New-York tribune., 1869-01-02
TIE EIGHrHOUR QUESTION.

THE SITUATION AT THE UNITED STATES ARMoRY
At SPRINGFIELD. MAsS.-THE DIFFICULTY ON
THE QUESTION OF PAY--THE WAGES IN AR
REARS FOR MONTHS.
lFRoM Az OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Dee 29.-The eight-houf
question is the chief topic Of interest and discussion
among the workmen at the United states Amory in this
City. Since tl' law making eight hours days
work went into operation at tins post. on
the 18th OF July last, it has been nm open question
whether full pay 70 bo given FOR eight hours.
whether the reduction of time and wages 70 be pro
portonal. That question 10 sin undecided aud all eyes
decision OF the controversy on the recepon OF nstrc-
tous from the Department tat eight hours were TO con
stitute days labor Col j. G. Benton, commanding tho
post issued orders that effect ard from July
August 20 work went on harm0nously under the new
Same wages as before for ten hours labor No doubt
entertained that such the intention OF Congress In
Rock Island, NJ took contrary view ana applied to
Gen. Dyer Chiet Of the Ordnance Bureau. for nsFoe-
tiOns. Gen Dyers construction OF the law. which was
approved by Secretary schohed, that W0FkInen
wished to perform ten hous labor IN each day they could
do 30 but must be credited on the roll
for extra labor Substantially similar Instructions
were transmitted to Col Benton in response to
all the armorers Who chose TO continue work until
o'clock M had Tie OpI9rtgnity BMs &c Few d m0Segr tSey
might uni4yoraby affect the decision which they e1.
sboud cot go toseher After brief experiment the new
system abandoned, the day ended " Oclock
p M me eXpraOh oi eighs @ %P'HE 10 nDSI m ,hIs 5ate
Last week however Col Benton issued general order.
that on and after New Years day. worncn who wished
might work ten hours each day and be credited on the
rolls with one day and quarter The lesnt VIII noyenV
be the prevailing opinion that the majority will decline
II and adhere to the cgLh0dr system and trust 10 Con-
gress to give them full pay for that time 49, -,
Tie controversy Oil the interpretation OF the law mas
given the arinorers serious trouble and IN many eSsespe
cuniary loss which they III afford The eight hour sys
TEN was not their asking they gladly accepeditn
blessing designed by the Government for the improve
ment OF its servants No doubt or question was enter
tained full pay at the Old rates DO continued
Since Ang 90 the question OF wages being IN dispute
many Of the wOrkmen have declined to receive pay ana
only until recently mas any money 6een dsDnrsea @ ,b 10y
of the Secretary OF war Tie reduction OF Pay must pe
made to correspond with that IN tne and orders were
recently issued pay tire fourhfths OF the usual
Some of them are receiving ths but nhGer pro
test that they have not been paid IN ful we others
decline TO accept any portion until iy Je GMttIes 1
The difference TO every workman y from t5 TO sle Inc
workmen have maintained The best spirit during all the
dispute, and have been temperate and moderate IN tng
action Not accepting the version OF Gen. Dyer as tle
Eyarts lis Official opinion but Up 18th OF
December official notice OF his decision nad peen re-
published in all the newspapers aud the previous ruling
OF the Secretary OF War continues in force The practical
degree and successful In the brief period Ia
which been tried the men have earned more money
than under tho old system During the time III which
full pay was given increased nearly 10 per cent OF
from 81 60 TO s. 80 per day. Less Time was
lost TO the Government ia sickness Of and in repair
ing OF maehnes than before ana the saving n Le lnpo
b. stopping the machinery and dismissng the workmen
at4 p M the expense for gas, which during the war
amounted $4,000 per quarter Is reduced 10 merely
nominal amount and hat for fuel is proportOnslly di-
ninished At present. when work stops at o'clock, tho
gas bills about 8 900 per quarter. wDlch would he
practically dispensed with under the eiRhhonr system
There Is also difficulty Ia the proposed plan or allowing
part OF tine do 10 hours work. while others 90 only
eight To keep the engines aud machinery running for
dozen or score OF wOrkucn is expensive TO the GOV
ernment as for the full complement and the double sys
ten will prove costly, not quite unsatisfactory ana
unsuccessful.
The Armory pay.rols which during the busy times Of
the bore 200 names, DO not now contain more than
325.