Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-12-21
THE FEDERATION or LABOR
immigration and a Shorter Work
Day Considered.
Suggested That Federal Officials BE
Assisted in Enforcing Alien
Labor Law--Less Hours
OF Labor Advised

New York. Dec. 11.-At today's session
Of the American Federation of Labor, a.
supplementary report from President
Mcbride was submitted and referred to
appropriate committees
This was said on the question OF i'm
migration: '~Inasmuch as the last con-
v~ention decided that no future r~estric-
ton Of immigration was needed except
In the work of keeping out such laborers
as come here under contract. all crimi-
nails other than political. and such per
sons as are likely to become a public
charge, IL would be well for this conven-
ton to give some attention to the adop-
ton of methods by which assistance can
be given to government officials who
seek TO ferret out and punish those who
violate the alien labor law"
The question Of shorter work days was
touched upon as follows: 1.-The supply Of
labor in this country is grea.er thar the
demand for 1t, hence the power Of pro-
duction exceeds the force Of consump-
ton. Surplus labor is used az a lever
to reduce wages, lengthen the hours of
labor and increase the burden OF toll
on the part OF the employed. Low wages
n partly employed labor limits the
means to purchase and thus prevents
consumption to such an extent that Of
ten threatens life, always robs produc-
ton OF its proper value by reason of in
sane competition in labor and in the
market Of labor's product. Our work
days should be short enough to permit
the employment Of every wage workeri in
the land. Such a system would be based
upon the principles OF philosophical
truth. OF equal and exact Justice be.
tween mar and man, between employer
n employed. At this time the estab-
lishment of an eight hour workday
would establish such a system, by CIV
ing more days work and employing
more workers, by providing more leisure
and less idleness, by forcing production
n stimulating consumption through
means Of purchase being provided for
all who labor. An elaborate argument
Is not needed to convince you that our
working men M women have not re.
ceived "a fair share Of the benefits &C.
cruing from invention and machinery,
either in increased pay or in a decreased
number of hours they are required 70
labor for a days pay. You will readily
agree with the decision reached by the
last convention h a shorter workday
Is needed TO ameliorate the conditions
in life OF our wage workers. | desire 70
remind you, however, that il is now your
duty to determine upon the feasibility
OF ina~ugurating "A movement to estab-
lish the eight hour workday, rather thai
TO consider the benehcent results which
would follow it's accomplishment: e
determine whether a fight shall be
waged for it's establishment, and, if you
so conclude, to provide for a campaign
In which n or all Of our affiliated or
CARNATIONS may become direct particl-
pants.
Comrades in the labor movement, the
eye of your constituency are centered
upon the convention. and Upon the work
the toiling men and women of America
have based their hopes OF emancipation
from environments which Cypress and
wrong them. DO not disappoint them
and court failure by undertaking to dc
more n you have the strength TO ac-
complish. Do not permit enthusiasm OF
resentment TO direct your efforts, but
let that reason and Intelligence which
you possess lead o in the work OF
marking out a policy which, when fol,
lowed, will surely mitigate If 1t does not
entirely eradicate the wrongs suffered
by u wage workers. Aim TO be prac'
tical, reasonable and just in your con.
illusions, and success must follow"
Among the resolutions introduced al
the American Federation Of Labor ses.
sion this morning was one by Vice Pres.
ident T. J.. Elderkin, d~enouncing duaI
organizations, especially The Socialis-
tic Council of Chicago
1t was referred TO the proper commit.
tee.
Delegate White OF the National To-
bacco Workers union, announced that
he had a resolution calling for a boy.
colt on the American Tobacco company
The resolution was referred to the boy
colt committee and it was ordered thai
a committee be appointed TO try to in.
duce the committe to recognize the un-
ion. A boycott against the has
been ordered by the Tobacco Workers
union, but has not yet been endorsed by
the federation Of labor.