The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-01-24
Is EIGHT HOURS ENOUGH
VIEWS AS TO THE DEsIRABILITY OF A
SHORTER WORK DAY.

Il
| SHORTER WORK DAY.
1. Should the working people of
onr country be required to work more
than eight hours per day?
q ~What would in your opinion be
the effect of the general reduction Of
the hours of labor TO eight per day
upon manhood, independence and
citizenship of our people, the body
polite of our country
Samuel Gompers, President of the
American Federation of Labor, a
month ago addressed circular con-
tanning these. questions to President
Harrison, members of Congress, mer-
chants, professors, clergymen and
other prominent men. During the
past week replies have been received,
among them being one from President
Harrison's private secretary, Mr.. Hal
ford. in which he tells Mr.. Gompers
that he will find in the Presidents
public speeches full and accurate ex-
preston of his views on the questions.
But in the Presidents present relation
to the public service the impropriety
of his making any further statement
is evident, inasmuch as it is possible
that some of the subjects connected
with the labor question may come be-
fore him for his official action.
Senator Edmunds thinks that the
matter depends largely upon circum-
stances varying with different cond-
tions of locality, climate, nature of
occupation, &c., and that no general
rule can be laid down upon the sub
ject.
Senator Hoar says that eight hours
is enough for ordinary labor, and that
it would be a public benefit if that
should be the limit of days work in
ordinary manufacturing and mechani-
cal work. He thinks that the product
of the country would be increased,
the character of the workmen
would be improved, and the govern
ment Of the country would be purified
and exalted.
Senator Blair says that eight hours
labor Is too long in some occupations.
IL thinks the eight hour system will
promote the public good.
Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, thinks
there is nothing to be gained and
much TO be lost to both employer and
employee by exacting over eight hours
work.
Senator Ingalls, believes that re-
duction of work to eight hours would
have a beneficial effect upon the man.
hood, independence and citizenship of
the working classes if enough could be
earned in that time.
Congressman q, r. Breckenridge, of
Arkansas, thinks that working people
will never be able to get more than the
actual market value of their labor bas-
ed on demand and supply and the state
OF trade. He does not believe that
workmen should be required to work
more or less hours than eight, as that
is matter for their own agreement.
Congressman e. S. Osborn, Of
Wilkesbarre, Pa, says that the work.
men of this country should not be re-
quired to work over eight hours. To
reduce the working hours would con.
sequently improve labor.
Congressman Mckinley, of Ohio,
believes in the eight hour system.
Ira Davenport says he thinks it
worth while trying the eight hour
system, which he thinks would be
beneficial to all.
President c. X. Adams, of Cornell,
thinks that workmen should be free to
work Just as much or as little as their
interests dictate. A reduction of
hours to eight, he thinks would be a
disadvantage to the workingmeu. 1t
would either reduce the price of his
days work or reduce the amount of
work to be done and in either case it
would reduce his income. Of course,
sach change would bring leisure,
and if the workman needs leisure
more than money the change would
be beneficial.
Prof E. w. Bemis, of Vanderbilt
University, hopes to see eight hours
secured in time. But he is not sure
whether employers can be induced to
give their employees much larger
share of their joint production than
they do now. Gradual reductions 10
, the working-day, he thinks, will be
accompanied by an increase of menta
; and moral power among workingmen
such as to justify peaceful efforts for q
shorter day.
Prof Schmidt, of Hamilton Theo
logical Seminary, says he is in sympa
thy with the eight-hour movement
and he believes that economically the
ultimate effects of such reduction Of
working hours must be for the good o.
, all. As for the immediate effects
, three large classes would suffer from
!, the change-manufacturers with limit
e1 c.pital, workmen with prof gatt
tendencies and the less desrous work
\ men and women, who might be driver
v out of the field.
Seth Low, President of Columbi
+. College, is in sympathy with the move
|. ment, but for reasons sociological
= rather than directly economical. III
: sees the desire of humanity for some
a thing more than mere subsistence, th
o hunger for lite that shall have som
!. leisure in it for family and for tn
!. opportunities that leisure brings.
h Felix Adler does not believe that in
n creased leisure of workmen will in tn
long run be misspent. But it must b
a shown that there is definite prospec
, of united action on the part of tn
e working classes, and that such mea
!. ure will not seriously cripple industgii
g. progress by checking production In ce
If tain lines of industry or by givin
# other countries an advantage in th
4 markets OF the world as against OF
d own.
" II. B. Thurber says ten hours is n,
e. much. He formerly worked fourtee
ID to sixteen hours at his store, and |
N now works ten hours.
g. Rev. Dr. Lyman Abbott, of Brool
i'll lyn, thinks eight hours is enough
a. devote TO any form of muscular labo
ne 80 as 10 leave time for the cultivatio
sc of the mind. He believes that Il
az