Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1914-10-02
GROW DISCUSSES
EIGHT-HoUR LAW

Empire average some where between
20 and % cents per hour. This for
10 or II hours work means a daily
wage of from $40 to $500 per day.
Now let us shorten the hours to eight
and instead of the above wages the
workmen will have from $3.50 to 81
per day. Either one of two things
will occur if the eight-hour law
should be adopted by the voters.
Wages on the farms will be reduced
per hour or the cost of production
will be increased, for the farmer has
the least margin of profits in his
business of all the occupations. The
average income of the farm home is
less than 5000 per annum and if the
cost of production is increased it will
come off the farmer, for he is the
goat that pays the price in the end.
| might adduce very much more ar
gument to prove that universal
eight-hour law would work disas-
trously not only to the farmer but
to the day laborer, as well. However,
did not start in to write against the
eight-hour law, but to set myself and
organization right before the public
on this public question. The Farm
ers Union is opposed to the adoption
of an eight-hour law. |, as a public
official of that organization, am OPP
posed to it. l shall speak, work,
write, and vote against its adoption
because ] believe it will materially
interfere with the farmers economic
interests. | believe it is a mistaken
economic policy of the labor organ
izations to support it. However,
with them | have no quarrel. Our
organization is under no obligation
through its officers or otherwise TO
support it. | suppose each organiza
tion will work and vote for what they
consider is their own interest
| have no desire to commit the
Farmers Union to the support of this
measure; would not if | could, and
could not if | would. | hope it will
be defeated. Not because L. as a
farmer, will be especially benefited
by its defeat, but | believe its adOp-
ton will be disastrous to the general
prosperity of all classes
| know that Mir. McCurtain, repre-
senting the legislative committee of
the Farmers Union is in accord with
nd Cc 10 mi
this entire program. ! have every
reason to believe from remarks made
in my presence that Mr. Kegley is not
supporting the eight-hour law; how
ever, he is amply able to take care of
himself in this controversy and
doubtless will do so.
When the Seven Sisters were be-
ing circulated for signatures every ef-
fort was made by designing men TO
connect them with the eight-hour
law. | then wrote to the Chronicle
and | think the Review that there
was no connection between them and
still in many of the editorials enc
would infer that they were being sup
ported by the same legislative COM
mittee. Five of the seven will appear
on the ballot to be decided by the
voters of this state whether they
shall become laws. | shall support
those measures with all my ability,
because l believe them to be just and
of sound economic policy which will
go far toward tax reduction in this
state. On the other hand snail
work for the defeat of the eight-hour
law for the same reasons.
While | agree with you that men
of influence and following should let
the public know how they stand on
these important questions, | deem This
an opportune time to say that there
is another question coming before
the voters this fall which | deem of
as much Importance to the public as
the eight-hour law. | and the or
ganization l represent have taken a
very decided stand on this question
also. And | believe every leading
should let the public know how they
stand on this very important meas
ure to be voted on by the citizens
OF this state at the November cleo
ton. refer to the prohibition meas
ure under discussion at the present
time by the electors of this state. |
shall work, speak, write, and vote
for this measure in this campaign.
shall do all l can to have it enact
ed into law, not because it will per-
sonally benefit me, but because l
believe it will make better citizen
ship of the present and future zen
erations. / believe the open saloon
is more of menace to the citizene
ship of this state than all the eigN
hour laws We might adopt. | do loy
believe in either.