The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-13
A NIlNE.HOUR DAY.

When the agitation FOR ten-hour law
was progressing In this State its opponents
gagged their heads wisely and said that II
the law passed the next thing asked for
would be a nine-hour day and then an
eight-hour day. Well, why not9
The men who opposed the ten-hour law
had not studied the question. They said
that II the time for production was less
ened, the product would fall of. 1t was in
vain that statisticians like Carroll ID.
Wright explained that such result would
not be realized. They had been brought
up under the long hour system and could
not understand how a man or woman
could produce as much under the pro-
posed law as when they were actually en-
ployed longer upon the same kind of work.
And we confess that their feeling was
only natural to those who had not made a
thorough study of the question. 1t did
seem rather odd to expect person to turn
out as much work in ten as in eleven and
twelve hours.
But Mr.. Wright argued from figures that
did not lie. He proved, theoretically it
seemed then, that person would, in time,
with an hour day less of labor, so gain in
strength, In vitality, in method, in quick
ness, that he or she would become equal to
the extra demand made upon them. He
also reminded us of the fact that machin-
cry was improving rapidly and showed
that one employe could now produce more
than several could in past years.
Besides he showed (what was less
thought about) that the workingman and
woman actually required more time for
bodily rest in order to recuperate for the
extra strain required by advances in the
machinery of production.
The tenhour law has been in force now
for more than ten years in this State. Has
not the statement of Mr.. Wright and the
advocates Of the law proven the soundness
OF their positions Is the production not
greater now than even ten years ago?
Certainly these things have come to pass
Every man who formerly doubted is now
convinced.
This being so, II il in order for general
movement to begin for another reduction
Of the hours of labor. We advise that II
be methodical, with no strike feathers, no
bull-dozing or socialist tom foolery. The
hard headed laboring men and women do
not wish to he bothered with useless can't
ing on ephemeral questions, or brow
beaten by demagogues who don't know
what they are talking about.
The simple fact staros us In the face that
the improvements in productive machin-
cry have made great strides forward dur
ing the past decade, while the hours of
labor has remained at a stsndstill. The
vital forces requisite to keep the body
equal to the increased demand for method,
precision and celebrity have had, and are
experiencing q continuously increasing
strain. The body that could stand the
strain OF slower machinery at ten hours a
day cannot continue TO increase that strain
indefinitely. 1t will gradually lose the
power Of maintaining its average, and the
best remedy Ia to give II more rest, more
time for rocuperation.
And we must remember that the physi-
cal forces Of the body will also reflect on
the mental faculty and a strained body
viii develop tension OF the mind, 90 that,
az nearly all our manufacturing now re-
quires an activity of mind equal to the
activity OF body required for q given
period, the manufacturers themselves will
be the greater sufferers from a class OF
workers who can not keep up the strain.
This is good time 10 begin 10 think OF
this subject.