The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-01-27
EIGHT HOUR LAW
FOR TRA|NMEN
Its Passage Another Step To-
ward Industrial Justice.
ACT MUCH MISREpRESENTED

Railroad Employees Demanded the
Eight Hour Day From the Railroads,
Not From Coneress-Workers Made
No Demand Whatever Upon Con-
srsss--Legislation Wise and Humane.
BY Senator ROBERT M. LA FOL-
LETTE.
The eight hour law for railway train
men just passed by congress has been
much misrepresented. During the
many months of negotiations between
the trainmen and the railroad man
ayers the railroad companies conduct
ed tremendous campaign In an effort
to influence public sentiment against
the granting of an eight hour day to
their men. Their agents worked
through chambers Of commerce, manu-
facturers' associations and other or
CARNATIONS of business men, inducing
them to pass resolutions condemning
the demand Of the trainmen, and me-
morializing congress to enact legisla-
ton to empower the interstate COM
merce commission to fix the hours and
wages Of men employed on railroads
engaged in interstate commerce.
The railroad trainman had no such
resources to enable them to carry on a
publicity campaign to shape public
opinion in favor Of their own demands.
All this may appear at first glance
TO be of no Importance. But In the
light Of what occurred after the strike
order had been issued and what has
happened since congress took the mat
ter into its hands-and acted-its bear
ing upon this controversy will be I'M
derstood by every citizen.
This eight hour law" has been call
ed force bill' enacted under the de-
mands of organized railroad workmen.
This is not true. The railroad en-
ployees demanded the eight hour day
from the railroads, not from congress.
They made no demand whatever upon
congress. They said if the railroads
did not grant the eight hour day they
would quit work. This was their right
"a right long 1udicially declared to be
theirs. They set day to quit work In
case the railroad managers refused
them the eight hour day. Then the
railroads inaugurated a strike against
the public. They refused to accept
freight for shipment, especially perish
able goods. In many parts of the
country this meant appalling disaster
to farmers and particularly to fruit
growers. 1t meant great damage to
all business.
The president stepped in and sought
to adjust the trouble and avoid the
disaster about to be thrust upon the
country. He was not successful. The
railway managers were particularly OBJ
stinate and refused to concede the
principle Of the eight hour day. AT
this point the president put the matter
up to congress for It's consideration.
Congress, disinterested, under law
bound to consider only the public good,
was forced to act In the public interest.
1t was not forced to act because Of
any demands upon congress by the
workingmen or by the railroad man
ayers, but because the public interest
demanded immediate action.
Congress acted. 1t passed what is
known as the eight hour day law for
men in the employment Of railroads
in interstate commerce, engaged in
moving trains. Every Wisconsin rep
resentatIve present voted for the bill,
which became a law and averted the
strike.
1 believe they did right. believe in
the eight hour day. 1t is claimed that
congress acted without due consider
alton. Did it? The question of the
eight hour day for skilled employees
was not new. Every congressman who
was alive to the issues of the day must
have been fairly familiar with the ar.
guments pro and con on the subject OF
the eight hour day. l had given this
matter consideration years ago when
secured the sixteen hour limitation fol
railroad employees-the best | could
get at that time.
At that time / was met with the
same arguments which are now being
made against the eight hour day. The
railroads and some other large employ.
ers are slow to learn, but abundant eX
perlence has shown that for the trades
professions and crafts where skill
courage, caution and close attention t.
business are required the eight houl
day is the maximum for efficiency
Had the railroads accepted this prlnci
pie there would have been no trouble.
However, railroads generally yield t.
no principle of progress that is no
forced upon them by legislation.
The dawn Of better day woul(
never brighten the path of workmel
we're it left to the railroad managers
The railroad employees have been pa
tent and long suffering. Theirs Is
hazardous business Their calling take
them away from their homes at al
times of the day and night, in all kind
of weather. Their labor is performe
under dangerous conditions. Thei
span Of life Is short and full Of grief
They have seen their brothers In othe
Jess hazardous callings secure the eigh
hour day without a struggle, but the
have been held to day Of indefinit
hours so long as it did not exceed sil