Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-05-06
out Any strikes-Employers
10 BE Organized.

L WASHINGTON, Way PIT rTesldenl
Samuel Gpmpsrs Of the American Fed
Iietatioh q Lsbof has left here for a
tour through the state,of New York in
compliance with the instructions OF
thd executive council, which met here
last month for the purpose Of organic
Ing and phtting In motion the grand
crusade for an eight-hour day. He will
speak to the workingmen Of, Buffalo,
Syracuse, Rochesterahd other cities in
that state this week, and it is expected
that from this time on Mr.. tGompers
will give most Of his time to the eight
hour movement. 1t is proposed TO in
tercst unorganized labor as well as the
unions in the agitation, in order that
there may be united demand from all
employees throughout the United States
upon their employers on May 1 next for
a shorter day. 7iaNl .io'1''lh "
This is in obedience to the action
taken at the 10th annual convention
of the American Federation at Cincin-
natl in December last. During the
year 1896 the executive council set to
work for the purpose of securing an
eigbt-hour day. A number of unions
made the demand, and in many in
stances secured it by strikes. D a. larger
number had the reduction conceded to
them without the necessity Of striking,
but industrial conditions were such
that, in the Judgment Of the council, a
general movementwasnot expedient at
that time, and the matter was referred
for the consideration Of the Cincinnati
convention. There a committee was
appointed, who made an elaborate
report, recommending thst the allied
labor organizations and nnorganized
labor, SO far as possible, unite in
. demand upon the employers in
America for ah eighthourl day on May
i, 1903, and that the Cooperation Of
all fair-minded men and women be, re-
quested to that end. In submitting
this recommendation the committee
argued that while the teli'hOur move
mept was largely humanitarian, the
eight-hour movement was economic,
and offered a common ground upon
which all industrial and social forces
to reform might meet and fratenize.
Loss hours Of work had proved the
most effective method Of increasing the
purchasing power Of a days labor.
The laborers, having lost the power
to sell the products of their labor, are
compelled to sell their time. The
Withholding Of time from the market
OF labor increases the value of each
hour sold; distributes the extra hours
thus cut off among those who are with
out work, increases the purchasing
power of the days work through ma
tural channels that govern the distri-
button of wealth, furnishes the oppor-
tpnity for leisure, rest, recreation and
and quickens into new &C
tivities moral and intellectual forces
that will decrease vice and crime.
The executive council was directed
to take the matter up at once and COM
mence national agitation through
pamphlets, circulars and
public speakers, by the appointment
Of special organizers at labor centers
throughout the country, and commit
tees Of local trades unions whose spe-
cial business will be to promote the
movement. The plan was adopted at
the meeting of the executive council
here last month, and it was decided to
devote the whole year from May !,
1897, to May I 1898, to the work.
Mr. Morrison, the secretary OF the
of Labor, said yesterday
that the executive council did not
think there would be any necessity for
a strike. They expect that the eight
hour day will be conceded without one.
When the employers of the country
find that the workmen in all branches
Of industry are determined and or
ganized and united in their demand for
shorter hours, they will not attempt to
resist. In fact, there is already en-
enlargement from some Of the biggest
establishments in the United States,
the most conservative employers, in
dealing with their men. 1t is proposed
to Organize n national association of
employers for the purpose of arrang-
ing aunited and cordial concession Of
a shorter day.