Speech #520014357

I think. is not understood by a large majority of gentlemen present. It is a subject which involves tremendous questions of oppressed labor in our large cities all along the seacoast and the remedies which may tend to settle some of them. The investigation may result in recommendations on the part of the committee for legislation in regard to restricting immigration. it may result in recommendations for legislation to prevent the spread of contagious diseases through the transportation. outside of the cities where they are manufactured. of articles of clothing. saddlery. and other such commodities which have been manufactured amidst the filth which necessarily goes with this tremendous "sweating system." Now. to give a committee of this House authority to institute the inquiries necessary. and to prosecute an investigation so farreaching as this must necessarily be. and then limit it in its expenditures to the sum of $1.000. seems to be an unusual and unnecessary proceeding. In the report of the Subcommittee on Manufactures to the full committee it was stated that it was the purpose of the committee to conduct every part of the investigation. if possible. in the city of Washington. and none of the committee are in favor of going away from here unless it shall be found absolutely essential for the purpose of giving to the House a thorough report and a full understanding of the subjectmatter involved. I hope. therefore. that the gentleman from Indiana will not insist upon undertaking to limit the amount to $1.000 for these expenditures. and I will assure the gentleman and the House that the committee itself will limit its expenditures as much under that thousand dollars as may be consistent with what they believe to be a thorough and complete investigation of this important question.