The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-26
why They Oppose Enactment Of the
Proposed Eight-Hour Law and the
Anti-Conspiracy Measure.
NO FIGHT ON ORGANIZED LABOR
CLAIM THAT AN EIGHT-HOUR LAW
WOULD CAUSE BUSINESS RUIN.
Results of Such Statutes I'm Foreign
Countries-Harsh Legislation De-
cIared Unnecessary.
Journal.


The National Association OF Manufacture
ers Is opposed to two bills being urged by
organized labor. but the association has no
fight against organized labor itself. The
bills which we oppose are called the eight
hour and anti-conspiracy measures.
The eight-hour bill, which Is fathered
by Samuel Gompers, has passed through
the lower branch of Congress three times
In succession There has practically been
no debate on this measure, and the entire
responsibility has been evaded by congress
men. and United States senator's have been
compelled to accept the burden OF disposing
OF this measure. The eight-hour bill is to
the effect that If any contractor. or If any
manufacturer making contracts with the
government shall work his men over eight
hours per day for the making of any goods
TO be sold to the government, then that
manufacturer shall be fined s. per day for
each and every employe who is permitted
to work over eight hours. The bill is sup
posed to apply only to government con-
tracts, but Mr.. Gompers has frankly adj
mitted in a hearing before the House COM
mittee on labor that the bill is designed
TO force the eight-hour day upon the entire
country.
An analysis of the bill shows that IL will
affect every line of industry in the United
States 1t is particularly oppressive in it's
application to the shipbuilding and iron in
terests- We all know that large sums
Of money have been invested in great ship
building plants. In order that our people
may get the benefit OF building the govern
ment battleships. The employees OF these
shipyards are working ten hours a day
and receive the highest wages that are
paid by any shipbuilding concerns in the
world. They are perfectly satisfied with
their hours OF labor AMI desire that the
present prosperous conditions be main
tanned. but Mr.. Gompeis tells them and
other workers that they ought to work
only eight hours, and for this eight hours
they should receive ten hours pay. OF
course. such a proposition as this is eco
nomically absurd. Mr.. tiompers bases his
argument upon this proposition: IF the
hours OF labor are lessened, more workers
will be employed"
WHAT MUST HAPPEN.
Now, In a general sense. OF two things
one must happen: either the total amount
OF wages will remain the same, and conse-
quently each worker will receive less
wages, or each worker will receive undi-
minished wages, in which case the total
amount Of wages will be increased; then
the profit OF the trade will be diminished
or changed to a loss, unless the price of
the product can be raised; but IL the price
OF the product be raised, its consumption
must fall of, and Their there will be less
demand for labor and consequent unem-
ployment; or. maybe, the foreign competi-
ton will drive out our native product OBJ
tanned at high cost III favor of a product
obtained at a lower cost. In either case,
the workman. so proud of the diminution
Of his hours OF labor, will find himself in
the street at the door Of the closed work.
shop. reduced to bitter meditation on the
right to idle proclaimed by Mr.. Gompers
and other laborites. and to cry: Save me
from my friends"
The bill, as applied to the shipbuilding
and iron interests. mems that these great
concerns will have to increase their capt.
talization and plant ore-fifth, IL the hours
fifth Organized labor does not propose To
share any OF this burden of increased capt.
talization. 1t Is painful thing TO tell an
emf employer S that ne must go out on the street
capitalization, In order that he may in
crease his plant so thai this eight-hour day
can be made possible.
IL is manifestly true; that IL the hours NJ
labor are TO be shortened 20 per cent then
% per cent. more labor must be employed
10 make the same output. This requires
additional machinery and additional floor
space. in order that there may be room for
men and machinery The ordinary manu-
facturer cannot suddenly increase his can't
talization 20 per cent. without being re-
uuced 10 besgary. If the factories are to
close. then the men who so DANGEROUSLY
demand the passage CT this eight-hour Hill
VII VIII be out OF work. and the result will be
tnat inside or fve years after the applica-
ton of such a measure we shall have
condition OF industrial prostration in this
country the like of which we have never
before experienced.
COURTING RUIN.
Short-hour legislation has been tried in
France and was kicked out OF that country
by the general consent of both EMPLOYERS
and employees. as 1t produced nothing but
strikes. lockouts and distress
England Is now on the nine-hour working
basis. and that country is approaching in
dustrial destruction. 1T is the A 3, C. logic
that II Germany and France are working
their people twelve and fourteen hours a
day. having adopted the best designs of
American machinery. that the United
states cannot compete on the eight-hour
basis AS nation We are simply Counting
ruin IL We attempt 60 carry out any such
absurd proposition. The bill simply means
mat men are TO be paid 20 per cent. more
increased taxation for every man i'm this
country, and L feel that We are already
taxed heavily enough.
Organized labor OF :the United States only
represents IL per cent. of the workers Vet
these people insist that the remaining SS
per cent shall pay additional taxes in or
der that they may receive wages in VIOLA
ton OF economic law. IL the world is to
get rich by working fewer hours and pro-
ductng less wealth. let us all get into the
band wagon and join the clamor for a
glorious eight-hour day.
The anti-conspirasy measure which is
opposed by the National Association of
try from England. This measure simply
means that I'm case of a strike the TTnited
States courts shall not have power to en-
join strikers from S''picketing'' a factory
out OF existence. Man have perfect right
10 organize and for n unions; they have a
right TO strike. In orsder that their condition
may be bettered, tslt here Is where their
power should stop. Once having quiz their
positions they should go away from their
place of work and give the EMPLOYER a right
TO attempt TO carrs on his business PM
this anti-conspiracy; measure declares that
once having struck. the men shall also
have the right 10 = and around In front ~
the factory and brcwbeat and BULLDOG az.
cry man who might desire to go TO work
The major powers OF the United states
judges are those derived from statutory
provisions made By Congress. AS the Sit
uation Is now. our United States Judges can
compel strikers TO Depart from the place OF
ployer may be Left In peaceful possession
OF his establishment: but this bill deprives
the United States, judges OF the powers
given 10 them by Congress. The passage
OF this bill simply means a reign OF terror
In this country. ard the measure must be
- 49, ct ~-xx~I<- H.