The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1915-06-18
TATHEN conferences were being
NV held In the effort to gain the
eight hour day without
strike employers took the p(


strike employers took the po-
Ltion that 1t would ruin them to grant
1t. Such fear was baseless, the dan
ger OF insolvency coming from opposi-
ton, which was costly.
The great struggle could have been
avoided had the organized employers
agreed to the establishment of the
eight hour day at some definite time
within a reasonable period. Their
business need not have suffered at all,
as the change did not make such diff
ference In cost as to cause any ap-
prectable diminution in the amount of
printing, while it made possible bet
ter profit In the higher price which
could be asked on account of the re-
duced hours of labor, just the same
as an advance In stock.
Another objection was that II the
eight hour day was accepted q six hour
day would be asked later. No reply
was made for who can say as the
world advances how far the reduction
Of hours may go?
Within the past few months the
problem of unemployment has received
more attention than ever before, but
the only sensible solution is ignored,
whether intentionally or through lack
of brain capacity Is open to specula
tion.
The fewer the hours of labor needed
for days pay the better for both en-
ployers and employees. The real head
OF any business house must keep post
ed on Its affairs, and he will find it less
exacting In proportion as working
hours are generally reduced. Employ
ees will feel life Is better worth living
as the time is increased for study and
recreation. The country as whole will
be the gamer whenever there is q wider
distribution of employment with the
consequent Increase In the number
gaining the opportunity to provide for
their own needs, Can any more salts
factory way be suggested than by re
ducing the hours of labor?
Just imagine work for every one at
fair wages and you win have picture
OF the highest prosperity, which all
claim they want. but few try to get.
When forced TO consider the evils
arising from lack of work, people often
content themselves with saying work
could be found If looked for hard
enough, or else say a change OF occupa-
tion should be sought; but there is not
apparent scarcity OF labor of any
kind except for short periods.
It Is also held that lack of efficiency
Is the cause, ignoring the point that
production would use up the surplus of
inferior labor If the demand were
greater than the supply. In fact if eff
ficiency In general were greater the
product OF each individual would be
larger, and unless consumption increas-
ed not as many workers would be re-
quired as at present And by the way,
there Is a lot Of spurious efficiency
these days, which substitutes pressure
for speed In place of scientific manage
ment. Speed should not be the first
consideration: there must be time to do
things right. and it ought to be given
In the first place rather than have work
to do over and over through too much
hurry.
Employers who oppose betterment OF
the conditions of employees show a
blind selfshness which is both discred-
table and harmful to them. Particu-
iarly so In any movement to reduce
hours of labor That is the only wav
by which prosperity may be secured
with solid foundation. When all can
find work at any time-putting in ex-
ira hours whenever emergency requires
society will no longer bear the re-
proach of wllful ignorance of the
proper solution of the problem of un-
employment. - Alexander Spencer In
Typographical Journal.