The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-11-16
EIGHT HOUR LAW
FOR TRAINMEN
Its Passage Another Step To-
ward Industrial JuStICO.
ACT MUCH MISREPRESENTED

Railroad Employees Demanded che
Eight Hour Day From che Railroads,
Not From congress-NNorksrs Made
No Demand Whatever Upon Con-
sress--Loaislation Wise and Humane.
BY Senator ROBERT N. Ia FOL-
LETTE.
The eight hour law for railway train
men just passed by congress has been
much misrepresented. During the
many months Of negotiations between
the trainmen and the railroad man
ayers the railroad companies conduct
ed a tremendous campaign In an effort
to influence public sentiment against
the granting Of an eight hour day to
their men. Their agents worked
through chambers of commerce, manu-
facturers' associations and other or
CARNATIONS Of business men, inducing
them to pass resolutions condemning
the demand of the trainmen. and me-
mOriAlizing congress to enact legisla-
don to empower the interstate COM
merce commission to fix the hours and
wages Of men employed on railroads
engaged In interstate commerce.
The railroad trainman had no such
resources to enable them to carry on
publicity campaign to shape public
opinion in favor Of their own demands.
All this may appear at first glance
to be Of no Importance. But in the
light of what occurred after the strike
order had been issued and what has
happened since congress took the mat
ter into its hands-and acted-its bear
ing upon this controversy will be I'M
derstood by every citizen.
| This "eight hour law" has been call.
ed force bill'' enacted under the de
mands of organized railroad workmen.
This is not true. The railroad en-
ployees demanded the eight hour day
| from the railroads, not from congress.
They made no demand whatever upon
congress. They said II the railroads
did not grant the eight hour day they
would quit work. This was their right
"a right long judicially declared to be
theirs. They set a day to quit work In
case the railroad managers refused
them the eight hour day. Then the
railroads inaugurated a strike against
the public They refused to accept
freight for shipment, especially perish
able goods. In many parts of the
country this meant appalling disaster
to farmers and particularly to fruit
growers. 1t meant great damage to
all business.
The president stepped in and sought
to adjust the trouble and avoid the
disaster about to be thrust upon the
country. He was not successful The
railway managers were particularly OBJ
stinate and refused to cOncede the
principle Of the eight hour day. At
this point the president put the matter
up to congress for Its consideration.
Congress, disinterested, under law
bound to consider only the public good,
was forced to act In the public interest
It was not forced to act because Of
any demands upon congress by the
workingmen or by the railroad man.
ayers, but because the public interest
demanded immediate action.
Congress acted. It passed what is
known as the eight hour day law for
men in the employment Of railroads
In interstate commerce, engaged in
moving trains. Every Wisconsin rep
resentative present voted for the bill,
which became a law and averted the
strike.
believe they did right believe in
the eight hour day. 1t is claimed that
congress acted without due consider
alton" Did it? The question Of the
eight hour day for skilled employees
was not new. Every congressman who
was alive to the issues Of the day must
have been fairly familiar with the ar
guments pro and con on the subject Of
the eight hour day. had given this
matter consideration years ago when
secured the sixteen hour limitation for
railroad employees-the best could
get at that time.
At that time / was met with the
same arguments which are now being
made against the eight hour day. The
railroads and some other large employ.
ers are slow to learn, but abundant ex.
perience has shown that for the trades.
professions and crafts where skin.
courage, caution and close attention to
business are required the eight hour
day is the maximum for efficiency.
Had the railroads accepted this princi-
pie there would have been no trouble.
However. railroads generally yield to
no principle Of progress that is not
forced upon them by legislation.
The dawn OF a better day would
never brighten the path OF workmen
were 1t left to the railroad managers.
The railroad employees have been pa
tient and long suffering. Theirs u Z
hazardous business. Their calling takes
them away from their homes at all
times Of the day and night. in all kinds
OF weather. Their labor is performed
under dangerous conditions. Their
span Of life Is short and full Of grief.
They have seen their brothers IN other
less hazardous callings secure the eight
hour day without a struggle. but they
have been held to a day Of indefinite
hours so long as It did not exceed SIX,
4 teen and IA cases Of unforeseen from