Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-19
SAFEGUARDS OF LABOR
SHOULD Be PRESERVED
Army General Orders Say Fair Wages
and Reasonable Hours Should
Obtain in NIunition Work.
STOP UNNECESSARY OVERTIME
Manufacturers Urged to See That
Workers Have Rest Day Once q
Week - Women Should Receive
Same Rate of Pay as Men.
HEY Aysociatnd prns. l

-A'oii lHN loir, November lS.-Eair
wage scales. reasonable hours and good
working conditions arc suggested 10
arsenal commands and manufacturers
executing orders for the Bureau
OF Ordnance and Quartermaster's De-
partment OF the army in general orders
made public Tonight by those den,rt
mants. Attention is called to the fact
that in the haste 10 deliver needed w,r
materials care must be exercised lest
The safeguards with which the pcoplc
Of this country have sought to protect
labor should be unwiscly and unncces-
sarily broken down"
Industrial history proves that rea-
sonabic hours. fair working condi-
TONS and proper wage scale are es-
scntial TO high production" said the
statement During the war every at
tempt should be made TO conserve in
every way possible our achievements
for social bcttermcnt.
The department wishes 10 be as
Surcd that schedules of hours will not
be excessive nor wage scales distinctly
unfair. or working conditions such Az
should not be tolerated will certainly
be brought to its attention"
The statement says circumstances are
not such as to render appropriate the
ISSUANCE of definite orders on this sub
jcct at this time, and that mo effort
is made to establish or even to sus-
Sest definite rules Of conduct"
1t is recommended that stando rds OF
wages already established in the in
dustry and the locality should not he
lowered and that the minimum wage
rates should be made in proper relation
10 the cost OF living.
NORMAL WORKING DAY
SHOULD OBTAIN INHfISTISY
The length OF the days work. it is
pointed out. should not exceed tho GUS
tomary hours in the particular cstab-
l!shmcnt or the standard already at
tanned in the industry and in the com
nunity. Ten hours is suggested as tac
ma Ximum for an adult workman and
eight hours per shift in continuous
twen:y-four hours work.
Manufacturers arc asked to guard
against unnecessary overtime, 10 give
half-holidays on Saturday; to allow all
employees at least one day Of rest In
every seven, and TO give them all ma
tional holidays.
AS to controversies between employer
and employees. tie department; suS-
Gests that existing channels should be
preserved and new ones opened II re-
CURED, as Their need is especially
great "in the light of critical points
of controversy which may arise In
| time like the present"
Efforts should be made to restrict
| the work of women to eight hours, tho
statement continues. and the employ
mcnt of women on night work should
be prohibited as necessary protec-
| tian--morally and physically.
Where women are employed TO do the
/ work heretofore performed by men. It
I is suggested that the standard or
wages be not lowered and that the
hours he no longer than were those or
tho men replaced
In case of children. the order says.
! the child labor law must be strictly OBJ
served and that both boys and girls
under eighteen years OF age should
/ have the same restrictions on their
hours Us outlined for women employees
Existing legal standards to prevent
/ danger from fire, accident or other
! hazards. and to provide good light
ventilation. sufficient heat and proper
! sanitation. the statement continues.
! should be observed as minimum re-
/ auirements