Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-05
The Eight Hour Rule for Government
Employees.

The Eight Hour Rule for Government
Employees.
WHAT SECRETARY CHANDLER SAYS.
Secretary Chandler upon being questioned
this morning as to his opinion regard
ing the proposition contained In the legislative
appropriation bill to fix the working hours in the
different departments from $3.50 am. to 4:3O pm,
said that he thought the hours should be full
lowed the Secretaries and chief OF bureaus in the
metter; that when the clerks had performed the
work assigned them they should be allowed to go
better prepared for good days work than Ii kept
at their desks by arbitrary rules "You can't"
he said. make the hours for men who do
brain work, as you would for men who perform
manual labor. II 1t is necessary for the clerks to
stay at their desks from $3.50 to 4:sO the men can
rest when their work is over. He thought, how
ever, that arguments which might apply to his de-
partment, with only l6O clerks, might not apply
that reason he thought some discretion should be
allowed the heads Of the departments.
WHAT SECRETARY FOLGER SAYS.
Secretary Folger said that he had not written a
letter to the chairman of the subcommittee in
charge OF the bill recommending that the hours be
nxed at 9 a. m. to p. m.. as reported, nor did he
intend so to do. He thought, however, that those
hours would be preferable to those chosen-rrom
s:so to 4;so He had, he said. intended to send
to the hours OF labor, but the action OF Congress
had had rendered % EDS such action unnecessary Since
endeavorlng. to reconcile the rules which
isw l,,.. %s'en has e0 sssn ~'e nee
eight hours in the winter and ten in the summer;
but find that since 1874 the rules have required
the the, hours OF Of labor to be from until 4 Congress
will place Its own construction on the law, and do
away With any action on my part"
SECRETARY LINCOLN
was not at his desk. Adjutant General Drum said
that the change Of hours was an experiment, Of
the success OF which he was very doubtful. His
experience had been that a good faithful clerk
would do all the work he ought to do from am.
until pm, and II worked longer than that he
would be apt to be inaccurate. and he considered
accuracy OF more consequence than the amount
OF work performed
WHAT SECRETARY TELLER SAYS.
A reporter Of The STAR asked Secretary Teller
this morning his opinion Of the proposed increase
In the Official hours in the government depart
mentS.
: II see no objection to the proposed increase"
come law the hours would not be- as long as I
spend here every day. l seldom leave before s
o'clock and generally come back to the Office at
.Do you nnd that these long hours impair your
efficiency?" asked the reporter, thinking Of John
ssThat is all nonsense. was the resnnnse IA
without injury have been doing il FOR years
continued the Secretary, turning 60 the Commits
sioner OF Indian Affairs, who just entered the
room. -
ayes, quite agree with you. i have worked
eighteen hours day as clerk myself, and have
not had s0ftening OF the brain.n -
ut Is not the ss WORK. concluded1he SECRETARY,
down here In Washington" -. = -
ANOTHER OPINION.
Commissioner Mcfarland, OF the General Land
ofice, says that to ''reauire OF ali clerks such
hours OF labor as may be deemed necessary for
fho
less" &C., will operate severely on fho clerks in
his bureau. He Is quite certain that fweave hours
labor each day OF his present force viii not prop
this blu should pass there win be saving OF time
as 70 nse as tness na win ssident be no more
eipht hours minimum with liberal ssnoonspell.n
and Is particularly pleased with monthly In
stead OF mi-monthly payments