Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-19
SARDlNE INTERESTS
Wish Exemption from Law Relating to
Hours of Labor.

Although there was 4 small attends
ance of the committee and not more
than half dozen people appeared be-
fore the committee on labor at the
hearing upon the act to amend the
laws relating to the hours Of labor Of
women and children. which was he'd
in the Senate chamber Thursday
evening, the hearing proved a lively
one. It's most interesting feature was
the lively questioning and cross ques-
tioning participated in by John Byrre
Of Lewiston. vice president of the
State Federation of Labor and Repre-
sentative Trmble of Calais, who is a
member of the committee.
The proposed amendment to Section
Sc of chapter 40 of the Revised Stat
utes relating to the hours of labor,
provides for the exemption of any
manufacturing establishments the ma
terials and products of which are per-
ishable and require immediate labor
to prevent decay thereof. or danger
thereto, and of any establishment the
business of which is the manufacture
of cans or containers for such perish
able materials or products.
W. NJ Bradley of Portland appeared
stated that perishabe goods We're can
ned when it was impossible to get all
the help 50 that it was necessary to
work overtime in order to take care
of the goods az they came IN.
In regard to the cans or containers il
was impossible to make them ahead on
account of rust and the inability to
know the size that might be needed
beforehand.
Roscoe Eddy of Bar Harbor said
that he did not believe this piece OK
legislation was called for. If the COM
mittee reported ought to pass upnn
it, blanket would be thrown over the
rest of the legislation upon which it
had reported favorably. He said that
the sardine trust was undoubtedly oii-
posed to this legislation. Two yeas
ago there was a great deal of crltl-
cism made over the exemption of the
sardine people by the last Legislature
He thought that the fish would remain
in the wcirs a reasonable length of
time.
Representative Trimble of Calais re-
minded Mr. Eddy that it was neces-
sary to bring the fish from two to p
miles. and when brought to the fac
tories they must be used at once.
Mr.. Eddy replied that women and
children were allowed to work IS
hours. and six hours additional dur
ing the week if necessary. Let the
men work over time if necessary.
An argument followed between M.
Bradley and Mr.. Eddy as to what ner
cent. of the sardines We're caught in
seines and Mr.. Eddy finally said that
he did not know but thought it might
be as much as ten per cent. Labor
Commissioner Lyons referred the com
mittee to the report figures regard
ing the sardne industry
Then followed a Lively discussion
between Representative Trimble and
Mr.. Byrnes. which was started off by
Mr.. Trimble saying: Since the cot
ton factory operatives asked for\tex-
tile legislation would it not be fair -
postpone opposition to this bill until
it was found out whether or not the
sardine operatives We're opposed to
it," Mr.. Byrnes admitted that he
knew nothing about the sardlne in
dustry Mr.. Trimble finally inquired:
Would it be humane to take away
the privilege of earning money during
extra time for the few months in the
year that the sardine factories rum
Mr. Ryrnes, Il am tired of hearing this
talk 1t is no such like thing"
John Connelley of Bangor. secretary
of the State Federation of Labor. said
he thought the canning trust WAS
itself and asking for a
little too much
Mr.. Eddy said that if this legis a.
ton was passed it would not stop with
the sardine trust 1t would reach |
everything. Mr.. Eddy also alluded to