Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-17

The Adamson law has developed IN
to one of the big issues OF the presi'
Dental campaign.
President Wilson contends that 1t Is
an emergency measure designed 70
meet a situation which he says must
never be allowed to arise again he
justifies the law on the ground that the
verdict of society has been rendered
in favor of an eight hour work day
Judge Hughes. republican candloate
for the presidency, contends tnat the
Adamson bill is not an eight nour Jaw,
because 1t does not limit the WORKING
hours at all. He contends that ne ahn
the republican party stand for the pest
interests of labor and that these inter
ests are not served by such campa!sH
az eliminated in the passage OF Tue
Adamson bill. ~, a,,
In a speech delivered early this week
at Nawark. N. j. the republican canal-
date made clear his position on the
Adamson bill and likewise outlined ms
own views of the problems that con.
front labor. His analysis OF the D,i
and an exact copy of the Adamson OIL
are herewith reproduced:
huahes' Speech.
81 am not opposed to the pr1nciple
of an eight hour work day. on tnT
contrary, favor it. The general pin pm
ciple of the eight hour workday Is tna.
limiting labor to eight hours promotes
health, happiness and ehiclency. II no.
only frees from excessive strain ou.
gives opportunity for education. 1or en-.
ioyment. for the pleasant ana pLon.
able resources of leisure. me Wnois
point il the limitation OF hours any
labor. that a man shall work eisnt
hours and no longer. ,;ao
"The Adamson bill does not provius
that. 1t is mere pretense to say ina.
Il does. It does not limit hours; II
simply regulates pay. 1t Is wage
bill.
AnaIyzes Adamson Law.
az ct us look at the text OF the ACT.
II proyjdes that eight hours SNAIL IA
contracts for labor and service, De
deemed days work and the measure
or standard of a days work for the
nurpose of reckoning the compensa-
tion for services OF the employees men,
toned. That is the only purpose-tns
purpose of reckoning compensation.
There Is no limit to hours OF Work.
"Then. again. it is provided that
nending the report Of the commission
and for thirty jays thereafter the com.
pensation of railway employees suoJect
to this act for standard eight hour
work day shall not be reduced below
the present standard days wage, ana
for all necessary time In excess OF
eight hours such employees shall De
Maid at a rate not less than pro rata
rite for such standard eight hour work
day. There is no fixing OF hours OF
work: there is no prohibition OF work
ing more than eight hours.
Quotes Democratic Senator.
"The reference to eight hours Is sole
" tn AK the wage scale AS Senator
underwood said in the course OF the
debate in the senate. replying to an
other senator: :.
..H the senator would so and consult
with any OF the gentlemen who repre-
sent the employees and who have been
contending here in this matter. tney
would tell him candidly, as they told
me, that the question is question OF
wage: that they are not contending 1or
an eight hour day. that man snail
work only eight hours; they do not
want that !,
PLAINLY, Whether tnere snouiu We
at this time an eight hour work day in
particular employment depends on
the conditions Of that employment.
Some employments are readily adjust
ed to it and others are not.
Weakness Of the Law.
Railroads are not like ordinary in
dustries. It was not suggested that IL
was practicable to put in true eight
hour day on railroads. Indeed, the