The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-26
TO SHORTEN HOURS
MOVEMENT RENEWED FOR THE
EIGHT-HOUR WORK DAY.

1lG al-aOUh WYNN Ia -
American Federation OF Labor Resolves in
Favor of a More Than Ever Determined
Effort in Behalf of Giving More Men
Employment at Shorter Hours-Read-
justment Necessary, it is Asserted, to
Conform With Conditions Under Mod
ern Machinery and other Changes in
acknowledgements as First Step.
Indianapolis, Ind, March 25.-The ex-
ecutive council of the American Fedora
1ion Of Labor adjourned this afternoon.
1T was given out that headquarters will
be moved at the close of the present
wear. to some other city, probably Chi
cago. The following report Of the COM
mittee on the eight-hour question was
adopted and given out as the sentiment
of the convention:
AT this hour, when myrids OF work
ers are seeking employment, and in
their despair numbers Of them are cap
<ivated by the seductive theories and
glitterlng promises Of securing state
help, we, the American Federation Of
Labor, reffirm the necessity of concen-
trating all the forces of the practical
labor movement by the voluntary and
collective efforts of the trades unions,
backed by sympathetic public poin-
ion
The general and consistent introduce
ton of machinery, the minute sub-divis-
ions of labor, the irregularity of employ
ment, the continually recurring periods
of industrial Stagnation and financial
panics, the hopeless wall of the unem-
ployed, all demand that equalization Of
opportunities which will come from the
general adoption of the eight hour day.
All other lines and economic theories
within our ranks should be subordinat-
ed to the great task of giving work to
the unemployed and of lettering the
wages and conditions Of all who toll.
There is no movement of more value
to the working people than that which
will tighten The burdens of those who
are overwUrked and undeTpaid, and
which will give employment 10 those
nhO wander over byways and high
ways, searching in vain for a. better
chance to live The realization of the
eight-hOur day, TO them means better
citizens, nobler manhood and a higher
civilization.
HUGE TASK IN SIGHT.
'Ae we approach this question we
realize fully the magnitude Of the inter
ested and selfish forces arrayed against
Us. the Indifference of the working peo-
pie themselves, their old time prejudices
and the many disssensions which divide
them More than all, we recognize the
need for a more thorough and com
plete organization Of every craft and
occupation on trade union lines before
we can undertake a general or stimuli
1aneOuS stand for the eight-hour day.
This severe industrial crisis from which
we are emerging, however. should be
helpful lesson to lead the Industrial
classes into such compact organization
which, when once attained, viii bring
still greater achievements for the work
ing people.
we heartily approve the shorter
work day asked for by the JOurneymen
Horseshoers National union, and tender
1t and the United Brotherhood Of Car
penters our active cooperation and
united assistance in their present efforts
TO reduce the hours of toll. We con-
graduate them that they are in posi-
ton to undertake this movement with
out our financial aid
TRADES UNIONS.
ITO insure continued and successful
efforts by the working people in this
direction, the president and secretary Of
the American Federal ton of Labor are
hereby directed TO issue an address to
them 10 join the trades union movement
the wage workers of the country urging
with a view of securing all possible ad-
Vantages resulting from organization.
and especially To put into opera ton the
eight-hour work day as soon as business
will justify such action without injury
10 the public
That the aforesaid officers notify the
executive heads of all unions affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor
or such action and seek their coopera-
lion and assistance and request them
10 correspond with employers. tot the
end of securing an expression of opin-
non on the voluntary concession of the
elght-hour work day and that all IN
ions whose members work more than
eight hours day be requested 10 select
committees to wait upon their employ
erS with the same object in view.
Further, that the press, pulpit, pub
lie speakers and reformers generally be
urged to make the need for the eight
hour work day a theme of concerted and
persistent discussion.
we hail the decision Of the Prick
layers and Stonemasons Internationo1
union TO adopt the eight-hour work dav
IN their trade as hopeful sign of the |
irresistible movement for the establish /
ment of the eig'ht-hour work day."
Mark Twain is All Right.
LONDON. March 25.-News has been re-
oelVed here that Mark Twain has com
1'letely recovered his health and +bo+
he has sailed from Bonn av f,r a. !