Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-27
pRoeADLE THAT coNoREss WILL
EXTEND PRESENT LAW IN IA
voR OF LABOR.
BILL CALLS FOR SHORTER
HOURS AND CONTRACT WORK
Eight. Hour Day Now Appiiss to All
Federal Departments But Plan 10 to
Extend u to All Firms Accepting
Contracts For Government Work.
Other News.
rsnecial correspondence.l

Washington, Jan. 21.--Friends of or
ganized labor who have been carefully
casting over the situation in the sem
ate committee on education and labor
and in the senate itself have come to
the conclusion that an eight-hour law
will be passed at this session of con-
Eress.
If this legislation goes thru, 1t will
be hailed by organized labor as q dis
tinct step in advance. 1t viii not be
d radical step, it is true. but labor
leaders and friends of organized labor
in congress think it will be OF much ad-
vantas e.
The Hughes bill, which has already
passed the house, IS pending before the
committee on education and labor OF
whio, Senator Borah is chairman. can
vases show that it will be reported
out of committee. Once out of com
r,ittee. II is declared there are votes
enough to pass it in the senate unless
it is blocked in some indirect and I'M
expected fashion.
Would Be Extension Of System.
Under the existing law, an eight
hour day is required on government
work. TIE pending bill would require
an eight hour day on contracts with
the government covering the same, ma
ture OF work as the government itself
does For instance, under the law now,
when the government builds a battle
ship itself the eight hour dag applies.
Eut private company building pat
tleship does not have to apply the
eight hour day SO far as the general
law is concerned. Some of the navy
appropriation bills have put in an
eight hodr provision. II should be said.
II this law passes, there will then ne
a general requirement that battle
ships built by private concern for the
government shall be built by eight
hour 10 Dor. AT the same time. the
eight-hour day will apply when the
government itself does the work.
Another illustration would be in the
case Of rifles or ordnance for the army.
Under the law now. If made in gov
eminent arsenal, the eight-hour day
obtains. But If private concern were
given a contract for arms. the law does
not require the eighthour day. In
der the Hughes measure. the eight
hour day would be required whether
the government Ola the lIldHuidc ihS
or the private company did it for the
government.
One effect Of the law. it Is pointed
out. viii be to put the government and
the private company on an even basis.
When the eight-hour day applies to
each alike, 1t will be possible to tell
whether the government or the private
company manufacture. the more
cheap1y.
Opposition to this extension Of the
eight hour day is not lacking. 1t Is
commended by some OF the employing
interests that If the government goes
70 this length in respect to the eight
hour day, the next step will be an at
tempt at legislation requiring the
eight hour day In private business
having no relation to the government
The privilege OF unlimited debate in
the senate may seriously interfere with
the passage Of the bill, especially if IT
is held back until we'll toward the end
OF the session. However. its friends
will endeavor to get II to the floor
early and thus preclude the possibility
of an effective flibuster against it.