The Washington times., 1916-02-25
MONDELL NOT READY
FOR FIGHT ON RIDER
Congressman Declares He Has
Not Yet Decided on Argu-
ments Against 8-Hour Plan.

Congressman Mondeil, one OF the two
members Of the Appropriations Com
mittee who voted against the Borland
amendment Yesterday, said today he
had not vet determined what arguments
nc will advance in House debate against
the provision. Mr. Mondell says he VIII
await the arguments OF the proponents
of change.
However, the Wyoming member was
not overly optimistic about the chances
for defeating the Borland amendment.
The almost unanimous vote in the APP
propriations Committee. he said, came
as q COMPLETE surprise to hin: as he
gested that It would be Overwhelmingly
defeated.
"The ayes seemed to have It on the
viva voce vote" said Mr.. Mondell to-
day. 80 asked for a division. 1 was
surprised to see all but two OF us sup
port the unexpected proposal"
Hr. Mondell says he Is at loss to
understand the policy behind the amend
ment.
81 do not know" he said. "whe,her
the amendment means that its sponsors
believe the Government clerks are do
ing too little work. or whether II is a
part of the preparedness campaign ana
the money saved Is to be used for bat
tleships. or what not
NO Detalled Explanation.
"No detailed explanation was given
OF the sudden move to add another
hour to the day of the Government EN-
ployes, and | am at a loss to under
stand whether the move Is based on a
theory of Democratic economy or on the
assumption that Government clerks
have easy Jobs and ought to work
longer.
whether the departments will get more
eihclent work under the elgnt-hour
plan believe the present system to
be all right. and that the clerks work
Sp Work harG sRSrt hiGRqrs 5St they
hour VIII result In more work IN the
aggregate remains to be seen. At apy
rate ! am against the change
inns ssed t6s H6Seer5 ma2S ~ P2Se
ton because he handles the District
appropriation bill. contends there is no
possible argument against the Borland
amssndment. and It is certain, to pass.
interrose an objection to an eight hour
day for Government clerks when most
or MS constituents are working ten TO
twelve hoursY' asked Mr.. Page Most
workers are glad to get an cight-hour
uay' ana IL Is becoming the standard,
SO fail to see how an argument can be
made for seven hours of work in ;be
government departments. do not an
tlclpate that the opposition TO the
strength"
Congressman Farr OF Pennsylvania. n
member of the Committee on Naval
Anairs. recalled that in navy wards and
olher Government establishments. the
GSleIks Saeiiks were entirely content with legis-
MY impression is that an eight hour
1ay Tor the Government employees in
Washington will receive the approval
St the & House he said. Most of US
nave voted for eight-hour bills Mt some
time or the other and It seems to me
that the proposed change Is cntIreiv
fair to the Government and 10 its em-
ployes. Nobody can object TO eight
Is rather short"
Members of the House are apt 20 talxc
the position that the eIght-hour amend
ment should pass because recent labor
centered about an elght-hour law.
Labor ORGANIZATIONS have endcavored,
and have succeeded in several IN
stances. In getting legislation reducing
70 eight hours per day the workman's
labors. These fights have been for re-.
| auctions from longer hours. and the
eight-hour laws have been considered
| as concessions to labor. No ona has
VIII influence the average member TO
support the Borland amendment.
Day Often Approved.
Within a comparatively recent period
Congress has approved of eight-hour
days for employees who may be engaged
on Government contracts, employees in
postofices, and in the postal service,
workmen in the navy yards and ar
senals. and female workers In the Dis
| trict.
In enacting this legislation, members
OF the House say today, the Congress
reduced rather than Increased the hours
| OF labor.
I'm other words" said a member to-
day, employees who have been work.
: ing for longer hours regarded an eight
nour day as liberal and satisfactory
| concession. No one has kicked against
eight hours of work; 1t Is becoming
standard. Therefore. an emp!oye who
hours work hasn't much of case In
court when no objects to an eight
hour day"
Congressman Borlnnd believes the
House will support by a big majority
his amendment, because, he says, there
Is no tenable position that can be taken
| against such legislation.
1t Will appeal to legislators, he AYERS,
| because II represents a saving to tho
| Government of about n, 100000 annually
| and because, In addition, II REQUIRES
| Government employees to work but one
third OF the twerfy-four hours making
up day and night.
| THE existing seVen-hour day." Mr.
Borland says, represents favoritism
toward those clerks so fortunate as
to he employed here. Government
clerks throughout the country are
happy with AN eight-hour day"