Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-17

pies Of justice and equity TO employ coo per-
sons at "a per day Of eight hours than to en-
pioy 100 at &c per day OF twelve hours, es-
peciauy where 200 persons are thereby deprived
OF the opportunity to labor at all
Among all the ways of violating the spirit Of
the eight-hour law there 10 none we detest so
much as the permitting OF favored govern
ment employees to grab all the work and all the
pay. II that is all the Law is to accomplish IL
would better be repealed II any man wants
to work ten. twelve or fourteen hours 20 badly
that he seeks and obtains permission" let
him do it for q regular days pay. When there
is no extra pay, except in the case: OF extra
ordinary emergency" named in the bill. for
overtime there will be no permission
violators Of the eight-hour law.
OF course the rule that applies to govern
ment officers should apply to government con-
tractors, as section 2 contemplates. But In
the original bill the words "or permit" fol-
lowed the word require" in line z, section
2, and was stricken out. They must have
been stricken out to enable contractors to
permit" men to work more than eight hours.
1t must have been contemplated that con-
tractors would want to permit men to work
ten or more hours per day or the amendment
would have no purpose. III a contractor Is al
lowed to permit men to work as long an they
please for any wages he pleases it may be
safely predicted that 10 one will be employed
by contractors except those who seek permits
sion to work more than eight hours The force
of the whole section rests on the two words "or
permit" and we sincerely hope the Senate will
restore them and that the House Of Represent,
atiyes will concur in such action.
In reply to the charge that this section (2)
infringes on the rights of citizens contractors
and labors). we contend that they have no
rights in this respect. except such as SO ont Of
q contract with the United States. 10 its COLI
tracts the government can add any conditions
1t may choose, and the full and complete free
dom of the citizen is secured by his right to ac
cept the contract with those conditions or let
ii alone.
So too with workmen. The government,
through its administrative officers or its agents
(the contradictory, for reasons OF public policy,
offers employment upon the condition shat a
full days wages will be paid for eight hours
work, but that no overtime can be made and
no extra pay can be earned. In this case every
one is free TO accept or reject such employ
ment and the freedom of the working people
is in no way limited. There neod be no mis-
givings that the government or It's contractors
will lack willing workers because they are not
permitted to work ten hours a day when they
are granted days pay for eight hours.
Tho time when the government might have
taken the lead in the movement for a reduction
of the hours of labor to eight hours per day has
long since passed, for, without the help of anv
law and with very little encouragement from
any source outside their own ranks, many
trades and individuals have achieved an eight
hour day. Others will do SO and the rule will
become universal, as now nearly all admit and
hope. But the effort, expense and strife incl
dental to the developments of an eight-hour day
are sore burdens 10 those who bear them, and,
on the principle of better late than never"
the government can give tine movement great
impetus, and make the transition much easier
than it will otherwise he by the passage OF
House bill 979l. which, with the amendments
suggested, will, we believe, compel officers and
agents of the government to enforce the law Of
1865 IN accordance with its true spirit and in
tent, and confer upon the country and the
working people the benefits sought from such
legislation.
In conclusion we earnestly urge the Senate
to pass the five bills herein specified, with
amendments as stated, at the present session.
In our opinion the passage OF these bills by
Congress, and their honest enforcement by the
executive departments OF the government, will
be fully appreciated by the wage workers OF
the United States.
By direction Of the Federation of Labor.
f f Ct +. : S ssS:s' Committee