New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-13
EIGHT HOURS.


solved upon an organized struggle to make
ei pht hours the regular days work. 1t calls
upon all the wage-ea ners to engage in the
struggle. and it is evident that great number
Of them arc prepared to face serious sacrifices
in the contemplated effort If the workers arc
united. all know that they will have their way
But it is not yet clear how far they are united
nor is it clear whether the great body of wage
earners fully understand what it is that they
are about to ask. Free discussion on the sub
iect is therefore necessity. 1t is in the last de-
gree important for the men themselves and Tor
the public welfare, that prolonged and costly
struggle should be avoided If the change
which wage-earners desire is reasonable and
right then employers ought to assent to it with
out opposition. But if it is not reasonable If
it is not for the good of the community as
whole. then the wage-earners themselves ought
to appreciate the soundness Of the objections
raised
The purpose is not definitely stated in the
resolutions adopted by the Federation of Labor
Many of the wage-earners doubtless understand
that it is intended to ask a change in the hours
Of labor without a change in the wages paid.
II that is the purpose, it would be wise to state
the fact frankly The average rate of wages
now paid is not far from - per day For those
who work ten hours the average is about 20
cents per hour Should the same wages be paid
for eight hours work the average would be 20
cents per hour in this form the proposition
is to increase the wages Of labor by one-quar-
ter. Obviously a great change in the cost of
production must result, and so great change
ought not to be undertaken without full and
careful consideration. II is possible that in
some industries the incl eased cost could be
horne without serious loss But it is also pos
sble that in other branches of industry the
same change would involve fatal results; it
light bring ruin to many employers, and there
fore disaster TO great number of workers.
1t must be evident, moreover, that the question
is one which cannot be settled for all kinds of
industry upon exactly the same basis of reason
ing. The change in the cost Of production
which would he harmless in some might be most
disastrous in others, and even in each separate
industry the change might be possible for some
employers but not possible for others. 1t might
work no harm in some sections of the country
or in some cities or towns, and yet prove utterly
disastrous in others.
If it is the meaning of the resolution adopted
that the wage earners shall make an honest and
earnest effort to bring about the desired change
but with entire freedom for the workers in
every branch and in every locality to consider
the necessities Of their particular industry, and
the circumstances Of their employers, then the
fort is unObJectonable. But there is somo
reason to fear that the organization contem-
plates virtual coercion Of the workers them
selves, at least through the moral influence of
their associations. That would be unjust 10
them, unjust to the employers, and exceedingly
harmful to the public interest. Great progress
has already been attained in the interest of the
working people by striving in each section, city
or town, and in each branch Of industry by it.
self, to secure more satisfactory wages and
hours. But it has been found that the eight
hour arrangement has not in many cases been
attainable. Difficulties have arisen which the
worlngmen themselves have been obliged to
recognize as insuperablc. They have clearly
seen that ii would be disastrous to employers
and therefore disastrous 10 themselves, to mako
the change in their locality or in their Occupa-
ton There is some reason 10 fear that COM
bined effort is now contemplated for the pur-
pose Of compelling the workers themselves 70
disregard conditions and circumstances which
have hitherto restrained them from insisting
upon the change contemplated