The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-11-24

The Question, Although Simple. il
Not Readily Comprehe ended by
Those Who Would BE Benefited
10y 1T. Adoption.
These days of international union
conventions, so large in attendance, so
earnest in the purposes intended and
in the probable results which follow
the sessions of each, not only in the
line of its own following, but in the
growing influence SO marked in all
other trades and callings, bring happy
thoughts of "Reminiscences in relief from
the toilsome days and hours Of but
few decades ago, before the spirit of
enlightment and education brought
about the present attendant benif1cence
of organization and mutuality Of inter-
ests.
In addition to the material increase
in the wages of the worlds wealth pro-
ducers, the better understanding be-
tween employer and employe and the
Improvement in sanitary conditions in
mine and workshop, not the least by
any means Of the blessing of shorter
hours of toll. While the cigarmakers
and bricklayers are farthest advanced
In this reform, the carpenters have
made great strides, and many other
trades are following close in line-slow-
ly but surely-and careful, energetic
and unceasing pursuit by the same
means already applied will, in the very
near future, bring happy results to
many thousands yet in the bondage of
what resembles feudal bondage. OF
course it can and must be done with
out unnecessary friction. Relief and
benefit to follow will we'll repay for the
time and patience extended In bringing
about the relief and advantages of
fewer toilsome hours and more leisure
for calm reflection and the happy hours
Of home and fireside.
The question of shorter work-day.
though simple in its applica ton, does
not meet with ready comprehension
even by many who would and can be
benefited by its adoption. The strong
est bar to it's establishments the skill
ed branches of labor is the selfishness
OF the individual. This class of man
has no thought of or solicitude for any
one but himself, and is adverse to the
sacrifice Of anything without promise
and prospect Of speedy if not immedi-,
ate return. He is willing enough to
u sruufs
IN his days work, but IS not willing to
sacrifice two hours pay to obtain two
hours relief from arduous toll. While
his wages may be all that his organi-
zation can reasonably demand for ten
hours work, and possibly all that his
employer can, under existing contract,
afford to pay, his resistance to reduc-
tion of hours without reduction of
pay may be really a contention for an
advance in wages not justifiable by
his own condition or the logic of the
situation.
The workman who opposes reduc-
tion of hours in the conventional work.
day, from ten hours to eight hours, be-
cause it would cut his pay might with
the same propriety contend for a
twelve hour day, because it would in
crease his pay to the extend of two
hours. Experience demonstrates that,
in most cases, the price of a days pay
is regulated by the demand for labor
and the supply Of men and women to
perform the same. The pay Is either a
shorter or longer WOrk-day is but tenn
pOrary at best. The work under a
longer day would be worth but a nomi-
nal stipend more than the short one,
but with no assurance of stability; for
the amount of labor performed by in
creased hours might possibly in time
lose a man his job or lessen the force
by the discharge of others and, in the
surplus of men ready and willing to
work even at reduced figures, he would
find himself compelled to work his
twelve Or even fourteen hours for the
same wages formerly paid for ten
hours. 1t is easy, therefore, to under
stand that an increase Of hours tends
to decrease Of pay, and also, with
equal emphasis, that a decrease of
hours tends to an increase of pay. In
the shorterwork-day more men are en-
ployed, because 1t takes more men to
do the work: the surplus of idle men
is gradually withdrawn from the labor
market, the demand is increased be-
comes greater, than the supply, and
wages naturally rise to the same point,
probably higher for the eight hour
day than that formerly paid for the
ten-hour day. The best paid labor. the
world over. are for men who work the
fewest hours, while the poorest paid
are for the men who work the largest
number of hours. Any one can demon
strate the truth of this assertion by
common everyday observation. -.
The reduction of two hours labor
per day to the workingman is not only
productive Of better workmanship,
more faithfully and cheerfully given.
but adds that much more to rest and
recreation from toll; is preservation
of health to that extend, gives the
father Of a family longer association
and lovable commune with those des-
tined to make his life endurable, con-
tented and happy; inspires him more
worthily with the attributes of man.
hood; increases his. opportunities for
intelligent economic thought and re-
search, and enables him to better com
prehend and enjoy a higher standard
Of citizenship. ~ 'iE,5'"-3' g7.< -
/