New-York tribune., 1917-12-26
Plans for Six-Hour
Day After the War
English Labor Intends to Ask
for Easier Hours When
Peace Is Gained

Lord Loyerhulme, head OF great
English soap industry, the capital OF
which Is $500, 100000, has very pro-
noLnced views as to the effect OF the
great war on the future position Of the
nations workers, says the Kansas CITY
Star. Lord Leverhulme is himself
model employer, having provided ior
his work people a model town, IN which
they live under delightful social con-
ditions, and having provided also facill-
ties by which they may secure direct
financial interest in the concern IN
which they are wage earners.
"lt may, think, be taken for grant
ed" he says, that when peace IS re-
stored workers will not be willing to
return TO pre-war conditions Of wage
and living. | am convinced they will
never consent TO 90 back to them.
"The war has altered many things;
IL has broGdened our horizon; It has
given us new points of view; il has
clarified our thought; il has introduced
radical changes into our social, indus
trial and commercial systems.
Labor Out of the Depths
"Most of them have for the first time
tasted and enjoyed the sweets of life,
the full fruits Of labor; they have
grown accustomed to higher plane;
It's pleasures and advantages; they will
strive to remain on that level and, II
possible, rise above it, and with this
aspiration I am in full sympathy and
accord. And if, after the war, any
attempt should be made to thrust labor
back into the depths from which it has
ascended it would be, in my opinion,
not only disastrous economic blunder,
but a policy akin to crime against
civilization and humanity.
"The humdrum life led by the vast
majority of the industrial classes Is
little understood by those whose lines
are cast in pleasant places. doubt II
even those who have been withdrawn
from it to face the dangers, excitement
and hardships Of the trench and the
battle line will care TO endure 1t again.
"Thc only way In which this dreary,
mind numbing, soul deadening monot-
ony can be relieved is by the adoption
Of a six-hour working day. While the
mechanical machine would run FOR
twelve hours a day instead OF elght,
tho human machines, If ! may use the
phrase. would consist of two shirts,
each working six hours. ! am great
advocate Of this.
More Efficiency and Less Cost
81 believe-and my belief is based
on practical experience - the human
machine could and would do as much
in six hours as in eight, except IN a
few rare industries where exceptional
conditions prevail, while the extra
hours worked by the mechanical
machine would enable such an in
creased output to be obtained as to
insure the possibility Of the same
wages being paid to the human ma,
chine for six as are at present paid
for eight hours work. For it is obvious
that the mechanical machine, except
for a slightly increased cost of coal
for steam or driving purposes, Will work
for twelve hours at much the same
cost as it now works for eight, and
with but little extra depreciation.
"And the extra hours of leisure could
be devoted to mental or physical de-
velopment, thus fitting the worker for
higher things. This ideal may not be
attainable at once, but it is worth strlv-
ING for"