such men should be examined and inquired into by our foreig agencies before they come, and assistance should be rendered them if they are desira ble and we can admit them to advanatge in this country. We have a system now by which we look men over carefully before they are admitted as citizens, the same is true before they can enter the United States Army or Navy. Why should not a similar system prevail in regard to immigration? There is a great shortage of common labor and we believe this labor is absolutely necessary to assist skilled labor and to build up greater wealth for this Nation, to increase our exports, and to add to the total wealth of the entire world which is fundamental to prosperity. With highest personal regards to you, we remain, DANIEL FISHER, Secretary. RESOLUTION OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE CITY OF HANCOCK, MICH. Whereas it appears to the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Hancock that the Committee on Immigration of the United States Congress now in session at Wash ington will hold a hearing on January 3 and 4 next to consider amendments to the present immigration law with the view of permitting entrance into this country of a larger number of common laborers of desirable type: Therefore be it Resolved by this chamber of commerce, That we petition this committee of Congress to amend the immigration law so as to permit entrance into this country of a larger number of common laborers of the desirable class, men who desire to work in the mines of this district and who will become settlers and residents of this district with their wives and families, and in connection therewith and in furtherance of that end, provide regulations and means of the agencies of our Government to examine immigrants in foreign countries and aid and encourage their coming into this coun v, also to give to common labor of a desirable class, namely, such labor who have od intentions and credentials of becoming bona fide residents of this country and esire to take up work in the mines, farms, and industries where needed, the same ghts and privileges of entrance into this country as are now accorded to skilled bor and professional labor. The number of men employed by the copper mining companies in 1914 in this istrict of Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties was approximately 15,000; -day it is approximately 5,000 men. The labor shortage in the past two years has aused many of the copper mines of this county to close down because the small utput made the cost prohibitive. If these mines are to run at full capacity this istrict will require 10,000 additional men; and be it further Resolved, That we instruct our Congressman from this district, Hon. W. Frank ames, and our United States Senators, Hon. Charles E. Townsend and Hon. James ouzens, to use all lawful means to the securing of legislation along the lines indicated n this resolution; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to our accredited Representatives a the United States Congress; and be it further Resolved, That Swaby L. Lawton, a member of our chamber of commerce, be ppointed and delegated as representative of this chamber of commrce to appear nd take part in said hearing. I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of a resolution duly assed by the directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Hancock, Houghon County, Mich., held on the 29th day of December A. D. 1922. Approved by: DANIEL FISHER, Secretary Hancock Chamber of Commerce. PAUL J. RUPPE, President. RESOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCE OF THE VILLAGE OF HOUGHTON. Whereas it appears to the Association of Commerce of the village of Houghton that the Committee on Immigration of the United States Congress, now in session at Washington, will held a hearing on January 3 and 4 next to consider amendments to the present immigration law with the view of permitting entrance into this country of a larger number of common laborers of desirable type: Therefore be it Resolved by this association of commerce, That we petition this committee of Congress to amend the immigration law so as to permit entrance into this country of a larger number of common laborers of the desirable class, men who desire to work in the mines of this district and who will become settlers and residents of this district with their wives and families, and in connection therewith and in furtherance of that end, provide regulations and means of the agencies of our Government to examine immigrants in foreign countries and aid and encourage their coming into this country, also to give to common labor of a desirable class, namely, such labor who have good intentions and credentials of becoming bona fide residents of this country and desire to take up work in the mines, farms, and industries where needed, the same rights and privileges of entrance into this country as are now accorded to skilled labor and professional labor. The number of men employed by the copper-mining companies in 1914 in this district of Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties, was approximately 15,000; to-day it is approximately 5,000 men. The labor shortage in the past two years has caused many of the copper mines of this country to close down because the small output made the cost prohibitive. If these mines are to run at full capacity this district will require 10,000 additional men; and be it further Resolved, That we instruct our Congressman from this district, Hon. W. Frank James, and our United States Senators, Hon. Charles E. Townsend and Hon. James Couzens, to use all lawful means to the securing of legislation along the lines indicated in this resolution; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to our accredited Representatives in the United States Congress. I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of a resolution duly passed by the executive committee of the Association of Commerce of the village of Houghton, Houghton County, Mich., held on the 30th day of December, A. D. 1922. Approved by: WM. DUFFNEY, Secretary Houghton Association of Commerce. JAMES R. DEE, President. RESOLUTION OF THE TORCH LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF LAKE LINDEN, MIC Whereas it appears to the chamber of commerce that the Committee on Immigrati of the United States Congress, now in session at Washington, will hold a hearing January 3 and 4 next to consider amendments to the present immigration law w a view of permitting entrance into this country of a larger number of common labor of desirable type: Therefore be it Resolved by this chamber of commerce, That we petition this committee of Congress amend the immigration law so as to permit entrance into this country of a lar number of common laborers of the desirable class, men who desire to work in the mi of this district and who will become settlers and residents of this district with the wives and families, and in connection therewith, and in furtherance of that en provide regulations and means of the agencies of our Government to examine i migrants in foreign countries and aid and encourage their coming into this countr! also to give to common labor of a desirable class, namely, such labor who have go intentions and credentials of becoming bona fide residents of this country and des to take up work in the mines, farms, and industries where needed, the same rights a privileges of entrance into this country as are now accorded to skilled labor and pr fessional labor. The number of men employed by the copper-mining companies in 1914 in the district of Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties, was approximately 15,00 to-day it is approximately 5,000 men. The labor shortage in the past two years h caused many of the copper mines of this country to close down because the sma output made the cost prohibitive. If these mines are to run at full capacity the district will require 10,000 additional men; and be it further Resolved, That we request our Congressman from this district, Hon. W. Frank James and our United States Senators, Hon. Charles E. Townsend and Hon. James Couzens to use all lawful means to the securing of legislation along the lines indicated in the resolution; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to our accredited Representatives in the United States Congress. I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of a resolution duly passed by the directors of the Torch Lake Chamber of Commerce of Lake Linder, Houghton County, Mich., at a meeting held on the 2d day of January, A. D. 1923. R. E. ODGERS, Secretary Torch Lake Chamber of Commerce. Approved by: SAMUEL EDDY, President. STATEMENT OF MR. WILLIAM N. RUNNING, WASHINGTON, D. C. The CHAIRMAN. Your name is what? Mr. RUNNING. William N. Running. The CHAIRMAN. Your residence? Mr. RUNNING. 620 G Street NE., journeyman tailor. The CHAIRMAN. Have you heard the evidence presented here this morning in regard to certain tailors? Mr. RUNNING. Yes; I heard it. The CHAIRMAN. Have you a statement to make? Mr. RUNNING. I have seen no shortage of tailors, I should say, for the last six months. Our trade, Mr. Chairman, is a season trade. You can take the month of October and November in the fall and the trade is pretty busy. In the spring the trade or the majority of it is ordered in April or May; that is, custom tailoring, fine tailored clothes, such as you gentlemen wear. Take the other eight months and our tailors will work half the time, especially four months. Take January and February and they work three days a week. July and August, as a general thing, when everyone leaves town, the tailors walk around and press brick, and he has very little to do, and so far as I can see. I really believe that the supply of tailors at the present time this season, especially is a great deal greater than the demand because reports from Chicago, New York, Boston, Buffalo, and several other towns indicate that you will always find men walking around looking for work; in fact, I have had them come into this town every week this season, and there is no time in Washington that I could not have supplied from five to six more men than there were jobs for. Of course, these men are in the merchant tailoring business, and are real good ilors. Real good tailors are very scarce, because they are dying off and nobody earns the trade. Mr. Box. Why do they not learn the trade? Mr. RUNNING. On account of conditions. Mr. Box. What conditions? Mr. RUNNING. In Washington, here, there is not a good merchant tailor in town hat has a shop where a boy can learn the trade. The CHAIRMAN. That is to say, the job is taken in and it is farmed out? Mr. RUNNING. It is all farmed out. The workman must supply a shop of his own, or ake his dining room, bedroom, or bathroom and make a shop out of it, and do the work for the merchant tailors. We have been fighting for years to have merchant ailors to open shops, and they will not do so. Go into some of the finest stores in town, where you will pay $95 to $175 for a suit of clothes, according to the grade of suit. If you want a dress suit, it will cost $175. That dress coat will be sent to a man in Georgeown, working in one of his spare bedrooms, or Anacostia, Berwyn, or sometimes to a ellow in Great Falls. Now, the American boys will not learn the trade, for they will not work at home in a bedroom or a bathroom, and I do not blame them. Last August Captain White of the Veterans' Bureau took the question up with me to see if he could place about 7 or 8 or 10 soldiers, who had just returned from France, to put them in a shop and learn the trade, but he said they must learn the trade thoroughly; they would have to be tailors, and the tailor is a man who can make a full garment. The man from New York to-day was giving you a line of their class of tailoring, which is not tailoring. It is a section system, and when Captain White found that was the system used in Washington, he said that he would not place any of his men there, because the man must be made a thorough mechanic. He called upon merchant tailors, and could find no shops. They said they could not afford to pay the rent for the shops, so if a man wants to work at our trade he must be able to rent a shop of his own or give one of his rooms for a shop. If a man wants a fall suit, he orders it in October or November; and if he wants a spring suit, he orders it in April or May. That is the rush of trade, and some employees think if they have one other coat to make they should have an extra man, even if the man in a month will stand on a street looking for a job. Mr. Box. What wages prevail here? Mr. RUNNING. $33 minimum. Mr. Box. What does a man working in the tailoring business receive? Mr. RUNNING. He can make $33 to probably $42 a week. If a man works eight hours at price work he can make $36. If he works eight hours a day he makes $36 a week. Some of these men are compelled to work all night, because if an employer sends a coat to try on on Friday afternoon, it must be finished up by Saturday. Some tailors in October and November will work 18 or 20 hours a day. The same conditions apply in April or May. This thing could be avoided if the employer had his own shop, but they have no shop. Mr. RAKER. Your description of a tailor is not the description the gentleman described this morning, who only does piece work. A tailor is a man who can fit, cut, and make the entire suit, and it a princely looking garment. Mr. RUNNING. It takes 22 people to construct the garment this gentleman was talking about The CHAIRMAN. One man fits the collar, for instance? Mr. RUNNING. Each make their individual part. They are considered sewing people. If a boy learns, he only learns a part, and will never become a mechanic. Our trade to-day is the same as custom shoe making, because no one will learn the trade. The CHAIRMAN. The boy senses that thing coming and declines to be an apprentice? Mr. RUNNING. He gets such an example at home of his father working in a bedroom, working sometimes from 6 o'clock in the morning until 1 o'clock the next morning, that he gets scared of the trade, and I do not blame him. Mr. RAKER. If the tailor has his own establishment, is it a very nice kind of work? Mr. RUNNING. It is one of the finest trades in the world, and one of the hardest to learn. Mr. RAKER. The profit is fine? Mr. RUNNING. Yes; the majority of our merchant tailors, who only employ four or five men make a lot of money. Mr. RAKER. A man can be a citizen among citizens, own his own house and provide well for his family. |