The Washington times., 1916-03-06
SAYS DORLAND IS.
FRIEND Of CLERKS.
Created Psychological Moment
for Organization Of Union,
Asserts Its Head.

Declaring that Congressman Borland
In the clerks best friend because he Gre
ated the psychological moment for the
organisation OF the Office Workers
Union, President II. NJ. McLarin. OF
that organization, issued a statement to-
day saying the organization would use
every means at It's command to defeat
the Boriand rider.
The union has sent letters OF protest
to Congressman Borland against con-
tinued insistence on the rider. ana set
ting forth the position of the union on
the increase in hours proposed.
Mr.. McLartn's statement says:
1T has been repeatedly stated that
the Government employees should be re-
duired to work eight hours per day be-
cause eight hours is the standard work.
day for labor. The employees to whom
the eight-hour day is the standard are
those who have. only through organiza-
ton and lighting. secured the reduction
from the nine, ten. and twelve hour day.
Their work In moro or less physical,
and affords an opportunity for exercise
ana movement. while the work of a
clerk is of such a nature that he Ia con-
fined TO one desk. one position, one duty.
one task all day long day after day.
thAtE lnNtINbt MHdltNCT III ttlt
things he In doing, ao he never sees or
knows anything but the paper record
with which he works. There Is nothing
material to focus the interest and pro-
yoke the enthusiasm OF the mind and
spirit.
Like Water Cure.
1T II somewhat like the water cure
and were II not for the relaxatlons and
periods OF rest doubtless would have
teh same effect as the water cure. In.
stances can be cited where employees
have absolutely broken down in mind
and nerves because of this class OF
work. To keep II up another hour each
day would greatly increase the number
OF such cases.
Investigation shows that the usual
workday for office employees varies
greatly with the character of their EN-.
ployment. The office hours enforced
by commercial concerns must 1T the
needs of each case and class OF con.
Germ. In many banks and brokerage
houses. the workday In very short
while In others It is longer.
The tendency, however. In all large
centers of industry and employment
is to shorten the hours of labor. II Il
found that just as much can be accom-
plished In a short time by real applica
hior as can be accomplished in
tion. and management.
so. why not secure the doing OF tn,
work in the short, satisfactory way, an,
allow both employer and employe tn,
rest and leisure necessary for renewa
| OF activities next day? In n great man,
| cases II is very true that the offices o
| commercial concerns open earlier an
close later than the Government offices
but In the great majority OF such case
| u Will be found that the employees ar
| allowed n sufficient time NJ the moo,
| hour to secure n meal and n bit o
| rest.
Important Period.
This noon hour period II very i'm
portant in fixing the time OF opening
and closing offices. Unusually pro
gressive concerns now open thei
OFFICES at 3 O'Clock and close at 2. wit
no period for lunch or rest. They An
this a very satisfactory method.
Large commercial offices provid
rest rooms and rest periods for thei
employees and allow them time TO us
same. Such a practice IL understoo
Government Printing Onti"n md tn
Bureau Of FnRraving and PRINTING IN
| two institutions In washinRton whic
have real ORGANIZATIONS OF employe
| here.
The Government should offer som
| advantages over the commercial worl
for its employees. else how will Il Hs
| Thorn? Surely not BY nisinadInE ther
| as to the conditions here to get theI
nnd then keeping them because the
aro unable to leave. as has bee
charged. Information has been receive
day for Uncle sam TO get CAPABLE en-
| Moves Mt the aalar1eg he Offers