The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-10
BIG INCREASE IN
lABORERS' PAY

The additional cost to the city IL the la
borers are given a 10 per cent advance in
their wages as Commissioner OF Public
Works Walter r. Slade Will recommend TO
the city council tonight, will be SS5.50O. ac-
ccrding 10 the commissioners report
If the working hours were reduced from
10 TO nine hours per diem. the additional
cost would be the same: and II they were
reduced from nine hours TO eight hours it
would cost SA,300; making the total add-
tional cost $lS,soO for a change from 10
hours To eight hours.
Commissioner Slade's report. which he
VIII present to the city council this even
ing Is as follows:
I'm order TO arrive at as correct an es-
Innate as possible, all the labor pay-rolls
have been taken for the fiscal year ending
September 30. 1906, as basis for sucn
estimate
I'm estimating the effect OF any change
from a 10 hour TO nine hour working
day. allowance has been made for a Pc
Rod of the year when the days are TOO
short to admit working more than nine
hours. and for which 1t has been the GUS.
tom 10 allow a fun days pay. The est-
mated cost per year OF such a change is
as follows:
Highways, so, 600: sewer maintenance.
1920; bridges, maintenance, $50, water,
5000; sewer construction. and special
bridge and highway construction. $500;
total. $35, 500
ANY further change from nine hours
To eight hours would entail an additional
cost per year as follows Highways
s24.5oo; sewer maintenance $500: bridges
maintenance, Sll0o, water, $Sgo; sewer
construction, and special bridge and hign-
way construction, 1890, total, sii.SJO rms
would make a total cost OF S19.s10 for any
change from a ten-hour 10 an eignt-hour
working day.
An act of the general assembly rela-
tive TO the department or public works
limits the authority or the commissioner
in fixing the pay OF any employe TO SlUoo
per annum. But there appears no lust
reason why the department should not
meet the labor market conditions by ad-
vancing the pay practically 10 per cent.
TO Its employees engaged outside the city
hall, whose pay Is not now based on the
present labor market conditions. provided
sucn advance does not exceed the sum
OF 5000 per year for any one person, and
also where IL is practical. All employees
10 be employed by the hour; and / rec
ommend the same.
The cost OF such advance I'm pay
would aggregate about the same amount
as stated IN the nrst estimate, namely.
$500 per annum.
las the present fiscal year is well ad-
vanced the department work could con-
tinue as usual for the balance Of the
year by the additional appropriation OF
the following sums: Highways. $4,000;
sewer maintenance $500; bridges, main
tenance, $tO0.
Lartment would be provided from the
money received from water rates and the
remaining construction accounts from
borrowed money.
Il propose 10 make such advance I'm
pay, II such advance is supported by
action OF the city council.
II am advised by the city solicitor
that Il is within the power OF the com
missioner OF public works To respond to
the practical existing conditions OF the
labor market and make such advances in
wages. subject 90 not exceeding the ap-
preparations made by the city council for
this department, and that such power Is
different matter from that involved in
the proposition 90 establish an eignt-hour
day with ten-hour wage without refer
ence 10 the practical existing conditions OF
the labor market, concerning WhlCh ne
gave his opinion. under date OF July 20
1910, 10 the joins special committee and ls
consistent win the principles OF law and
legal authorities upon which said opinion
was based.
Before any change is made that the
city council may deem wise and proper
u adopt, ] feel that it De- my duty 10 pre-
scnt as nearly az possible the exact condi-
tions and cost. The estimates are Inoder-
ate. Either tho additional Appropriations
must b. made or the work OF the DEPART
ment decreased especially an 50 FAR as
construction OF new streets e. concerned
AS the whole question involves either
additional appropriations or a reduction An
the usual work OF the department ! re-
spectfUlly request an expression Of the
city council sanctonlng an advance IN
wages as recommended
Through an oversight Commissioner OF
Public Works. Walter r slado neglected
a. sivc a copy OF his report. which he will
present 10 the city council tonight 10 tie
special cight-hour day committee until A.
met this noon. COMMISSIONS GLADE ap-
ptarcd before the committee and made an
e>rlanafion entirely satisfactory
fic also Informed the committee that he
had also decided 90 allow his men 90
work ~ hours a day. as before, II they