The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-04-19
EIGHT HOURS.

Just now the eight-hours a-day movement
is active again. The American Federation
of Labor has issued an address in favor of
the proposition, and saying there are ,000,-
900 unemployed men in the United States
who would be glad to work, and that it
would be much cheaper 70 keep them en-
ployed than support them in idleness. Meet
ings in the interest of the movement are
being held in the large cities, and threats
are heard that unless there shall be a gen
eral compliance with the demand there will
soon occur strike of all wage-workers in
all parts of the country. The Chicago Globe
is publishing numerous letters and opinions
of prominent men on the subject, some
being favorable, others adverse, and good
many hating and non-committal. Some of
these may be reproduced with profit. Pres
ident H ARRIsON says:
lam in favor of anything that will conduce TO
the interests of the laborng classes and as be-
neye that an eight-hour day would give employ
meut 10 many that are now idle, II would seem
TO be desirable that full and free discussion OF
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
The politician, rather than the reasoner,
appears in this. the President being care
full not to offend those who vote. Judge
THOMAS NJ. COOLEY, chairman of the inter
state commerce commission. speaks with
less reserve. He says:
Having myself begun life with nothing and
worked my way up, all my sympathies are with
the laboring man, and when anything is clearly
for his benefit / desire TO see IL adopted. But
the superficial or partial views that are taken of
labor questions sometimes surprise me. l should
like nothing better than a full talk with any man
of intelligence on this question. In respect TO
this eighI-hour movement, have noticed no dis
cussion OF the effect Of the movement If success
fui in this country, would have on immigration:
but that it would give Immigration powerful
impetus can not doubt. All the DISCUSSIONS
/ have noticed have had IN mind only large
establishments employing large numbers OF
men and have overlooked small establishments
that have been built up by laborers themselves,
and most Of which have al they can do now to
'~aintain existence. / should be pleased at any
tim 10 look over she field with an intelligent
pec5On When l take such a survey should
exp ct to show that the wage-worker could not
sh rten the work day suddenly without great
mi chief and that he could not do II at all eX
cep rat the expense Of some desirable things
viii n would otherwise be within his reach. If !
am n error in this / should be greatly pleased
10 AVE the error shown.
Mr.. THOMAS GALLAGHER, Chicago mer-
chant. broadens the view Of the subject in
some respects, and narrows it in others.
He writes
may be permitted to say that, in my opinion,
the adoption OF the law, Of the system, is in
evitable as measure Of relief 10 the constantly
glutted labor market. Under cur present system
OF tariff taxation we have decided virtually 10
restrict our manufacturers to the supply CT our
own home trade. To do this eight hours per day
10. labor would suffice on the part OF American
operatives and more, too. AS conseqGen C, |
having decided that we shall only do certain re-
stricted amount of production it is easy 10 see |
that very limited time daily given for that pur-
pose viii suffice
1t looks badly indeed for the wOrkingman that