The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-06
GIVE LABOR A CHANCE.

49, ~ 4A00V4B a SA&A4ANS AAs
Mr.. ID. A. Tompkins in his proposed
act relating to labor suggests that six
ty-six hours shall constitute weeks
work. This is eleven hours a day six
days in the week, or twelve hours a
day five days in the week with six
hours ON Saturday.
1t may be that this amount of labor
is required in the present condition
of Southern cotton mills. 1t may be
that we cannot at present compete
with Northern mills unless our opera
tives work more hours in the day. We
hope this is not the case. If it be so
and remain SO permanently, we shall
in the long run be unable to compete
with the Northern mills. Under such
a system our mill hands are bound to
degenerate in the long run and even
tually to become even more inferior
to Northern mill hands than they now
are.
The real interest, the lasting inter-
est, of the mill workman is the same
as that of the mill owner. Whatever
tends to improve the physical, inter
lectual and moral efficiency of the
workman, must be advantageous to
the mill owner, and whatever tends to
degrade the workman physically, in
tellectually or morally, must be hurt
full to the mill.
1t is hard life at best, that of the
mill, more wearing on body, nerves
and disposition than any other occu-
patton in our State. The hours of
work, therefore, should be made as
few as possible. If inefficient labor
does not permit this, steps should be
taken to remove the difficulty by Sc
curing greater efficiency of labor. Ed
ucation, manual training and freedom
from mill labor for children would
help to make the next generation
more efficient.
Our mill hands are now drawn
from the farm, where the conditions of
life are favorable to health, strength
emit stock of mill hands can be used
up, worn out, cast aside like machin-
cry; and a fresh supply will come in
again from the farm. But this pro-
cess cannot go on forever The time
must come when the children of mill
hands will furnish the supply of mill
operatives. Under present conditions
i'm our mills, it will not take many gen.
fragile out, degenerate. Many of our
mill owners understand this, and are
ready and willing to see the State take
such steps as are necessary to protect
ers who have studied the problem
doubtless recognize the necessity of
such action.
We hope that the hours can be made
fewer than sixty-six a week as sug-
gested by Mr.. Tompkins. Ten hours
a day is enough for work of that char
acter. 1t would not only improve the
health of mill workers, but would also
enable them to have little more home
life than they now enjoy, and thereby
increase their attachment to the mill.
The human machine is like the ma
chine of wood or metal. 1t can be
worn out gu ickly by violent or Excess
sive use; or it can be used wisely, intel
ligently, economically and with con-
slant regard for its protection, pres
ervation, and Improvement. Every
well managed mill puts aside annual
ly a fund for the replacement of
worn machinery. 1t should also pro-
vide against the wearing out of its
human machinery. This can be done
by reducing the hours of labor and
increasing facilities for education and
recreation.