Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-05-16
MASSMEETING OF MACHINISTS
In the Interests of the Nine
hour Day Movement.
VARIOUS SHOPS REPRESENTED
The Men to Stand Firmly For
the Demand,


A massmeeting Of maohinists was
held in Smith Building Monday night
in the interests of the movement for a
nine-hour day with 1O-hoursi nay. The
men want the demand granted to go
into effect next Monday. At a meeting
OF the executive committee, which was
attended by representatives Of different
shops, it was decided to stand firmly for
the demand
Robert L. Lee, treasurer of lodge
1874, presided at the massmeetipp, and
the speakers were Henry John Nelson
OF Philadelphia, George w. Roberts
and Horace Greeley Knowles
Mr.. Nelson declared that we are
living in the midst Of exciting times
and the United States is making his-
tory in the labor movement. II we 90
about things in legal way we can get
them. The shorter day movement has
several objects. 1t stands for work for
these who have no work now: it means
more recreation for the machinist, who
will have more time for trolley rides.
1t means that men who are out Of work
Will receive money and will spend
money which will make a greater de-
mand for goods ana eventually higher
wages 1t means more chance for
education, which is important in a
democracy. Sometimes. the more
educated workingman is the less
likely he is to favor union of effort for
mutual benefit. Thus the brioklayer,
who has learned bis business easier
chan niachinist, gets good wages at
short. hours. II the 1nachiuists stand
together for a nine. hour instead of q
ten ,hour day they can secure it, for
the employers will see that all they
need co 90 is to meet the increase II
cost of labor by raising prices. We
now enjoy ten hour day because men
and women who have gone before us
stood up for that; and We should he
willing to stand ftr a decrease in hours
fol. the benefit it will be to those who
follow US.
Mr.. Nelson gave a review of the
shorter workday movement from its
inception in England in the early part
OF the century. BY 1926 strikes were
numerous for a ten-hour day. Some
worked 10 hours day in textile INDUS
tries. The ten hour day was established
at Baltimore in 1870, and the same
year President Van Buren, proclaine ed
for ten hour day IN government work.
In 1886 there were 200, 600 strikers for
shorter workday, of which $4,000
won for a time. The movement was set
back many years by the anarchist
agitation 10 Chicago. 1t is now recov-
erlne. by decision OF the American
Federation of Labor the metal workers.
trades are now trying to secure nine
hour day. In Philadelphia the men
are doing very we'll, a large majority
being willing to strike for a niue hour
day il necessary.
Mr. Nelson maintained that the
effects OF securing a nipe-hour day will
be altogether beneficial. He advised
his hearers that if strike be necessary
to secure good officers to run it and
obey them, to be orderly and to avoid
drink. He wished them Godspeed in
their movement.
Y George W. Roberts was the next
speaker. He eulogized the honest
He himself learned the
trade Of patternmaker, and while an
apprentice, in 1874. was a member OF
m eight-hoNr league in this city. That
league secured the repeal OF a harsh
attachment law. Mr.. Roberts drew at.
tention to the statement of Charles M.
Sohwab that If he were young man
he would not be labor unionist,
the reason being, according to Mr..
that he would fear to lose his
opportunity 10 become a millionaire.
The speaker said the true spirit of
trade unionism is that. men stand
together not to become millionaires
but for the common good OF the masses
Of worlSingmen This country was not
designed to make millionares. He
favored laws to established uniform
He held that high prices
are good for the workingmen, and that
wages are high when prices are high.
1t has been said that the effect OF tho 4
shorter hour movement would be to
raise the cost of manufactured goods,
and Mr.. Roberts said IL was one of the
reasons WY the workmen should be
more determined in their movement.
Horace Greeley Knowles, who is now
IN attorney, took occasion TO say he
was no stranger to labor, for in his
youth be worked in his fathers print. |
ing office and learned to think with
workingmen. He expressed sympathy
gith anything that would be beneficial |
10 the machinists. He believed an in
ielligent organization was as good for |
IN employer as fer an employs ard that
he desired results could he secured |
Without a strike il properly sought,
I'D without disorder, and the respect of |