The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-07 00:00:00

10 7-16
264

SHORT TIME.

Mr. Eccles, a manufacturer in the neighbourhood of
Blackburn, who is favourably disposed to the Short
Time Bill, and who has been trying the experiment of
working eleven hours instead of twelve, communicates
the following to the Blackburn Standard as the result:—
" I find that the result of my late trial of working
eleven in place of twelve hours, is exactly the same as
that of Messrs. Horrocks, Miller, and Co., of Preston;
and also of Messrs. Greggs, of Bollington—say a loss of
7i per cent. of work.

sow, I am bound to say that this is a much greater
loss than I expected, or than I was led to believe, would
be the result, both from past experience (as referred to
in my former letter), and from the conviction of those in
my employ who were desirous of trying the plan.
" I may explain to you that my machinery is now
all on the self- acting principle, and is consequently
moved by the steam-engine, and therefore is much less
dependent on manual labour than the hand-mules ; and
it was to these I had reference in my former address.
" Allusion has often been made to Messrs. Gardner's
works, of Preston—(l believe a well-conducted and very
orderly establishment)—but, it I mistake not, there are
no self actors there at all. Now, it is well known, that
the cost and fixing of self-acting mules is nearly, if
not quite, double that of hand mules ;land they dispense
with, what will be acknowledged by all persons conver-
sant with the matter, the most arduous employment in
cotton-mills.
" It is quite clear, therefore, that this great addi-
tional outlay must be employed, in order to produce a
fair return for the capital laid out. Of course, if I
could 11,4 produce the usual quantity of work, the piece
hands could Not get the same wages, and the loss tome,
in paying the usual standing wages to all daily hands,
managers, and book-keepers, and others, was much more
than any prudent man could submit to, especially in
times like the present, which, I am sorry to say, have
nut improved since my last letter was written.
" The loss in spinning was greater than in weaving,
but in consequence of starting some new looms, and
altering others, at the time, I could not draw a fair com-
parison of the difference.

" As to the real merits of the principle, I am still of
opinion that it is exceedingly desirable to abridge the
hours of factory labour, if prcticable ; and I sincerely
trust that if the present measures of Government are
carried out ; and other restrictions and high duties,
such as those on sugar, &c., &c., and the nearly 300 per
cent. duty on teas are reduced, and manufacturers can
have a fair chance of exchanging their productions, on
a solid and legitimate basis, with other countries ;
that then many of them would gladly curtail the hours
of labour.

It is not possible for a few scattered individuals to
accomplish this object, however desirous they may be ;
but I do not regret having given it a trial.
" I might also add, were it necessary, that having a
large quantity of yarn to buy at the present time, it
seemed somewhat strange purchasing yarn by manual
labour of twelve hours per day, and my own self-actors
standing, after working only eleven hours, and not
having produced the quantity I anticipated.
" On returning again to twelve hours, I caused the
following notice to be read in my mills:—
" It would have been a source of great pleasure to
me to have continued the plan of short time, but I find
that there is a much greater diminution of work than I
expected or believed would be the case.
" As a natural consequence of this I could not meet
other manufacturers in the market on the same terms,
unless the wages were reduced, and this I should not
like to have done.
" • Whenever the feeling shall become general to re-
duce the hours of labour to eleven hours a day, I shall
be very glad to do it.'

" I am, yours, very respectfully,
" JOSEPH ECCLES."

" Mill Hill, 23rd April, 1846.

WEEKLY STE AM MAILS BE.
TWEEN FRANCE AND AMERICA.

ding the convey-
America, which
since of mails by steam munentrtyreagnard
gratification by the whole community. The
will be hailed with
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Government haveentßereeydalinLoaail further
Company,ue
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with the British
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and North American
to
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IbTe d
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atehed direct from Liverpool to New York every alternate
Saturday during eight months of the year. These trips are to he
perforated as additional voyages, and irrespective of the fort-
wooly voyages to Halifax and Boston, as this latter service will
continue jest as at present, with the alteration of sailing from Liver-
pool as well as from Boston always on Saturdays, Instead of a fixed
day of the month, as at present. The steamers to New York will
also take their departures always on Saturday. By this arrange-
ment there will be a steamer from Liverpool to America every
Saturday, and from the American side also every Saturday, the only
difference being that Boston and New York will alternately be the
ports of departure. At present we are not enabled to state the
precise time when these weekly sailings will commence, but no doubt
we may look for the alteration to come into play as soon as the re-
quired number of ships can be got ready to undertake such a vast
service.
This bridging of the Atlantic by steam is one of the wisest and
best undertakings of the Government. The mercantile world will
reap immense advantages from it ; and who can estimate its im-
portance to the multitudes emigrating, and having connexions in the
western world ? In thus taking this importnnt movement in ocean
steaming, the Government have anticipated the wishes of the
merchants of Great Britain and America. A stir was about being
made earnestly to press this matter on the Government ; and it is a
subject of greater congratulation that It is voluntarily done, and that
the duty of carrying out the mighty enterprise has devolved bn the
parties who, from the very first, have shown themselves equal to the
necessities of the case. The past doings of the British and North
American Royal Mail Company are a sure guarantee that anytiextra
service will be carried out in the most complete an effective manner.

The Lot d Mayor will give a grand entertainment to
the Bishops and other dignitaries of the Church, and their lactic s, in
the Egyptiaa-hall of the Mansion-house to-day.