Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-23


deeds. Why do the members Of the
Commission" hide their names from
tho public? What is it they fear
Why do they want to kill" the wo-
mems and children's 54-hour bill
Men so lacking in heart should not be
SO sensitive as to culver before the
insinuation that they are capable Of
dirty work"
Now that we have the lambs mask
of the political wolf. the band will
adopt other means to carry out its
devil-like purposes.
THE only way you, men Of Maine,
can protect yourselves against the sin
lister influences Of this secret band OF
political porch-climbers is to settle in
your minds once and for all that any
one who opposes the ratification OF
the 54-hour law Is an enemy Of labor
and Of the public in general.
Pamphlets recently put out by the
itching palms Of the bands agents are
filled with bare-faced lies. Farmers
and merchants should ignore the braz-
en- lie that they will suffer II the hours
Of the mill, shop and factory workers
are reduced.
Shorter Hours Bring Higher Pay.
The argument spread broadcast
to bolster up this lie is that reduced
hours will mean reduced pay. The
answer was made more than 80 years
ago by George e. Mcneil of Boston,
the father of the 8-heur law. man
whose name will ever occupy a place
Of honor in Labor's Hall of Fame.
Mr.. McNeill's famous answer is con-
tanned in his immortal rhyme:
Whether you work by the piece
Or work by. the day
Decreasing the hours
Increases the pay"
These words are true for all time.
They are just as true today as they
were 80 years ago, and they will be
just as true 80 years from now.
Experience has demonstrated be-
yond the possibility Of a doubt that
decreased hours mean increased pay.
A reduction Of the hours Of toll bring
other benefits. not only to the toiIer,
but also to the farmer, and to the mer-
chant. The reasons are as plain as A
B c.
"First-By reducing the number OF
working hours, the 54-hour law will
improve the health Of mill, shop and
factory workers.
"Second-Better health will mean
better appetites for the workers and
more food stuffs will be brought by
them from the grocers, butchers and
bakers.
"Third-More foodstuffs bought
from the store-keepers will mean lar
ger markets and better prices for the
farmer, the dairymen and the poultry
dealer.
"Fourth-Fewer working hours will
mean vastly improved social life for
the worker. Shorter hours Of labor
will give the worker greater oppor-
tunities for decorating their homes,
and for buying and wearing better
clothes. This will mean increased
sales for clothiers, furniture dealers
and other merchants.
Appeal Of Future Mothers and Fathers.
Men of Maine" heed the plea Of
your women and children for simple
justice. Remember that the girls
among us will be the mothers and the
boys among us the fathers of the next
generation Of the grand old Pine Tree
manhood and your patriotism, our cry
for consideration will stir you to i'm
mediate action in our behalf.
Consult the official records and
you will find that Maine is the only
state in the northern part Of the coun-
try so cruel as to ask it's women and
children wage-earners to work So
hours a week. Why should We be
deemed less worthy, less deserving of
manly protection. than the women and
children of all our sister states? The
wage-earners are the enemies of the
men who toiled for their daily bread.
Remember this--that our enemies are
your enemies. You will injure your
selves If you neglect us. We are
helpless but you have a mighty weap-
on for all of us in the ballot. Use it
wisely and you will free us all from
bondage.
Remember the workers have made
great progress by rewarding the
friends of labor and Furnishing labor
In discussing the law with your
neighbors, friends, associates and ac-
northumberland you should discuss
it morning, noon and night from now
until election day-do not forget that
your trained lawmakers could find no
flaws in the 54-hour bill when t
reached it's final reading. Therefore,
it stands to reason, no untainted
mind can find any fault in the law
now
I'm answering the arguments Of the
paid agents of the opposition, remem-
Der that the law does away with night
work and overt time for women and
children.
Remember that the law does not
interfere with evening work in the
stores during the Easter and Christ
mas holidays.
Final Words Of Caution.
The enemies Of labor and past
masters of the art of deception, and
they will do their utmost to twist your
Judgment against your own most vital
interests. You must beware of them.
for they know all the INSCRIPTIONS
tricks Of the political trade. From
now until election day they will leave
no stone unturned to make You de-
feat yourself by tricking you into CIV
ing undue Importance TO alleged 'is-