The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-26
EIGHT-HOUR LAW
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON HERE
TO TALK TO CONTRACTORS.
Complaints Of the Violation of the
Law in Wichita.

State Labor Commissioner johnson ar
rived in the city last night from Topeka
and will hold a conference at 10 o'clock
this morning at the Carey hotel with a
number of contractors who Go muni-ipaI
work upon the application and the pro-
visions OF the eight hour law.
Mr.. Johnson had gained certain infor-
nation that the law was rot being en-
forced in Wichita, and this was the pur-
pose Of his visit Recently there was a
suit in court wherein the eight hour law
was involved and this was probably
brought 10 his attention Mr.. Johnson
wishes as many contractors as possible
to be present, and prepaI atory to his
visit he sent the following letter to a
number Of the contractors:
Topeka, Kan. May a. 1900.
Dear Notwithstanding that there is a
difference Of opinion among contractors
as to application Of the state eight hour
law, with regard 10 state, county and city
work. 1 desire to hold a conference with
all the contractors Of your city to ex-
plain its application and enforcement, at
the Carey Hotel Saturday, May %, 10 a.
N. You are respectfully invited to be
present. Yours very truly,
W. L. A JOHNSON,
Commissioner
The intention OF the labor comm. ssion-
ers visit is not for the purpose of prose
cutting any alleged violation OF the eight
hour law but simply to enlighten the pub
Hccontractors and others interested in
public work in the city and to talk the
matter over that the law may be freely
understood as to its app icadon and en-
forcement. To a reporter for the Eagle
Mr.. Johnson said:
There are many people who DO not I'M
derstand the true Interpretation of the
law. II has been on the statute books
for q number OF years and covers ali
municipal. county and state work. 1t not
only fixes the number Of hours at eight
per day but also prescribes a rate, which
shall be the same as paid for the respec-
tive work by others. 1t is my duty 10 see
that the law is observed. Many do not
that contractor taking mu-
nicipal work is required to obey the eight
hour law. While Ae is not the principal
he is the servant Of a munic-
lpAAty ana comes dAQtT the PROVISIONS
Of the law. The punishment for the vio-
latlon Of this statute is a fine of not less
than $50 nor more than $500 or both fine
and Imprisonment not exceeding one year
in jail"
Asked as TO the difficulty encountered
in enforcing the law, he said:
I'm state work there is no trouble at
all, but in some municipalities it is not
fully observed, although I have made but
few prosecutions. IN Kansas City, Kan,
the law was openly violated and I prose-
cuted five contractors. The object OF the
passage of the eight hour law is to ulti-
mately get all classes of labor on q basis
of eight hours"
Mr.. Johnson is a boiler maker by trade
and for five years was national president
OF that order He believes labor unions
are stronger than they ever were before.
The laboTing classes, he says, are realz-
ing more and more every year that eco
nomic means must be resorted TO and
tina, strikes are not always nee sssary Or
advisable TO promote the interests of the
laboring man or organized labor.