The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-13
THE EIGHT-HOUR SYSTEM
That Is NOW UNCLE SANS PAN
for All Iaborers and Mechanics who Work
on the Public Buildings-Instrue.
lions TO the Custodian

just received from A. b. Netteton. acting
Secretary Of the Treasury. a circular letter
OF instructions in regard to the act Of Con-
gross limiting the hours Of daily service Of
lab'@rs and mechanics employed on the
public works Here is the entire letter:
superintendent OF construction. superin-
tendents OF repairs and custodians Of public
buildings under the control OF the Treasury
Department throughout the United States
are hereby requested and directed 10 care
fully note and strictly and fully comply
with the requirements Of the act of Con-
gress approved August l, 1892, which reads.
AN ACT
relating 90 the limitation OF the hours OF
daily service Of laborers and mechanics en-
pioyed upon the public works of the United
States and the District OF Columbia.
BE 70 enacted by the Senate and House
Of Representatives Of the United States Of
America IN Congress assembled That the
service and employment Of all laborers and
mechanics who are now or may hereafter be
employed by the Government of the United
States. by the District OF Columbia or by
any contractor or sub-contractor upon any
OF the public works Of the nited States or
Of the said District of Columbia is hereby
limited and restricted % eight hours in any
one calendar day. and 1t shall be unlawful
for any officer Of the nited States Govern
ment or of the District of Columbia or any
such contractor OF sub-contractor whose
duty Il shall be 20 EMPLOY. direct or con-
trol the services Of such laborers or mo
chanics 10 require or permit any such
laborer or mechanic 10 work more than
eight hours IN any calendar day except in
case Of extraordinary emergency
A PENALTY.
Section 2. That any officer or agent Of
the Government Of the United States or OF
the District OF Columbia or any contractor
or sub-cOutractOr whose duty 1t shall be
10 employ. direct. or control any labOrer or
mechanic employed upon any of the public
works OF the United States or of the Dis
trict Of Columbia who shall intentionally
violate any provision of this act. shall be
deemed guilty of q misdemeanor. and Tor
each and every such ofense shall. upon con-
victicn. be punished by a fine not TO eX
coed $1,000 or by imprisonment for not
more than SIX months. or by both such line
and Imprisonment. in the discretion or the
court having jurisdiction thereof
Section g. The provisions OF this act shall
not be go construed as 20 in any manner
apply % or affect contractors or suO-con-
tractors. or 20 limit the hours Of daily
service OF labOreTs or mechanics engaged
upon the public works of the nited states
or of the District Of Columbia for which
contracts have been entered into prior 20
the passage of this act.
Approved August ], 1892"
PRINTED INSTRUCTIONS.
The printed instructions 10 Superinten-
dents approved MAY s. 1886: and the
printed Instructions to Custodians. APP
proved March 80, 1855, are hereby modified
20 include the requirements OF said law.
The superntendents of construction, SUI
perintendants of repairs and custodans of
public buildings under the control OF the
Treasury Department throughout the
ulted States are, ia addition TO tue above
general directions and instructions, hereby
further specifically directed and instructed
50 take the following action:
lst To see that the requirements OF said
law are fully observed and strictly complyed
with in regard 10 all persons employed di-
rectly by the Government IN connection
with such work as Is being done under au-
thoriues granted since August /, 1892, OF
such work as may be hereafter authorized
T. be done by the day on the buildings un-
der their charge respectively.
I'd. TO see that the requirements of said
law are fully observed and strictly compiled
with IN regard 20 al labor employed by con-
tractors OF sub-COntTaCtors IN connection
with work which may be authorized TO be
done under open market authorization"
accepted proposal or formal contract In con-
nectiOn with the buildings under their
charge respectively.
3D. In each and every case in which in
structiOns OF directions may hereafter be
given from the department to them to
Invite competitive proposals either
by circular letter or by pub
Die advertisement for furnishing any work
recurring the performance of any labor IN
connection with the buildings under their
charge respectively. they must clearly and
distinctly specify in such circular letter or
public advertisement and the general in
structious and specifications, which may
form the basis upon which the competitive
proposals are invited, that each competing
bidder must distinctly understand that his
proposal must be submitted for furnishing
al the labor and materials required 70 cam
pete the work. contemplating "a full and
strict compliance with each and all of the
requirements of said act Of Congress APP
proved August /. 1899. and, when, neces-
sarv. furnish such bidders IN such cases
with a copy Of said law
The acknowledgment Of the receipt Of
copy of this circular letter Of instructions
b each Of the officers specified IS requested.