Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-09
ABOUT MAKING LAWS

hBOLISHING all vodka drinking in an
n empire of 150, 900, 900 men and women by
the stroke of one mans pen sounds so dra-
matte and sensational that it suggests a
movie plot rather than real life. But as
all the world knows, It is life, and it illus
trates the high speed efficiency of an autoc-
racy as compared with our laundering young
democracy, where we shall plunge about for
generations to come, through miles of tracts
and cubic gallons of oratory and yards Of
white ribbons" trying to dry up the liquor
business of the United States.
Discussion of our industrial situation is
especially rife this spring, partly, no doubt,
because of hard times, and partly, perhaps
because the sombre shadow of the war has
turned many of to introspection, both
personal and national. The magazines are
devoting a noteworthy amount of space to
articles analyZing the industrial situation
and suggesting remedies or condemning an
excess of effort in this direction 1t is very
significant that a study of all the leading
magazines and weeklies, exclusive of the
all fiction periodicals, shows that the num-
ber which consistently present conservative
and reactionary policies is insignificant, not
more than five in list of so. with per-
haps another five wobbling the fence.
OF course nearly all of them try to give a
time to time from opposite points of view.
But the tone of the majority of magazines
is strongly progressive and in many cases
even radical.
A study of Unemployment Cd by Fred
eric c.. Howe in the Century, is backed up
by descriptions of the way the situation is
met in European countries He draws
especially attractive picture of German
methods.
Labor organizations are volcing a demand
for work rather than for charity. Is it true
that has a right to work, or
right" to public maintenance if work is not
provided? AS long ago as 1884. Bismarck
proclaimed that man has right to work."
which was only another form of expressing
the right to live. He said: yes, acknowl-
edge Internationally the right to work and
will stand up for it as long as am in this
place. The healthy workman desirous of
work is entitled to say to the State, Give me
work."
The labor exchange of Berlin, the largest
in the empire, occupies a handsome four
story building. There public baths in
the basement, medical dispensary where
the men are inspected by physicians detailed
for the purpose Food Is supplied at low
cost, while cobblers and taiors repair the
clothes and the shoes of the waiting work.
men for an insignificant charge. In the main
hall, which accommodates from 1900 to
1900 persons sit at ease, with a
glass OF beer before them, or play at games
of checkers, domnos or cards, The whole
institution suggests workingmans club.
And the surprising thing about the men in
these exchanges is their cleanliness. dignity
and freedom from that haunting fear COM
mon among the workless men upon the
streets of America. Everything possible Is
done to maintain the worker In condition
of efficiency and to protect his self-respect
from impairment.
Many cities supplement these agencies by
providing distress or emergency work during
the winter months or in time OF depression.
Public improvements are projected, streets
are built, etc. OF even greater service are
the laws for social Insurance. through which
the worker is protected from sickness, in
validity, accident and old age. Old age in
surance is also provided. The benefits from
these funds are paid without litigation, They
are looked upon as matter of right rather
than Of charity.
Eight Hours a Day
Efforts to work out satisfactory adjust
ment of our industrial situation have been
described in a series of articles in the Amer
lean Magazine by Ida Tarben on "The
Golden Rule in Business" (2l. This month
she takes up the question OF hours and the
possibility OF standardizing the length OF
the working day;
II has taken years Of observation and ex-
pertinent to establish with anything like
scientific accuracy the baneful effects on the
laborer and his product OF the too long day.
This has been done finally with complete
itSSS nAiiSH SfSiA TAG IpuAlS are recognizing.
An eight-hour day in well-managed shop
yields large q quantity OF work as a 10
hour day and cuts out almost entirely certain
irritattons and Interruptions which have al
ways characterized the longer work period
As for labor It has become an axiom that
shortening the day increases the payn
Many a manufacturer viii tell you that
shortening the day increases the profits Take
the experience Of the granite cutters; their
first cut was from ~ to 10 hours and their
output was not reduced. IN 1880 the 10 hours
was reduced 70 nine ana again the output
was noE reduced. In 1900 the granite cut
tefs sseuesa "A eisht-hour day for the en-