New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-20
Text of Hughes Speech
Attacking AdamSon Lam
Analysis of Measure Riddles Democratic Claims Tha
National Crisis Compelled Legislation
Without Investigation.

Springfield, H., Sept. 49, Following
is the full text Of the address deliv
cred here to-day by Charles Z. Hughe!
in an attack on the Adamson eight
hour law:
The just interests OF labor are the
concern of all. We must have the
sense Of fellow workmanship if we are
20 make progress. | desire TO see safe
conditions Of work. wholesome con.
ditions OF work. adequate opportunities
for education and recreation. reasona-
bic hours of work, fair wages. This
is not to promote efficiency for its
own sake, but to realize our ideals in
betterment Of the conditions OF human
living
The Adamson bill is force bill.
It was legislation without inquiry,
without knowledge The demand by
the administration for such leglsla-
tion as the price OF peace was a
humiiating spectacle. II was not only
serious misuse Of official power, but
deplorable abdication Of moral au-
thority
The excuses presented are futile.
The Adamson bill is not bill provld-
ing for an eight-hour work day. II
does not TX hours a. all. IL regulates
wages. IT, provisions do not require
any employer 20 employ any set OF
men for only eight hours a day Eight
hour day laws are 20 avoid fatigue and
cverstrain BY prohibiting employment
IN excess OF the requirement. There
is nothing Of that sort in this bill.
What II does IS 10 provide b. law
for an increase in wages for certain
men. They may work just as long "a
tefore. They may work ten hours or
more. They are simply 70 get more
paw. Tho act provides that In con-
tracts for labor and service eigh,
hours shall be deemed a days work
and the measure or standard OF a day :
work for the purpose OF reckoning the
compensation for services of all en-
ploycs Of the sort described.
Fixes Rate of Pay.
at s provided that, pending the
report OF the commission to be APP
pointed. and for thirty days there
after. the compensation Of railway en-
ployes subject 10 this act for stand
ard eight-hour workday be not re-
duced below the present standard paid
wage and for all necessary time in
excess OF eight hours such employees
shall be paid al a rate not less than
the pro rata for such standard eight
hour workday.' Then follows the pen
atty for violating any provision Of this
act.
an plain English. the men affected
are not required 20 work fewer hours,
but are 20 have ten hours pay for
eight hours work. and additional pay
for additional hours.
The act applies a wage scale for a
greater number OF hours 20 less
number Of hours, without changing
the actual time OF service.
We have words which may seem 20
mean one thing and, in fact, mean
another. The phrase 'eight-hour day
is apparently used TO tickle the public
ear in order TO establish something
quite different. II II vas proposed TO
fix an eight-hou- workday. why were
not work for longer hours and all
contracts for longer service prohib-
gencies exist?
1T is said for this bill that it will
have a tendency 20 procure an eight
hour day. This is extremely doubtful,
but we are dealing with what the
bill actually enacts. and not with in
conclusive suggestions OF tendencies
toward something else which is not
enacted.
This bill must be judged by what
il provides, not by what II does not
provide II IS nothing more than a
measure 20 tx wages, and a meas
ure 70 fix wages II must be judged
r. As such measure, its passage was
justified. it needs no further excuse
If not. its passage is not 20 be con-
doned by reference 70 another eight
hour vorkday which il does not es'
tablish. Such reference can only be
regarded as a subterfuge.
Society Not Consulted.
I'VE are. therefore. not concerned
with anything that is said OF the judg
ment OF society with respect 20 an
cight-nour workday. There is plainly
no Judgment OF society upon the in
crease Of wages this bill requires.
"If the asserted judgment OF society
inspired il, WHY does the act apply only
70 a limited number Of railroad men
relatively few Why are certain rail
roads less than one hundred miles IN
length excepted Why are electric
street railroads and electric interurban
railroads excepted Is there failure
Of the Judgment OF society upon the
eight-hour dav in these cases? The
obvious fact IS that there was de-
mand for an increase in wages as "a
certain men. and the Administration, In
advance OF investigation, surrendered
70 this demand.
THAT the subject was one requiring
investigation is apparent. The bill It
self comedies this IN its provision for
commission.
III there is anything that demands
careful inquiry 10 Is a proposition al
fecting readjustment either Of rates or
Of expenses Of carriers. The entire
community depends on their efficiency
upon fair action by them and fair ac-
tion toward them.
What is fair and right must be
done. but what is fair and right must
first be ascertained. When railroads
are required to eXpend additional mill
ions this burden must ultimately fall
on the public. II expenses are neCeS-
sarily increased beyond what existing
rates will stand the rates must be IN
creased.
Burden Put on Shippers.
at was proposed in substance By the
Administration that increased rates
should be charged 20 shippers so Tar
as required 70 paw this increase OF
wages Assurance was given thst no
obstacle OF law would be suffered TO
stand in the way Of railroads IN IN
creasing their revenues 20 meet result
ing increased expenses so far as devel-
o,ren, ~ their business and Of their