Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-02-20
Defends the Eight Hour Law

day Is not wanted ELMER Dy the CHI
ployers or emplees 1t Is socialistic
legislation of the worst character"
The person who is alleged to have
made this broad statement is lawyer
named Davenport, who represents those
opposed to the shorter work day their
crusade to defeat the bill now pending
before the federal congress. He has
simply stated that which he can not
substantiate.
The bill now before congress, II en-
acted. will give to certain employees on
government work, whether the same Is
done directly by the government or by
contract. an eight hour work day. The
measure was passed by the lower house
during the last session of congress, but
failed in the senate, where the commit
tee absolutely refused to report it, fear
ing favorable action.
The contention of Mr.. Davenport
that the employees do not want the
eight hour law" is not sustained, as
shown by the action of the employees d.
rectly Interested If there employees did
not desire the eight hour law, why did
they propose the measure? When 1t
failed of passage a year ago, why did
they go before the American federation
of labor at it's last session and ask its
aid? And why did these employees ad-
dress to every labor union In the coun-
try, a circular letter asking them to
urge the congressional delegations to
vote for the passage of the eight hour
law?
Again, he says: 1T is socialistic leg
islation of the worst character" This
rs absurd and unworthy OF man of
intelligence He knows, II he knows
anything at all that the eight hour
day now on tn statute books. affecting
nearly 100000 federal employees. has
produced nothing of a socialistic spirit.
Let Mr.. Davenport or any citizen cali
as witnesses the great army of Uncle
Sans letter carriers who are benefi-
Charles of an eight hour law. and as to
any or all the direct question: Are
you opposed to the eight hour work day
or do you prefer to work ten hours. in
stead of eighth" Let him ask the same
question of any one of the hundreds of
thousands OF trades unionists who have
secured the eight hour day for them
selves. And the answer will be EN-
phaticaily in favor of the eight hour
day and the law. More than this, ask
any one of the carpenters local union.
or the night workers of the local typo
graphical union the same question. The
answer will corroborate the mail car
riers. "Sociaiistic legislation of the
worst sort" was only thrown I'm to
prejudice unthinking minds,
The eight hour work day has not so
far injured the moral or physical ma
ture of these who enjoy It, On the con-
trary its effect has been for the better.
This is the principal contention of its
advocates. Whenever 1t can be shown
that it's effect will give to the country,
class of workers. physically unable
to meet the requirements of trade, COM
merce and war; whenever. 1t can be
shown that IL will give us d citiznship
Of low morals. then will the agitation
cease so far as the trades unions are
concerned
The supreme court of the United
States has had the eight hour law be-
fore II In various forms and has in a
half dozen or more cases sustained the
general principles contended for by Its
advocates the right of legislatures to
pass such laws and provide penalties;
20 protect life and health OK employees
This august body saw no "socialistiC
legislation of the worst character" In
the Utah statute, which provided ar
eight hour day for miners and smelter-
men. The mine owners association
sought to have the law set aside as UNI
constitutional. The court found for de-
PENDANT, the case was carried to the
United States supreme court, the court
took the position that "the state have
the right to limit the hours for labor
to those engaged In dangerous or un-
healthy employments" (See Holder
VS.. Hardy. t69 U. S. S6t; is Sup. CT
sS7; AZ l.. Ed. $50.
Again. In the case of Reese VS.. Akin
on appeal from the Kansas supreme
States failed to find the eight hour Law
of that state "socialistice Legislation OF
the worst character"
Akin was contractor living at Kan
sas City, Kan, He secured a contract
to lay a pavement. ie hired his men
and they signed contract with him to
work ten hours for a day. But the
Kansas law provided that eight hours
should constitute day upon all state
municipal and county work and pro-
vided penalty The object here by
contract was to evade the law. Akin
was arrested and and fined, He APP
peal TO the Kansas court and this body
seeded the law unconstitutional. 1t
was then taken to the federal supreme
court OF the United States, where
on November 80. 1903. the law was
decIared constitutional The opinion
was written by Justice Harlan and in
part is as follows:
Whatever, may have been the mo-
tive controlling the enactment of the
statute in question. we can imagine no