The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-14
ROOSEVELT SAYS
8-HOUR LAW MUST
Be ENFORCED

Washington, Nov. H.--Attorney General
Moody yesterday issued circular letter
Of instructions 10 United States attorneys
regarding prosecutions OF violations OF the
eight hour law in which he says the gov
ernment is determined upon strict en-
forcement of this statute as relating to
public works of he United States.
All United States attorneys are directed
diligently To investigate all complaints
which may come TO them from any source
or violation Of the law, and upon their own
Initiative 10 make investigation IL there
appears any reasonable ground for sus-
pecting a violation and where sufficient
evidence can he secured IL must be sub
mitted to a grand jury with a view TO Sc
curing an indictment.
q. j. Carlton, a lawyer Of HaverhIl.
Mass, has been appointed by the attorney
general TO have special charge Of these
cases in the department. OF Justice
IL Is stated that, while up TO two or three
months ago comparatively few cases of al
legged violations Of the eight hour law
were brought to the attention of tho de-
Partment OF justice. during the last 10
weeks as many as 500 alleged viola ions
have been reported. Mr.. Carlton will act
in conjunction with Commissioner Nell
Of the bureau of labor. who has furnished
much of the evidence upon which the de-
partment is now acting
The text of the attorney generals let
ter Is as follows.
ITO United States Attorneys--By order
of the president Your attention is directed
to the provisions of An Act Relating to
the Limitation OF the Hours Of Daily Ser
vice of Laborers and Mechanics Employed
upon the Public Works of the United
States and Of the District of Columbia,
approved Aug. /. 1892. commonly known
the elght-hour law.
"The government is determined upon -
strict enforcenpnt of this statute. and you
are directed diligently 10 investigate all
complaints which may come TO you from
any source Of violations Of the law ana
upon your own initiative TO make investi-
cation If there appears TO you to be any
reasonable ground for suspecting viola
tion of this law In every case in which
you can secure sufficient evidence you will
submit that evidence TO the grand jury,
with view to securing an indictment.
Your attention Is particularly directed
to the exception I'm the first section Of the
statute under which laoorers and mechan-
les may be worked more nan eight hours
in "A calendar day in case OF extraordinary
emergency I'm a recent case i'm the dis
trct Of Massachusetts Judge Dodge de
fined that phrase as follows: An extraor-
binary emergency such as is contemplated
by the act is the sudden, unexpected hap
pening Of something not of the usual Gus
tomary of regular kind demanding prompt
action TO avert imminent danger To life.
limb. health or property. The possibility
of danger is not enough. The. peril must
be certain. unusuaN imminent and actual
I'm order 10 constitute an extraordinary
emergency such as the statute contem-
plates
Judge Dodge also ruled that probable
pecuniary loss 10 the contractor, unless
due TO an extraordinary emergency. as de-
fined above, Is only an ordinary business
risk.
Il desire 10 impress upon you the I'M
portance of using every effort to execute
these directions, Of being vigilant ana
active I'm this mater. You viii make
prompt and full report To me OF al cases
and OF your action thereon. with your rea-
sons therefore. You will report immedi-
ately the action OF the grand jury and the
results Of all trials. with "A specific state
ment of the penalty imposed.