The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-23
THE ErGHT-HOUR LAW.
Extent OF the MISUNDERSTANDING of n Gen.
erai Strike Being Averted.


Phiadelphia Record
The movement among laborers throughout the
country in favor of constituting eight hours as a
full days work In all the trades is exciting great
attention In ali branches of industry. The adop-
ton OF eight hours the time of labor in gov
eminent departments laid the foundation for the
future agitation of the subject among laborers
Soon after the passage of the law a number of
miners in the Pennsylvania coal fields organized
a general strike, continuing, without any deAn-
lite results. for but brief period.
The subject then lay dormant until the meet
ing. in December 1884, of the National Fedora
ton of Trade Labor UNIONS of tho United
States and a, which assembled in Chicago
The eighth destlon was there discussed in
all its bear and a resolution was passed
urging all Ia and labor unions in this country
to give practical support to the movement. first
by urging on emf oyers the necessity and bene
fits of reduction 70 eight hours in the daily pes,
riod of labor, and advising the organizations, if
this method proved unsuccessful. to join in
certed action on May /. 1886, for the enforcement
Of the eight hour system.
According to the rules of the federation the
action of the central body was submitted for APP
prevail to the many subordinate branches
throughout the country. The Brownstone-cut
ters Association of New York. was the first
organization to make successful stand in
favor of the change, while the Baltimore
branch of the Granitecutters National Union z
made another successful demand for uniform
working time of nine hours day at So. 25 The
plumber of Washington took up the movements
soon fterward. and were granted nine-hour
working day, with eight hours on Saturday.
large number of trade organizations in this
city, members of the Central Labor Union
which is affiliated with the Federation of
Trades, passed resolutions indorsng the move
ment and providing for simultaneous action
for its enforcement on the 1st of next May.
While the general principles which act1ated
the agitation of the proposed reform were met
with the approval by all the labor organizations
of the country, there soon appeared decided
feeling in many quarters that the projected gen.
have greater chances of success if deferred until
more complete organization and better plans
secured The Knights of Labor were
among the friends of the measure who took this
view of the situation. The entire subject was
discussed at the last annual conference of the
Knights in Hamilton, Canada The delegates
declared against the general strike May on
the ground of inexpedency. This action of one
of the most powerful labor organizations in the
country naturally gave the movement consid-
cradle setback. as unanlmity among
all the labor unions throughout the country
was essential to the complete success of
the movement. 1t also said by influential
knights that the eight-hour system would not
be beneficial to many trades in their organize
tons. in which twelve and ten hours labor per
day the lowest limit attainable. Again. it
was said that work was obtainable in certain
trades only during certain seasons of the year,
longed. The argument also has been advanced
that piece workers would suffer from the change
The Cigar-makers International Union, however.
has determined to adhere to the original pro-
gramme and as preliminary step will demand.
on Jan. /, reduction to nine hours labor per
dav.
The Federation of Trade and Labor Unions at
its recent meeting il Washington, again dis
cussed the subject but opinion was divided on
the advsability of ordering general strike. A
resolution was finally passed approving the
eight-hour movement, but leaving to the various
trade organizations the option of striking on
May l. This disposition of the subject i'll the
opinion of leading labor organizers disposes of
the general strike on May !, although it is said
that agitation of the subject for future general
action will be continued.
David M. Pascoe, one of the most active labor
advocates in this city, speaking of the subject,
said that the great benefit which would follow
the general introduction OF the eght-hour sys-
tenn would be the immediate employment Of
thousands of men who are now upon the streets.
A reduction in wages may ensue, he said, but
this would speedily be followed by general ad
vance as the demand for labor increased.