The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-26

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eral. and not local. there would probably be lit
tie cause for disturbance. If the proposition for
eight hours work should result in an increased
cost of production in Chicago, and hours OF labor
should not be general over the country, the man
ufacturers and producers or Chicago would be
placed at a disadvantage in comparison with
other cities. IL the proposition should become
general in the United States, and not in other
countries. the people of this country would be at
a disadvantage with manufacturers and pro-
ducerS of other countries in which the eight-hour
rule was not in force. The proposition for eight
hours for a days work means, practically, an IN
crease OF the cost OF production. lt means ~
per cent less time, and consequently 2O per cent.
increase in the cost of production as far as the
labor of men is concerned. If eight hours
means employment for the idle laborers OF the
country. which i very much doubt and an In
crease in the industries OF the country, 1t Will
not disturb the finances Of the country. If eight
hours for days work means decrease in the
industries of the country, it necessarily means
an injury to everybody, not excepting the la
borer himself. who will feel it as much as any
one in proportion
Mr.. Frazier. of the firm of D. B. Fish, whole
sale millinery, said he thought 1t would increase
the price of goods, and decrease the price of
labor 1t was question governed entirely by
the laws OF supply and demand. Less work
produced less goods, scarcity of goods Increased
their value. and as the workmen would work a
their services would be worth less.
Mr.. Warner, of Sprague. Warner 81 Co., said
Il the eight-hour rule became general
ne would be obliged to double
of work at present. Should the railway cor
porations adopt the system, the wholesalers
would be obliged to conform to it. The eight
hour question, he thought, would not have to be
settled by the wholesalers
Mr.. George Sturges. president Of the North
western National Bank, was asked what, If any
would be the effect Of the proposition for eight
hours work upon finances. II do not believe it
will have much effect upon capital said he;
MY belief is that the money problem is too well
settled just now to be unsettled by this move
ment'
Il have no objection to the eight-hour system. !"
saic M. ID. Wells. 'if it is to be universal but if
1t is a Chicago movement only, and affecting
only Chicago laborers, the community must snf-
fer. Capitalists. manufacturers and employers
cannot compete with other cities under such a
system Let ne illustrate by referring to my
own business. The boot and shoe trade In the
West is much more subject to competitive
influences than any other business for
the reason that Eastern manufact-
urers make the market Quite recently
manufacturers of Massachusetts, the controlling
influence in our business. agreed that fifty-nine
hours should constitute weeks work. Now
how can we, supplied mainly by Eastern tanners
with our leather, with active competition in
Eastern cities, hope to continue business and
pay the same wages for forty eight hours work
that others pay for fifty mine? We cannot do it.
Representatives of Eastern houses are in the
field anxious TO take our trade. Local manufact-
ures are not buying leather, at least such are
our advices.
''lf the eighthour movement becomes univer
sal, we'll and good; otherwise. we might as well
go out of business If it is to be confined to Chi
cago manufactures
b. w. Dodson, of the firm of Rathburn, Sard
& Co.. said ''On account of this advance in
wages and increased cost Of manufacture, an ad-
vance in prices would probably result, but should
ten hours pay be demanded for eight hours
work. the advance in prices that would necessa
rily have TO follow would be out of all proper
lion to the needs OF the country, and would
greatly retard, rather than stimulate, trade. The
effect might be disastrous to manufacturers"
ID. Mimbark said if the adoption was uni
form no harmful results to trade would follow
but if Chicago should reduce the laboring hours
of its employees to eight. while Cleveland and
other manufacturing centers still hold to ten
why, Chicago manufacturers would have to shut
down.
A. F. Seeberger collector of customs. said IT
do not think the eight-hour movement will ac-
complish the results that are expected of it by
its more enthusiastic supporters There are
many kinds of manufactures and industries In
which the adoption of the system will so unset
tie and disarrange business that the evil effects
will be felt throughout the country for some
time to come. Prices will necessarily
go up as a result of the movement il adopted,
and articles which even poor people must have
will be dearer than now L question the pru-
dence of the manner in which the question is
being agitated, because. while the system may
be good thing for employees in some branches
of business it is not needed in others. The agi-
tation, think, has tendency to create dissat-
isfaction in many places where no real cause for
dissatisfaction exists"