Evening star., 1898-10-03
NINE HOURS INSTEAD OF TEN.
some of the blessings 1t Would Con
fer on WOrI&inGmen.

In a recent address. intended more espe-
cially for the managers of printing offices.
Mr.. Henry W. Cherouny, large union en-
p!oyer of NV York city, advances num-
ber OF arguments in favor of shorter hours
OF wcrk arguments that apply equally well
10 other trades. In the course of his ad-
dress Mr.. CherorEy said:
II want to argue in favor of the normal
day of nine hours, and. speaking from long.
personal experience, can assure you that
the granting of this request of your men
will not increase your cost of labor, hut
rather tend to increase the output of your
business.
The remote handspring of that energy
of labor which all desire and few know
how to set in action is embedded in the ma
teriaI and spiritual Well-being OF the labor
erS. Their bodily health depends not only
on the food they eat, but also on the air
they breathe; and alasi printers must in
fale during ten long hours every day the
ieaden dust borne by an oily lampb1ack at
mosphere in dingy places mostly devoid of
the simplest sanitary arrangements. Every
doctor will agree that one hour less every
day of this inhalation of the noxious print
ing air Will do very much toward improv-
ing the general health of the blood lungs
and digestive organs of the printers. Do
not say one hour a day is but trife. but
remember that one hour a day is 300 hours
a year and 1000 hours in ten years. Con-
revert 10 the employers.
More important than the physical is the
spiritual well-being of the laborerS, the
fountain head of which rests in their fam
lily life man unhappy in his domestic
relations Will hardly ever care mucn abour
his business and often turn to drink: but
a werkingman with a pleasant home is al
ways cheerful at his task. Who can meas
Urc the spiritual strength which a father
fcnGling his child inbihes from the cup or
life in its young and innocent eyes? Who
Will say how much endurance of adverse
things in business and how much perse-
vereuce in attempts to please a hard task
master q workingman draws every day
from the gentle smile of 4 loving wife?
And what a strong impulse of self-devotiOn
IS the ardent desire amply to provide for
wife and child, and often also for the old
folks? Indeed. that which wages cannot
buy and which is dearer than outward
skill TO all employers: The all-pervading
sense of duty. with its voluntary subordina-
ton and devotion to vocation: These price
less virtues grow day by day even in the
poorest household, although it often seems
as if we We're in this respect, God-for-
saken people,
Nothing in the world IS more adapted to
foster the family life of workingmen than
the grantinr Of the nine-hour day. Includ .
ing the time of travel to and from business
there are daily twelve to thirteen hours OF
exertion TO benumb their hearts against the
cheers of the hou-e. Tired out, yet thinking
of their private duties, far too many take
to stimulants. Most of the better men with
conservative opinions and ample experience
feel too tired even to fondle their children
or to attend 10 social and civic duties. This
puts many an important union meeting at
the mercy of young and rash enthusiasts or
metaphysical economists while its reliable
elements are in red sleeping directly after a
supper. merely to rise again with dull fac
lilties. This one hour may be the family
hour. 1t will give to many a chance to
move to healthy suburbs. to others an op-
rCrtunity to enjoy breakfast and supper
with their folks. Yes, there will also be L
number given to frolics with children or
chums, or TO playing cards or to singing
and rcciting; while but few may seriously
study with view to self Improvement:
But no matter how foolishly or usefully
the worknGmen employ this coveted hour.
the human soul is made by its Creator so
that 1t requires Catly, beside the rest in
sleep. 4 time of rest in playful work. Its
energies grow Gull If they always
strained and never freely swing with the
light breez es of life Give the laboring men
ur.grudingins.y the hour for recreative di-
version. and the relief after labor derived
| from il Will sharpen the minds that think
for the employers and strengthen the hands
| that skilfully move for the masters.
The wish to shorten the time of labor
| animates at this moment the workingmen
| OF the whole civilized world, and is strong
\ er than thar desire for higher wages. II
| takes the place of all former political and
social aspirations of the fourth estate. The
| shortening OF the work day has become Il
passion with the rank and file of industry;
! by this device all trades hope to improve
| the condition of their members and to ele
! vste their moral and Intellectual standard.
England hal to give way after q fierce
struggle with united labor lasting almost
| thirty years. Impoverished Germany has
| the nine-hour day. And we citizens of the
| land Of milk and honey, under the stars
| and stripes, are, in this respect, behind the
| monar rchies of old Europet The very
| thought of ihis is revolting!'