Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-07
KEEPING ALERT EYE
Virginia Democrats Watching
the Presidential Situation.
WILSON MEN ENTHUSIASTIC
Movement to Enforce Eight Hour
Day in Departments.
MEN ENTHUSIASTIC

Sprclai Dispatch to The Star.
RICHMOND, Va. January 6-Eirginia
democratic politicians are keeping an eve
on the presidential situation and the
preferences by the recognized leaders of
the party, and for that reason practically
no on is committing himself to any as
pirant There is no denying the fact
that the position taken by Senators Mar
tin and Swanson will have as much TO do
with shaping sentiment and crystaliz-
ing support for a candidate as will be
eNerted by any other leaders in the
state. In fact, If they shall declare for
the candidacy Of any enc person that
will be one of the important factors in
the selection of delegates to the demo-
cratic national convention. The belief
is expressed that the two senators will
throw their choice to Gov. Judson Har-
mon of Ohio. and if that shall prove to
be the case then it is easy to believe
that it will not require much of fight
to get the Virginia delegates to vote for
the Ohio governor. 1t will be something
unusual for the senator's to come out
and champion any man at this time,
however, for the reason that there is no
telling what will develop to make il in
advisable to nominate certain gentle
man, and to oppose any other at this
time would be to place the state at a
disadvantage and prevent that harmony
and unanimity which are desira BILE. wv
eyer. there is no question that whoever
the democrats in national convention
shall nominate he can count on receiv-
ing the vote of Virginia.
Supporters of Gov. Wilson are enthu-
siastic, and in some sections there are
steps afoot to organize Wilson clubs.
This is due to a spirit of loyalty to the
distinguished son of Virginia and de-
n hnS him nod for. no
dency. hoping that Virginias prestige as
the mother of states and of statesmen
may to that extent return to her.. All
the possible candidates have friends in
Virginia. No mention has been made
for the holding of meeting by the state
committee to select a date and place for
the state convention.
Eight Hours Work.
Employees in the state departments will
have to put in eight full hours when
holding state jobs The matter will
come up at the approaching session of
the legislature. There Is concerted
move on the part of some of the law
makers, who have declared that they
will favor the eight-hour requirement
for many reasons the principal being
that the employees are well paid, they
have all the holidays, with half hOl-
iday Saturday: they get vacation
each year, and there is demand for
more men in so many instances that 1t
has resolved itself into one of two things
either longer hours or a reduction of
pay i'm order TO provide the extra help.
The state is not in a position to add
any burdens to its exchequer. A vast
majority of the employees get to work at
. O'Clock, have an hour for lunch, and
the Offices are closed at three, five hours
being about the limit for the officials
The demand will be that they shall put
in eight full hours each and every day
in the year, save Saturdays. when they
are to work half day. The clerks are
considerably agitated over this, having
become used to the old condition of af-
fairs, but the taxpayers are saying that
they do not see why they should be
called on to work eight to twelve hours
a day in order to pay salaries to men
who work less than six hours a day.
Will Entertain Legislators.
Richmond's members of the general as
sembly will held reception in honor of
the out-of-town legislators Wednesday |
night. The affair will be of some mag
nitude. and will take place at Murphy |
Hotel There will be banquet, when |
several of the local members. many Of
~ hn