The herald., 1896-03-26
LABOR'S E|GAT-HOUR DAY
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY rHE AMERls
CAN FEDERATION OF LABOR
Other Economic Theories Should b subsss
dlnated to the Great Task Of 0lvlng Wsrk
to the Unemployed and Bettsrlng ~
Condition Of Tollers
Associated Press Special Wire.


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, March 25. = Tho
executive council of the American Federae
ton of Labor adjourned this afternoon.
1t was given out that the headquarters will
be moved at the close of the present year
10 some other city. probably to Chicago.
The following resolution on the eight-houe
day was unanimously adopted and given
out as the sentiment of the council:
At this hour, when myriads of workers
are seeking employment and, In theiH
despair numbers of them are captivate4
by the seductive theories and glittering
American Federation of Labor, reaff1rm
the necessity of concentrating all the
forces of the practical labor movements
by the voluntary and collective efforts OF
trades union, backed by a sympathetio
public opinion.
The general and constant introduction of
machinery. the minute subdivision Of
labor. the irregularity of employment. the
continually recurring periods of industrial
stagnation and financial panics, the hope
less wall of the unemployed. all demand
equalization of the opportunities that will
come in the general adoption Of the eight
hour day. All other lines and economic
theories within our ranks should be sub
ordinated to the great task of giving work
to the unemployed and bettering the wages
and conditions of all who toll.
There is no movement of more value TO
tighten the burdens of those who are over
worked and underpaid and which will give
employment to those who wander over by
ways and highways searching in vain for .
better chance to live. The realization Of
the eight hour day to them means better
food and raiment, happier homes, better
citizens, nobler manhood and a higher
civilization.
AS we approach this question we realize
fully the magnitude of the interested aud
selfish forces arrayed against us, the in.
difference of the working people them
selves, their old-time prejudices and tho
many dissensiOns which divide them.
More than all, we recognize the need for =
more thorough and complete organization
of every craft and occupation on trade
union lines before we can undertake .
general or simultaneous stand for an eight
hour day. This severe industrial crisis
from which we are now emerging, how
ever, should be helpful lesson TO lead the
industrial classes into such compact organ
ization which, when once attained, will
bring still greater achievements for the
working people.
We heartily approve the short-hour work
day as asked by the Journeymen Horse
shoer National union, and we extend to
the Brotherhood of Carpenters our united
assistance and cooperation in their pres
ent efforts to reduce the hours of toll. We
congratulate them that they are in posi-
ton to undertake this movement without
our financial aid.
To insure continued and successful
efforts by the working people in this direc-
ton. the president and secretary of the
American Federation of labor are hereby
directed to issue an address to the wage
workers of the country, urging them to
join the trades union movement with a
view to securing all possible advantages
resulting from organization, and especially
to put into operation the eight-hour work
day as soon as business will justify such
action without injury to the public.
That the aforesaid officers notify the ex-
ecutive heads of all unions affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor of such
action, and seek their cooperation and as
sistance. and request them to correspond
with employers, to the end of securing an
expression of opinion on the voluntary con-
cession of the eight.hour work day, and
that all unions whose members now work
more than eight hours day be required to
select committees to wait upon the em-
ployers with the same object in view.
Further, that the press, pulpit. public
speakers and reformers generally be urged
to make the need for the eight-hour work
day theme of concerted and persistent
discussion.
We hail the decision of the Bricklayers'
and Stonemasons' International union to
adopt the eight-hour work day in their
trade as hopeful sign of the irresistible
movement for the establishment of the
eight-hour work day.