The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-12-10
GOVERNMENT REPORTS
SHOW WISDOM OF
SHORTER WORKDAY

In an important report made by Prof.
Irving Fisher, of Yale University, to
the National Conservation Commission,
and just issued by the government
printing office at Washington it is ex-
pressly and unequivocally stated that
the most careful Investigations show
that the eight hour day results in n
higher individual and general efficiency
both as to quality and quantity of pro-
duct. Professor Fisher says
"The present working day is a strik-
ing example of the failure to conserve
national vitality. In order to keep la
Dor power unimpaired, the working day
should be physiological-i.e. it should
be such as would enable the average in
dividual to completely recuperatc over
night Othrwise instead of a simple
daily cycle, there is a progressive de-
terioration. A reduction in the length
of the work day would be chief means
of improving the vitality of workmen,
as well as the worth of life to them.
"The fatigue of worllmen is largely
traceable to their long work day and
serves to start 4 vicious circle. Fatigue
puts the workman in an abnormal
frame of mind. He seeks to deaden his
fatigue by alcohol, tobacco exciting
amusements. and eXcesses of various
kinds. The momentary relief which
he thereby obtains is purchased at the
expense of an increasing susceptibility
to fatigue, resulting sooner or later in
complete depletion OF his vital energies
and in the contraction of tuberculosis
or other fatal disease. The decrease
in the length of the working day has
not diminished the total output
AN instance in which the eight hour
day superseded the nine hour day with
ire success is the case Of the Stafford
Iron Works, of Mather & Platt, at Man
chester England which changed to the
eight hour day in 1893. As the firms
products We're subject to keen compe-
tition in both home and foreign mar
kets. it was obliged to lool, carefully
after the labor cost, and its conclusion
that such cost did not increase in con-
sequence of the reduction in working
hours was reached after extremely ac-
curate comparisons by accountants,
who of course took into consideration
the saving in consumables, wear and
tear. fuel etc. The bureau of labor
inquired of Messrs Mather & Platt if
they were still on the eight-hour basis,
and received reply dated May "a,
1904 in which they stated that
"'Our experience since the first year
in which it (thc eight t-hour system)
was tried has fully borne out the con
clusions then arrived at, and we are
fully satisfied that as regards the com
parison between eight aud nine hours
per dav. the balance of advantages is
in favor of the shorter period la)
"In 1894, the hours of labor of
about $4,000 workmen in British gov
eminent factories and workshops were
reduced to forty-eight hours per week.
IOf this number. $4,000 received a re-
Juction of five and three fourths hours
/ a week. and "a 300 had their time re
duced two and one half hours a week.
With no change in piece rates the work
men were able to cam as much as
formerly. Day workers received an in
creased hourly rate of pay to make
their earnings per week of forty eight
hours equal to those per week of fifty
hours. 1t was not found necessary to
increase the number OF day workers.
(b)'"
TN 1899 the owners of the great
Zeiss optical goods factory at Jena,
Germany. introduced the eight hour day
and thcn made careful records of the re
suits. In 1908 it was announced that
although the aggregate number of hours
worked had decreased Is per cent the
output per hour had increased 1862 per
cent. (el
AT Liega it was found in sulphuriC
acid establishment similar to a foun-
dry (b) that shortening the working
dav from eleven hours to ten, from ter
to nine. ana so on gradually down tC