Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-01


already arranged programme is carried
out, will be celebrated throughout the
industrial world by more or less enthusi-
astic demonstration in behalf of the in
ternational labor movement. The move
ment, which was inaugurated by the In
ternational Labor Congress on July IA,
1889, embraces the following programme:
Limitation of the days labor to eight
kours; prohibition of labor by children
under fourteen years; limitation of a
days labor for women and for children
between II and 16 years to six hours;
prohibition of night labor except in en-
ployments which makes it necessary;
and an uninterrupted period of rest for
thirty-six hours in each week for all
laborers.
In order to make as profound an i'm
preston as possible it has been resolved
that on the lst of May the workingmen
of all industrial countries should solemn
ly bring the labor programme to the
attention of their respective Govern
ments. The Congress left to the work
ingmen of each country to determine
for themselves the character of the
demonstration; but the day will be gen.
orally observed by the labor organiza-
tions in the movement by a total sus-
pension of work.
In France and Germany and other in
dustrial countries on the Continent the
first thought of the labor organizations
is to invoke the initiative of Government.
In England and in this country, on the
other hand, Government is taken into
little consideration in workingmen's s
movements for reducing the hours of la
Dor or for the accomplishment of any
other social reform. Out of this radical
| differences has risen the necessity for es-
sential variations in the lst of May de-
monstration.
Throughout Germany the Socialists
will seize the occasion to make an impos-
ing manifestation of their strength.
Although the Government betrays some
uneasiness in regard to the movement,
no effort will be made to interfere
with the May-day professions. The
statesmen of Germany know full well
| that such interference with personal lib
erty would only tend to swell the ranks
of Socialism.
The workingmen of Paris will hold a
grand assemblage in the Champ de Mars,
and thence will send their resolves to the
Chamber of Deputies and the French
Ministry. In other cities of Europe sim
liar pressure will be brought to bear
upon Government in behalf of the labor
programme. The workingmen of this
country, on the contrary, seek only to at
tain their ends through freedom of COM
bination among themselves and freedom
of contract between employer and EN-.
ployed. Such is the contrast between the
methods of self-reliant freemen and the
dependent spirit which, by long habit
looks only to the Government machine
in every social dilemma.
Whatever may be the influence of this
May-day demonstration, social and eco
nomical conditions are too diverse to per
NIT of the immediate establishment of
uniform labor day of eight hours through
out the industrial world. Perhaps this
is not what the most sanguine of labor
leaders expect. Experience has showr
that so great change could not be eff
fected by any sudden and violent move.
ment. In some branches of industry il
would be much easier to shorten the
hours of labor than in others. In coun.
tries in which steam-power and labor.
saving machinery are in use men need not
work so long as in less progressive coun
tries. There are employments, too, il
which the strain upon the physical ener
gies is much greater than in others; anC
there are varying climatic conditions alsC
that prevent the immediate introduction
of hard and fast rule for days labor
But there is no doubt that the move
ment for shortening the hours of labor il
destined to meet with eventual success
In fact, though the battle must be wor
inch by inch, there is scarcely day tha
does not witness new conquest in some
part of the field of labor in this country
Already, in anticipation of the 1st o.
May, the working day has been reduced
to eight hours by agreement between EN-
ployers and employed in number of oc
cupations in which the conditions were
ripe for the movement. 1t is not by in
terpostion of the legislative arm, nor by
any other method of force, that reform
so indicative of social progress can be ac
complished. The same peaceful means
which have been invoked in the past fo
ameliorating the condition of labor ma,
be confidently depended upon now ant
in the future.
The Saturday Evening Gazette.
The New York Saturday Eceni,,t