Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-06

speak in too high terms Of the success
of these two officers in Cancellation and
settlement of controversies which but
for their interpretation would have re-
suited disastroussy to all interests.
1 invite attention to the very serious
injury caused to all those who are en-
gagged in the manufacture Of phos-
phorus matches. The diseases Incl
dent to this are frightful. and as
matches can be made from other ma
terials entirely innocuous l believe
that the injurious manufacture could
be discouraged and ought to be dis
couraged by the imposition Of a heavy
federal tax. 1 recommend the adop-
ton Of this method Of stamping out
very serious abuse.
Eight Hour Law.
Since 1868 it has been the declared
purpose Of this government TO favor
the movement for an eight hour day
by provision of law that none Of the
employees employed by or on behalf oe
the government should work longer
than eight hours in every twenty-four.
The first declaration of this view was
not accompanied with any penal claur-
and with no provision for its enfoi.
ment. and. though President Grant by
a proclamation twice attempted TO give
1t his sanction and 10 require the Off
GERS of the government 10 carry II out
the purpose Of the trainers of the law
was ultimately defeated by a decision
of the supreme court holding that the
statute as drawn was merely n direc-
ton OF the government 20 its agents
and did not invalidate a contract made
in behalf of the government which
provided in the contract for labor for
a day OF longer hours than eight.
Thereafter. I'm 1892. the present eight
hour law was passed. which provides
that the services and employment OF
all laborers and mechanics who are
now or may hereafter be employed by
the government of the United States.
by the District OF Columbia or by any
contractor or subcontractOr on any OF
the public works of the United States
and Of the said District Of Columbia
is hereby restricted TO eight hours in
any one calendar day. and It shall be
unlawful. etc.
This law has been construed TO limit
the application Of the requirement 70
those who are directly employed by
the government or 10 those who are
employed upon public works situate
upon land owned by the United
States. This construction prevented
fits application 10 government battle
ships and other vessels built in private
shipyards and to heavy guns and ar
NOR plate contracted for and made at
private establishments.
The proposed act provides that no
laborer or mechanic doing any part OF
the work contemplated by a contract
with the United States in the employ
of the contractor or any subcontractOr
shall be required or permitted to work
more than eight hours a day in any
one calendar day.
1t seems to me from the past history
that the government has been commit
ted to a policy of encouraging the lin
itation Of the days work to eight
hours in all works of construction ini-
tiated by itself. and 1t seems TO me IL
logical to maintain n difference be-
tween government work done on gov
eminent soil and government work
done in a private establishment. when
the work is OF such large dimensions
and involves the expenditure Of much
labor for q considerable period. so that
the private manufacturer may adjust
himself and his establishment TO the
special terms of employment that he
must make with his workmen for this
particular job.
To require. however. that every small
contract Of manufacture entered into
by the government should be carried
out by the contractor with men work
ing at eight hours would be 70 impose
an intolerable burden upon the govern
ment by limiting its sources Of supply
and excluding altogether the great ma
jority Of those who would otherwise
compete for is business.
The proposed net recognizes this IN
the exceptions which II makes 10 con-
tracts "for transportation by land or
water. for the transmission OF intelli-
gence and for such materials or artl-
cles as may usually be bought in the
open market, whether made to conform
70 particular specifications or not, or
for the purchase OF supplies by the
government, whether manufactured 70
conform 10 particular specifications or
not"
I recommend that instead OF enacting
the proposed bill. the meaning or
which IS not clear and definite and
might be given a construction embar-
RAISING 10 the public interest. the pres
ent act be enlarged by providing that
public works shall be construed TO in
clude not only buildings and work
upon public ground. but also ships.
armor and large guns when manufac-
tured I'm private yards or factories.
One of the great difficulties in en-
forcing this eight hour law Is that its
application under certain emergencies
becomes exceedingly oppressive and
there is a great temptation TO subor-
dinate officials 10 evade IL.
I think that It would he wiser 10
allow the president by executive order
to declare an emergency in special In
Stancas in which tho Limitation mfghf