The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-04-22

The agitation OF what is known as the
eight-hour movement, is just now the
chief subject OF discussion in industrial
circles throughout the country. Already
the movement has assumed considerable
proportions among the organized trades,
though the strike that it was predicted
would be general this Spring is not likely
to occur. The workingmen themselves,
in many cases, seem to have resolved
upon a more judlcious policy, and many
organizations will proceed with the aEi-
tation that may bring about a more grad
ual adoption OF the new system, and
which will no. be SO disturbing to the
business interests CT the country. THE
agitation" says the New York Times in
discussing the subject, "is not to be
deprecated in itself, for it shows that
workingmen are thinking aud learning,
and it is only by effort and experience
that they can come to distinguish be-
tween the practicable and impracticable
in their plans for lettering their condi-
ton. But there is much to attain in the
way Of clear thinking and judicious
action" r
When men arc advocating new sys-
tens, for which in part there may be
logical grounds, they are too apt, in
their enthusiasm, to overlook facts
which naturally confront them, and
which they put aside as unworthy Of
moro than a passing consideration. A
favorite argument of the workingmen
and one which is not void OF truth and
force, is that sin the increased use OF
labor.saving inventions and machinery
and the greater effectiveness Of both
labor and capital through that means,
and through combinations OF capital by
incorporation and improved methods in
industrial operations, the product OF
labor has been largely increased in pro-
portion to the number Of men en-
ployed, and The workers do not appear
to have received their full share Of the
benefit" While this is true it must be
conceded that there has been q steady
decrease in the rates OF profit received by
capital.
1t will require more than the mere
assertion, to make plain low a reduc.
ton Of the hours Of work will not nee.
e%ssarily be attended with an adjustment
OF the days pay to suit. at least at the
beginning OF the experiment. The in
crease in the effectiveness OF labor would
not DO sufficient to justify the continu.
ance, for instance, Of ten hours pay for
eight: hours work.
An accepted authority on the subject
Of labor and its pay, takes u practical
view Of this point and one other, when
he says that it is certain that manual CT.
fort could not produce as much in eight
hours as in ten. II less were produced
there would be n smaller return TO be
divided between labor and capital, so
far as each workman was concerned,
and assuming that something might be
won from the profits Of capital to the
wages Of labor. the share OF tho former
from one mans work is already gained
in that way. With a shortening Of hours
there would inevitably be q lessening Of
pay.
ut is argued that another effect would
DO tho employment OF a larger labor
force, bringing into action many men
who are now left in enforced idlencss.
This is an admission that men
would DO required to do the work now
done, and the share Of tho product dis.
tributed in wages would have to be di.
vided among the increased number,
which would necessarily give a smaller