Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-01

Street Railway Co, told the commit
tee 1t would cost his system over $780,
600 in running expenses.
The hearing took place in the hall Of
Representatives, which was allied at
the opening. Senator Butler of Frank
IN presided, and the first bill taken up
was an act for the safeguarding of
employees in factories and mills against
danger from fire. Labor Commissioner
Roscoe G. Eddy appeared to explain
the purposes of the bill, but Hon Scott
wilson of Portland, attorney for the
textile, requested an adjournment of
one week, which was granted.
The bill introduced by Representative
Edgar f. Rounds of Portland relative
| to the hours of labor for motormen
and conductors, nine in IL, so called,
then claimed the committees attention.
For the proponents, Benedict f. Maher
of Augusta and S. J. Kelley of Lewis
ton appeared. Both attorneys con-
Quoted the examination for their side.
Mr.. Maher opened by saying that he
appeared in behalf of the local railroad
men. He said that the people of the
State Were especially interested in this
bill, because it meant much from the
standpoint of public safety; and it
should produce a greater efficiency
from the standpoint of the men. He
said that, under present conditions, the
men are physically unfit to do their
work, because of the long hours re-
CURED. He said that for some wears
they have been trying to get a nine
] hour basis, and that this nine within
! II hours" was the best possible work
/ ing basis they could expect He went
4 into details to some extent as to the
! requirements of the men from an eff
| fciency standpoint There is good feel
| ing between the men and officials of
the roads, he said, but this was a case
where the State should step in and
regulate their hours. 1t isn't fair to the
men, he said, to be required to perform
duty IL hours, and the State shouldn't
tolerate it. He submitted an amend
ment which was as follows:
Nothing herein contained should be
construed in an emergency" That this
was the Massachusetts law boiled
down.
:. j. Kelley of Lewiston, represent
ing zoe members of the Lewiston To-
cal street railway employees, said that
| he didn't consider the bill either radi-
cal or extreme, and that it is both fair
and reasonable to the railroad com
/ panN.
| Mr.. Maher called Edward Z. B. Sinken-
son of Portland, former president of tn.
local union, and Clifton c. Thayer OF
| Portland, also of the union, who are
both members of the legislative commit
tee. Each made a detailed statement 81
the length of time the men are oblige5
to work under the present schedule; and
when questioned by attorneys for the
proponents, admitted that the company
had the right to work them "a hours il
1t wanted to. Members of the committee
asked many questions relative to the act
ual time men are employed and the hard
ships they endure; and Mr. Thaver sug
gested that day spare man and a might
spare man would help out the present
difficulty.
George NJ. Chapman, representing the
Waterville, Fairfield and Oakland cal
men, whom he said did not dare to an.
pear, they having no organization, told
| the substance of what other had told
before. w. r. Brann of Augusta, an op
erative, spoke for the Augusta men, At.
torney Maher asked him if all the EN-.
pioyes OF the L., A. & w. were in favor
OF the Dill, and he said that by pol
taken under the Australian ballot sys-
tenn they were practically unanimous fol-
it.
OTIS NJ Stewart of Lewiston. also an
operative on the L., A & w, read a
schedule of the hours OF labor the men
now Work-from nine hours in 10 to nine
hours and 80 minutes in IL hours. He
admitted. under cross-examnation by
Judge Newall, that employees of this com.
pany are not permitted to work more
than 16 hours.
Isn't it true" asked Judge Newell
that the men are glad to get extra pay
by doing extra work."
The answer was II don't know"
Edgar f. Rounds of Portland, father
of the bill. then appeared in behalf of
the measure and preface3 mis- remarks by
saving he did not appear as repre-
| sentative, but as a citizen of Portland
representing the citizens of Portland
His remarks were brief. but the outlined
the condition of the men working under
the present system and he believed that
| the nine-in-eleven law will be more ben
eticial to them than any law yet enacted,
| The first opponent was Thomas Lee.
representing the Aroostook Valley Rail-
road, with a mileage of four miles, from
Pressure Isle to Sweden. There are II
motormen and conductors on this line,
and they do a larger freight than pas
senger business Their hours are ten
! in-thirteen, for which they receive .
cents an hour. Both conductors and mo-
tormen are opposed to the measure, he
said. and he presented to the committee
a Semonstrance signed by the men. who
said they are satisfied with their present
| wages and hours of labor He wished his
company to be exempted from the bill
George L. Emery of Biddeford, repre-
senting the Biddeford & Saco Railroad,
appeared for the road and for the 70 men
EMPLOYED thereon. He read petition
in which the men urged that the present
hours be continued, and stated that they
were satisfied with their pay and did not
wish to appear in opposition. He asked
that this road be exempted because OF
local conditions.
John A. Morrill, of Auburn appeared for
the Rockland, Thomaston Il Camden