The Washington herald., 1918-02-16
HAMILTON IN
WARM DEBATE
WITH BORLAND
Federal Employees Hear
Father of Extra Hour De-
fend His Offspring.

A thnee-minute salvo Of applause
greeted the slogan: I'VE shall beat
the Borland amendment in the SEN
ate" created by Grant Hamilton. A.
F. of L. organizer. in. concluding his
spirited answer to Representative
Borland's speech in defense OF his
eight-hour day amendment, before a
meeting Of the Federal Employees
Union at the Arcade last night.
Representative Borland appeared as
the guest OF the union. He was
treated with such consideration and
attention that he especially thanked
the audience for the ''extreme cour-
tesy' paid him during the speech
in which he laid down his tenets on
the eight-hour day. After his speech
Grant Hamilton took the floor with
an answer. At its conclusion he said
It want you 10 carry home this
Thought with you: We shall beat
the Borland amendment in the SEN
ate An individual roll call will be
requested and in face of such a meas
ure, 1 think that the legislation will
! perish"
Four hundred persons keyed up to
high pitch of enthusiasm by his pre-
ceding words, burst into loud ap-
, plause. The stamping of feet drowned
the crash of music in the dancing
auditorium below. Applause lasted ap-
| proximately three minutes.
Hamilton Cheered.
Mr.. Hamilton told the audience that
mot a single department head has
recommended an increase in hours of
I labor. The Council of Defense has
not suggested it. Yet it seems that
| just one Congressman finds that these
department heads don't know what
they want. and undertakes to provide
what they need" NJ. Borland smiled
IF Mr.. Borland is consistent in his
stand" declared Mr.. Hamilton. when
he said. II want an eight hour day
when the committe was considering
the agriculture bill, why didn't he in
clude a provision saying: All con-
tracts given by the United States shall
be executed by basic eight hour day
| labor, but with not less than price and
| a half for over ume.'?'
Il have not yet heard any mention
from Congress. supposedly anxious to
save money by increasing the work
day of government clerks, of the mil
! lions of dollars spent buying land at
1 Hog Island by the gallon"
During the speech of Representa-
tive Borland. laughter several times
interrupted the speaker. When the
crowd laughed in general the speaker
| laughed.
BorIand Cheerful
When Mr.. Borland was touching on
the irritation aroused by the amend
ment presented by him. he said.
There are always present in Wash
ington, unfortunately. those who de-
sire to stir up discomfort among gov
eminent employees"
Mr.. Borland made an emphatic pause
at the end of this remark to let the
full import sink into the audience. As
it sank in, a few filters rippled UP,
then a little wavelet of giggles, fol-
lowed by a hearty outburst of laugh
| ter
But 1 did not mean it in that way
said Mr.. Borland. 81 am an officer OF
the government speak OF those out
side the government trying to stir up
discomfort"
He pointed out that the eight-hour-
| day legislation would not work hard
] ship on employees and would standard
ize the day. He said that legislation
was a public matter and should be
tested solely by its affect upon the
public at large.
II believe that there is such a thing
as an honest days work." said Mr..
Borland, land 1 have fought for the
eight-hour day for postal employees
for years. II labor takes the position
that II will get as much as possible
and give in return as little as pos
sible, IT is surrendering the very prin-
ciple upon which Il has fought all its
CONTINUED on PAGE SEVEN.