Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-10

resolution.
PROPOSED FINE FOR WORKING OVER HOURS.
Mr.. Gompers, representing the International
Cigar Makers union of New York city, said that
his trade suffered from the difficulties arising
from the women and children employed in this
industry, the convict labor system and the ten
ement house labor. They had also to contend
with the objections of the 'piece men," who
their interests. But the principle of the eight
nour DAY needed no argument in its behalf. Its
I'm was recognized by the best writers
order to put this principle into active operation
and overcome the opposition OF those laboring
fine of fifty cents for each hour worked over
eight hours would make it more expensive to
violate this regulation than to adhere to it. He
made, and he believed that BY an intelligent
presentation OF the matter the point could be
carried.
WOULD REDUCE THE WAGES ALSO
j. s. Rye. representing the Carpenters union
of Baltimore, said that there were over 5000
houses built in that city last year. There are
about 2, 1000 carpenters, and these houses were
Quilt In eight months; but If the eight hour law
was n iorce at least two thousand houses less
would have been erected. The shorter hours
would make more work, and instead of having
idle day $, there would be work days for the en-
tire year. He believed in reducing the wages
with the hours, and instead of receiving $3.50
per DAY OF ten hours they would get 50 for eight
hours. But he believed that in less than year
the wages would 60 back to the old figures.
MR.. OYSTERS IDEAS.
Mr.. E. w. Oyster, Of the Federation Of Labor
of this city, said that the typographical union
had secured the eighthour day in the govern
ment and private printing offices of this city in
1868. and their idea was thatif the government
set the example that private establishments
! would follow. But there had always been an
attempt on the part Of the government officials
new Pension building, which CHI ' was VI cone one
smpie Of the eyas,on e 81 ;nl, law an s sx.
had given. him. 40 instructions In this matter,
as their policy had been't allow each trade to
s saxe action snovr when they thought
union OF this city had OF their own accord in
augurated the. eight-hour day, making reduc-
being that the wages would go back to the old
figures as soon as all the idle workmen were
employed. In the opinion Of the speaker this
ployment 81 the Idle workmen. When there
was plenty of labor the employer could hold
pIoyment to the percentage that always t eNs S
In every trade OF men out OF work would
strengthen the workingmen in all the branches,
suit to be gained by the eight hour day. He
then said that even in the government printing
office there were men who worked twelve and
thought that the only way to prevent men
from working this extra time was to charge a
price-and-a-half Tor all time over eight hours.
offOSEO 10 THE RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Sharpe, from the tailors' union said that
he was opposed to this resolution. and his
reasons were that in his trade a large pro-
portion OF the men worked at their own
homes, and were unwilling to be restricted in
their time for completing their work, and then
again, their trade was one of seasons. People
bought clothes but twice year, and that
brought all the work into two portions of the
year. For these reasons the eight-hour day was
impracticable tor their trade, and he was CD
posed to the resolution while being in entire
sympathy with its spirit. and he hoped that the
time will come when the conditions of the
tailors trade would be more favorable to the
eight-hour day.
Mr.. GABRIEL EDMoNDsfoN,
of the carpenters and joiners' union, said that
this was not a legislative function, and he de-
MED the right of any legislative body, not COM
posed entirely Of wage-workers, to dictate how
much time he must expend in surrounding his
home with all the comforts of life. The f0unda-
ton OF government rests In the consent of the
governed, and IL majority of men to be affec-
tee by q law agree to 1t it will become by usage
q custom without surrendering any natural
eisht-hour day, and he hoped that the resoiu e
ton would be adopted.
ADVANTAGES OF THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY
Mr.. Tomson, representing the trades assem-.
bly, of Chicago said that he had received no
specific instructions, but nearly all the organi-
cations connected with the assembly had voted
in favor Of the eighthOur day. and therefore
he proposed to vote for the resolutions He
then went on to SPEAK OF the beneficial results
be gained to them for rest and thought and
study. He maintained that the history Of pro-
hours 81 iabors Increased the productiveness of
labor. He believed that the opposition on the
part Of capitalists to this law was tor the same
reason that some OF the crowned heads OF
Europe were opposed to q free and Independent
press. It contributed to the intelligence of the
aI and for the
ton would be adopted.
IN FAVOR OF THE MOVEMENT.
Mr.. Green, Of Louisville, who represents the
international typographical union, said that
his trade was not especially affected by this
cidc instructions. He was, however, in favor OF
the resolution and would vote for it.
Mr. Miller, .9f the German typosrsphical
English oficss and others in German, and they
therefore could not control their trade entirely,
int init the eiSht hour day, and he thought
that they would be able to do It in the Offices
over which they had control.
reply to an objection which he had heard that
the workingman would abuse the privilege
ths sns sIr Of
ted that seme might so abuse this privilege, but
the majority would not As may be seen any
a. Se s e the one
who goes 70 YORK at six O'CLOCK: The opPor-
Is taken advautage Of aud IL seen in the APP
pearance andfnental habits or the men. BE
thought that II the laborins organizations took
action In this respect that It would really be-
come the expression OF the senti-
ment Of the people Of the country
and have the effect Of the law. He saw
NO REASON ron A STRIKE
In carrying ont this resolution. II provided
for CONSULTATION With the employer, and IL some
of them did not greetottthe wofkingmen could
simply say that they would work only hours
and take the pay lbf eight hours. II the pay
was % Tor 10 hours than & would become $3.50