The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1901-05-14
FOR A SHORTER WORK DAY.

FOR A SHORTER WORK DAY.
The machinists of this city, joining in
the general demand the country over,
are asking fer a reduction Of the hours
uf labor from ten ~ nine hours a day.
This matter uf reducing the hours Of the
work day. has been under discussion in
this country for more than twenty years
The rrasnnablcnrSS of ills demand by
organized labor has been conceded by
the general public long ago. The new
system has been made Tile subject Of
legislation both national ana State, and
in many Of the trades it has been sue
crssfully adopted. There is no good rra-
son why The general work day should not
be reduced TO eight hours. If there is
amy disputed proposition in labor mat
tnrs which time and discussion have
proved, i is that which we have stated
The work day for Tie mechanics ought 10
be reduced TO eight hours.
All the Old arguments against this
proposition are heing swampcd and half
solcd for renewed wear. The interests
of the employers becomes all of sud-
den matters Of gravcst public interest,
and the maintenance Of present condi-
tions matter Of public necessity. The
folly IF all this is apparent, In no case
would the consequences be more serious
than = triting reduction in the per cent.
Of profit on existing contracts. II fol
lows, TO. that if that il to he accepted
aS y good reason Why The workmcn
should not have The benefit If 4 shorter
day. there never would come Il time il
which that difficulty could be overcome
as the making Of contracts is continuous
w" haze newer heard Of any proposition
in all the twenty years of the discussion
Of III" shorter work day question, on tn
part IT the employers, to fix date be
yomd which no ten -honr-a-day contract
w"r" t. H. made. Or upon which the shor
would 10 Il reasonable acquiesence in tn
demand of labor, conceded to be reason
able. and Of which popular sentiment az
proves In the absence Of such a propc
stipm during and after the long discus
son Of the question and rendering q
the popular verdict in its favor the me
are justified in making positive demand
and if possible forcing IN immcdiat
settlement Of tho matter iii their favo
I'll" skill industry ana loyalty Of III
American working man entities him /
This much of Il participation in the pro
it> "a the one Side ANA On the other, til
glory ~ The magnificent achievement
which these qualities have made Pc
Siblc iii the worlds industrial and con
m,rcal war. There is no logic, /
sophi@try. that ran diSprove that prop
Sitiun, or hide III truth
.lnst a this time We are reminded
til plea made FIR the employers, on Il
Scorc If clai'ty-the charity they hal
Slt"@n ID ihr workingman iii unnil
their establishments at loss in order
give work to their employees. 1t do
not need proofs t. make il evident Iii
such cases are very rare; aud WHEREBY
they have occurred they have been FIJI
not hH the patience and industry Of Il
men under reduced pay and lcngthcn,
hours Some If the machine shops
this city arc today running ovcrtin
at,l t,t, 4.
order that contracts may IL filrd II
thai tic employers shall not lose On "a
tracts. II does not pay these men
work night and day. 40 man ought
do il II h. wants 10 he inst TO himself
if b" wants 70 save something Of his ste
Of vitality for old age For that peri
the employers make ~ provision
Bnt again We remember that a gr,
Shipbnilding firm Of this country,
reason of the skill the accuracy Of
work Of their mechanics. The perfect
of the motive power ana hulls Of |
slips they have built. have been al
10 max" splendid profits ont Of the spt
allowances stipulated in their contrac
We recall too, case where a plant
success Of which depended entirely ur
the skill and loyalty Of the mechan
employed, was recently sold for a pr
reported to he over $l,OOO,0OO. 7
owners Of this concern have lived
thirty years at a rate of from $1,000
$4,000 year. Have spent their ca