Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1903-11-21
THE EIGHT HOUR LAW.
CONGRESS WILL TAKE ACTION
AT THIS SESSION..
II THE BILL IS ENACTED INTO A LAW
All Work Hereafter Done for the Gov
ernment Must Be Handled on an
Eght-Hour Basis.

Washington, Nov. 16.-lt is the de-
termination Of the leaders Of the labor
organizations who have worked so en-
ergetically for years to secure the
passage Of the general bill limiting
work on public buildings and on all
material entering into government
works of every character to eight
hours in any one calendar day, 10
force such a bill to speedy passage at
the regular session of the present con-
gress, and everything points to their
success.
1t Is proposed to make this measure
so vigorous an issue between the con
tractors and the labor unions that the
party leaders will be compelled 10 al
low it to pass before the presidential
election in 1904. The advocates OF the
bill will be largely assisted in their ell
forts By the fact that those who were
formerly active in their opposition to
the measure will not oppose its pass
age at this session. While the Dill
will affect all contractors engaged IN
government work, its operations VIII
fall most heavily upon the ship0ulld-
ers, the makers Of armor plate and the
firms furnishing boilers, windlasseS
and other parts Of ships.
The establishments Of these con
| tractors have long been operated on
nine.hour basis, and it is claimed that
| it Is impossible to secure satisfactory
work In many instances with eight
hour shifts. Certain shipbuilding
firms who have had contracts for the
construction of vessels for the Amer
ican navy have hitherto headed this
opposition, but for obvious reasons
they are not in position to partlci-
pate in contest Of this character dur
ing the coming session.
Their determination not to oppose
the bill practically assures its pass
age, although it will probably be OPP
posed more or less by the National AS
sociatlon of Manufacturers. The op-
position of this association Is believed
by the labor leaders to be an element
in their favor, as the radical course
advocated by D. NJ. Parry of Indian
apois. in the treatment OF labor prop
lens, has made him an object OF spe-
cial antipathy to the laboring element.
and 1t is believed the meMpeIs VI
congress will hesitate to espouse MS
side Of the argument for fear Of an
tagonizing the labor vote.
Representative Sulzer Of New York
has introduced bill of this character
similar to that which passed the house
two years ago, but it is understood
that the bill, which will be considered
in the house committee will be on'
which will be introduced by Represen
tative Gardner. of New Jersey, chair
man of the house committee on labor
Mr. Gardner will not introduce his bil
, until after the committee on labor /
=. appointed Senator McComas, chair
/ man of the senate committee, will i
:. his utmost during the remaining tw
years of his term to secure the passag
of an eight.hour bill. both because h
4, is pledged to this measure and becaus
its passage, he believes, woui
: strengthen him with the labor elemen
T and tend TO rehabilitate the Republ
+ can party in the State Of Maryland
He has introduced an eight-hour bill
\ and will take it up in committee at tn
j first opportunity.