The Washington herald., 1910-03-16

Following the action of the Central
Labor Union last Monday night IN ADOPT
ing a resolution protesting against the
violation of some Of the civil service
laws. and appealing to President Taft 10
adopt such measures as might put an
end 10 the practiee, friends of the en-
ployes Of the National Geological Park
were discussing yesterday measures to
cause the discontinuanee of violations of
the eight-hour law at the Zoo.
The matter will be brought to the at
tentlon of the Central Labor Union.
which win be requested TO espouse the
cause of the Zoo employees as they have
already done that OF the employees Of the
District government who are employed
at the mouth Of the sewer near the jail
They Work seven Days.
Not only are the employees OF the Zoo
required TO work seven days in the week
but labor in excess OF the eight hours
prescribed by law as the limit OF a days
labor, except in cases of emergency.
While they are allowed annual leave their
hours are long and because the eondi-
tons under which they labor can be
forseen, under the ruling OF the Comp
troller. the situation cannot be construed
as an emergency justifying work for
more than eight hours day
Formerly it was the practice at the zoo
10 give the men every third Sunday of,
but this privilege has been discontinued
and only in exceptional instances can an
employee obtain few hours of on Sun
day. which is the biggest day Of the week
with the animal keepers. This restriction
has been made necessary, Il Is claimed,
by the fact that while for many years
the number of animals to be cared for
has been increasing the number OF keep
ers has decreased.
Schedule shows Nine Hours.
The Zoo schedule now IN the possession
OF the agitators Of the cause shows that
from March Is to April 80 the men are
compelled to work nine hours day. from
May l TO the middle of June and from
September l TO October %. nine and one
half hours a day. and from November Is |
70 the middle of March, eight and one
half hours. In many instances the safety
of the crowds that visit the park de-
ponds upon the vigilance, care. and
bravery OF these men, end TO continue
them on duty beyond period of rational
endurance is not only violating the civil
service laws. but 1t endangers visitors to
the park
Despite the explicit wording OF the
elght-hour law. under one authority or
another, number OF exemptions from
its operation have crept in. until in some
departments of the government it seems
10 be almost as generally disregarded as
observed. IN cases where it is supposed !
TO be enforced many abuses have crept /
IN. until in several branches of the serv-
ice the men find themselves more re-
stricted in their movements than they |
were before the enactment Of the law
stable Men Work Hard.
In connection with certain government
stables. maintained largely for the con-
venience OF those connected with the
service who may have social duties TO
perform. there is almost daily Juggling
of time TO evade the operations Of the
law. In order 10 cover up the ordering
out of the drivers at various hours dur
ing the day. they are technically con-
strued as being on duty only for such
time as they may be on the box. They
report for duty at the appointed hour In
the morning. and after makiig their first
run are told that they are of duty for
an hour or two. until the hour for the |
next call. At times these periods Of rest !
are too short for the men to put them I
10 any personal use. and they are prac-
tically on duty for many hours in excess /
Of the limit prescribed by law
May Correct These Evils.
The amendment to the Sunday closing |
bin advocated BY the Central Labor
Union. in support of which a representa- |
tive OF that body appeared before the
committees of Congress, would correct /
the abuse at the Zoo. in that the amend /
ment, If it is enacted. would necessitate
giving to every lemploye one day a week
OFF, and If it becomes necessary for him /
TO work on Sunday. he must be given
some other day for recreation and rest.
This would leave the question Of the
violations Of the eight-hour law 10 be !
dealt with by the friends of the Zoo en-
ployes have been encouraged in the be-
lief that the Central Labor Union will !
espouse their cause as vigorously as they
have done that of the employees OF the
sewer department Of the District.