The Washington times., 1916-02-29
Borland, on Defensive,
Says He Is Threatened
Declares He Is Held Up to Scorn as Enemy of Labor
Because of Eight-Hour Rider-CaIls Whole
Agitation "Temp est In Teapot"

Congressman william p. Borland
prints In the Congressional Record to-
day an extended defense Of his amend.
ment proposing an eight-hour day for
Government employees In Washington.
The Missouri Democrat obtained the
consent OF tho House yesterday after
noon 20 extend remarks In the Record"
and these remarks today begin with this
statement:
"Mr. Speaker, a member OF Congress
IL foolhardy who ventures 10 attack any
OF the hoary-headed abuses OF the Gov
ernment service In Washington"
Mr.. Borland then proceeds TO tell the
story OF his eight-hour rider, its almost
unanimous report by the Appropriations
Committee and the "stofm OF protest
that broke out on the part OF the mer-
chants and the press Of Warrington"
Says He Was Threatened.
The Missourian says he was carica-
defeat for reelection. s 49,
"T was held up to scorn a. an enemy
Of labor and AZ an ignorant demagogue."
says Mr.. Borland. 'It was even pointed
out that had been Instrumental la
- ~
washington: that was the author Of a
law requiring property owners In Wash
ington TO pay part Of the cost OF street
improvements In front OF their own
property and relieve Uncle Sam Of that
expense--therefore / was dangerous
This whole agitation about the eight.
hour day for Government clerks. &C.
cording TO Mr.. Borlsnd. "is q tempest
in teapot" 4... VS. -a.a.-
"Is there anything inhnman or op-
pressive In recurring Government clerks
TO work q standard day Of eight
congressman Borland devotes much
q his printed spesch to q ..S, Criticism ,,sd 2,
like to have the shoppinR districts
crowded with Government employes IN
the early afternoons" is one thrust
from Mr.. Dorland. who adds: r.t
more people and a short work day
means more trade. more amusements.
moro house rent. and the merohants
and landlords get substantially all or
the clerks salary. II 10 easy TO un-
derstAnd their position In opposing re-
, form II Is simple and candid, Their
fixed idea n that the Federal Govern
ment exists for their benefit. and not
for the people who maintain 1t"
Merchants and Realty Men Assailed.
Congressman Borland also takes q
shot at the Retail Merchants Associa-
tlon and real estate operators In Wash-
inRton. He says -
I'm the very set of resolutions passed
by the Retail Merchants Association Of
washington condemning the Borland
amendment as inhuman and oppressive.
they also condemn the eight-hour law
for women passed by ConRress. which
prevents them working their shopgirls
ten and twelve hours a day! Gould
A...N A19
Another powerful class who are very
bitter against the amendment are the
real estate specuiators Of Washington.
Building houses and. selling them on
the installnent plan to Governmsnt
clerk 10 a good risk. His pay and po-
sition Is sure. He works for an eai-
ployer who never misses nav roti:
who never goes out Of businessi who
never has q strike. lockout. or boycott;
and who sees that his employees pay
their debts. On with the dance!' Aere
clerks, more houses. Let the taxpayer
of the nation bear the buSden."
Relic of "Dim Past"
Other arguments advanced by Mr..
Boriand IN behalf Of his amendment In
clude: ~
"I am q believer in the eight-hour
law, and after q spirited hght we se-
cured an eisht-hour day for postal en-
ployes throughout the Union. This was
considered a notable victory. Since
then Congress has passed laws givine
an eight-hour day to employee on Gov
ernment work, to employees on public
work In the District of Columbia, and
to women wageworkers In private en-
ploy In the District OF Columbia.
During all OF this time clerks In GER
tam Of the executive offices in Wash
ington were working only seven hours
the Old political system before civil
service came into existence. when
clerks were appointed by political In
fiuence and governed by fAvoritism.
"At one Tina In the dim mast clerka