Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-14
.CHINAMEN WILL
WORK TEN HOURS
CHAIRMAN sHoNTz OF THE PANA.
MA CANAL COMMISSION
MAKES STATEMENT
Answers Charge of President Gompers
of the American Federation Of Labor
Better For Them to Put in Their
Full Time.

New York Aug. 13.-Cha1rman
Shontz, of the Panama canal commits
sion, who arrived Saturday, gave out
statement with regard to the one is
sued by President Gompers, of the
American Federation of Labor, Shontz
said in part:
''The eight-hour law does not apply
to unskilled labor on the isthmus Of
Panama. The entire present unskilled
labor force is alien. We cannot secure
this class of unskilled labor from the
United States. 1t is, therefore, not
seen why law passed in the interest
of American labor at home, should be
made to apply to alien labor, which
probably never heard of it's existence.
Its application would have increased
the labor cost of the canal several mil
lion dollars. The American laborer in
this country would have to pay his
share of the consequent increased tax
alton without any compensation or ben
eft to himself.
Object of 3-Hour Day.
cat the time of my Interview with
Gompers, in discussing the eight-hour
law, aside from what l have already
ooiu, oeelICO 7l11c1I LILY ulloSl olol1ul4e VI
the reason for the enactment of the
eight-hour law in this country was pri-
marily to give to the highest type of
labor in the world longer hours for
mental recreation and Improvement;
but that with the lowest class of labor,
as at Panama, it was more helpful and
improving, more in their interests and
more an act of kindness than other.
wise, to permit them to work ten hours
day and pay them for ,it-because
they are paid by the hour.
Gas to the statement of Gompers
that the existing law excludes Chinese
laborers and coolies from the United
States or any of it's possessions, and
that the Panama canal zone is an
American possession, and it is as much
violation of the law to bring Chinese
coolies there as it is to other portions
of our country, can only say that the
commission has secured the opinion OF
the highest legal authorities of the gov
eminent.
Chinese Are Not Barred.
'It has been said that such law does
not apply to the canal zone. The law
excluding the Cheese from the United
States and it's possessions, was passed
in March, 1903, and specifically sci
forth that such laws should only be
applicable to the territory at that time
subject to the authority of the United
States. The canal zone was acquired
subsequent to that date, and congress
has not extended its provisions SO as
to embrace the canal zone.
"The canal must be dug, and the
| first requisite is to have labor to dig it
We do not believe it wise or economi
cal to depend only on West Indian ne
groes. We cannot secure unskilled la
Dor in sufficient volume in the United
States. 1t is therefore not in compe
tition with our own labor. Any agree
ment entered into will provide for the
return of the Chinese direct to China
upon completion of service on the ca
nal work.
sIn conversation with Gompers, the
well-known views of Mr. Shontz as t.
labor on the isthmus, both with respec
to the possibility of future employment
of Chinese and otherwise, were practi
cally set forth as above and the misun
derstanding must have been due to {
Misrepresentation of his position"