St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-05-02
THE EIGHT-HoUR MOVEMENT.

The Inauguration of the eight-hour agita-
ton at this time is no surprise Chicago is
the center of the movement and the an
nouncement was made from that source
{ some time ago that the 1st of May was the
time fixed to begin the experiment. So that
so far as the public is concerned there is no
occasion for surprise that the agitation has
commenced ON schedule time The time
which has interviewed between the date of
the announcement and the date of the be-
ginning of the movement has given the pub
lie an opportunity to reflect upon the mat
ter and to form wiser conclusions than
could have been formed if the agita-
ton had been suddenly sprung. Still
there has not been time enough
to consider it in all its details and with
special reference to the future of the labor
interests of the country. There are plenty
of people who believe that eight hours con-
tinuous toll is as much as should be re-
quired of any human being. The real prob
lem does not relate so much to the actual
reduction of the hours of labor, as it does
to how the extra time that is gained shall
be employed by the workingman, and as to
an equitable adjustment of wages. The
workingman himself must determine what
disposition shall be made of the
two hours gained by the reduction.
Unless that time is proftably en-
ployed he is loser by the
experiment he is making. The drudgery of
toll is blessing in comparison with idle
ness or time that is worse than wasted in
vicious pursuits. 1t is therefore incumbent
upon the laboring classes to devise and en-
force system whereby the two hours they
: gain shall be utilized for their own benefit
and for the benefit of society. This can be
done and doubtless will be DONE The most
difficult feature of the movement is that
which relates to the amount OF wages that
shall be paid for a days work of eight
! hours. If the workingmen insist upon the
same wages for eight hours that
] are paid for ten hours labor, then
! there must follow readjustment
of the prices of manufactured products
If this involves any considerable increase
there comes kick from the consumers
Thus we see how it is that movement
which is precipitated with one single
object in view may result in complications
that will finally result in disastrous conse-
quences to the orlginators of the movement
In the heated condition of the labor
element, and the soreness which prevails
in the circles of capital and
among operators, it is very diff
cult matter to secure settlement of
this question at this time that will be
either just or permanent. There is danger
of it degenerating into scuffie and trial
of strength between the conflicting parties,
instead of being met and discussed and set
tied in spirit of fairness and justice to all
parties concerned. If it is just that the
operators should make reduction of two
hours in days labor without correspond
Ing reduction of wages, then let it be DONE
Ii the demand of the laboring men that this
shall be done is unjust to the operators, the
demand should be withdrawn. The mere
fact that one party has the power to- reduce
the others into concession does not solve
the problem, nor does it relieve the future
of complications and embarrassments. The
eight hour issue is now forced upon the
country and both labor and capital should
exert an effort to have it settled once and
forever. 1t can't be done by strikes and