Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-12
ENTIRELY ESSENTIAL,
The Working Of Seven Days a
Week at Rock Island
Arsenal.
THERE Is NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE.

The Character of the Orders Maj. Blunt
is Proceeding Under and the RESPONSE
biiisy That Is on His Shoulders-Men,
should be Glad of the Opportunity,
Anyway.
There has been great deal Of mis-
representation concerning the re-
quirement of seven DAYS labor at
Rock Island arsenal under the stress
of war orders, as inaugurated last
Sunday. One ridiculous story in cir
culation this morning was to the effect
that 800 men had been discharged
because they declined to work last
Sunday. The simple facts are that
two men and four boys We're relieved
Of their positions on account Of the
new 7-day order. One of the men
stated that he had work to do at home
that he preferred to that of the gov
eminent, and the other was too tired
to work the seventh day: of the boys
one wanted the lay off and the other
| three were detained at home on ac-
count of religious convictions.
To the fair mind there is nothing
arbitrary or unreasonable in the in
creased days Of labor at the arsenal.
Maj Blunt's orders leave no other
recourse open to him. He is re-
quired to supply the army with what
is needed with the utmost possible
dispatch. 1t is not optional with him.
and if he had increased facilities for
doing the work. and could employ
even more men than he has he would
still under his orders feel that every
minute should give an account
of itself. He must make the very
best possible use of everything at his
command. and time is as valuable a
factor as men or machinery. Some
of the things that 90 into the equip
ment of a soldier are turned out at
the rate of 5000 a day: others 1000
and 5000 day. At this rate 4 day 5
break counts. The men at the front
are waiting for the supplies. The
field officers are constantly calling
upon the war department for supplies
and the war department is as ener-
getically calling upon Mai Blunt.
There is probably none among the men
one who would more gladly welcome
a Sunday respite than the command
ant himself and he does not get paw
for overtime, either.
Plain Question OF Duty.
When communicated with on the
|subject of the Sunday work at the
arsenal, Maj. Blunt said this morn
ing that he was happy that there had
been no objection among the men to
lspeak of, as he was confronted by Il
condition that required hat every
imam on the arsenal pay roll be en-
Iployed the full measure of time. In
la word said Maj. Blunt. 1--WE
cannot discuss at this time
1.-THE value of siX-sevenths man
as compared with 1 seven-seventns
man. The requirement that all men
work seven days week. and tina,
none be retained who do not is not
FORTS disciplinary effect-as we have a
splendid corps of workmen who do
not need disciplining. 1t is simply
mandatory that we make every
facility count for getting our work
out promptly. 1t is not question
that admits of discussion from an,
other standpoint than that which con
fronts us in the practical and abso-
Lutte requirements of the hour. We
must employ our Sundays t,
good advantage in time of wal
just as our defenders do at the front
who are depending upon us to keel
them supplied. and the men at thi:
arsenal, | am sure. in contrasting theil
situations in the government employ
with those exposed to Spanish bullets
and Cuban fever, will feel that the,
are fortune-favored in being able to d,
their part without imperiling theil
lives"