The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-03-15


The most splendid victory labor
has ever won in the Northwest is
the securing of the eight-hour day
in the great basic industry of lum-
bering.
1t was won because labor, and
those who helped labor in this great
achievement, believed that the eight
hour day would not only bring in
dustrial peace in this industry but
that under the shorter work day
production would be stimulated and
increased through the conservation
of the strength and the energy of
the men who are engaged in logging
and numbering.
Labor Must Make Good
1t is now up to labor to make
good all these claims; not only that
by making good in this respect, it
may prove itself entitled to future
industrial advancements, but that it
may prove itself worthy of the con-
fidence of the men and influences
that gave it support in this memoir
able contest for the shorter work
day.
Governor Lister Aids Labor
There are three men in this state
to whom labor owes a debt of graf
itude for assistance in this splendid
achievement speak of those out
side the ranks of organized labor
who were factors in bringing about
the eight-hour day. Foremost of
Lister who early last summer took
an uncompromising stand for the
establishment of the eight-hour day
in the numbering industry. Governor
Lister knows well the conditions un-
der which the woodsman and the saw
mill worker labor in this rough
work which taxes the strength and
endurance of our sturdiest manhood,
to say nothing of its hazard to life
and limb. He belived that improved
sanitary conditions in the camps in
which these men live, and the con-
servation of strength that would
come with the shorter work-day,
would on the whole result in in
creased production-an that finally
the settlement of the question would
bring about peace in this industry
at least during the period of the
war. And the Governor was anxious
that the lumber industry of this
state be placed upon the very high
est plane of efficiency and produc-
tion in this hour of the nations
great need, for he has just pride
in seeing the state of Washington
carry her full share of the burden
of these troublesome times. The
state has full reason to be proud of
her sons who have gone into the
front line of the eountry's defensees;
our Governor wants the industry of
the state likewise to be no Stacker.
He, therefore, early in the strike
Of last June, urged the employers
to grant the eight-hour day, and
went so far as to issue a proclama-
tion in August asking in the name
of the state that this be done. Since
that time he has used his influence
constantly by tongue and pen, and
in personal conference with these
employers, to bring about industrial
peace through the granting of the
shorter work-day.
MIR. Reed and DR.. SuzzallO
Governor Lister has been ably as
sisted in his efforts to bring about
peace in the lumber woods by Hon.
Mark E. Reed, speaker of the last
house of representatives of the state
legislature, who is also one of the
largest employers of labor in the
logging industry of the state; and
by DR.. Henry Suzzallo, president of
the University of Washington, and
chairman of the State Council of
Defense. To this end Mr.. Reed has
used his influence constantly with
in the organization of the employ
ing lumbermen, and from the reports
that have OCCASIONALLY reached the
outside, he has been the center of
some mighty stormy scenes, that
only a strong character was capable
Of weathering. DR.. Suzzallo came
in for veritable TRADE of abuse
and threats, but he, too, like the
Governor and Mr. Reed, stood un-
flinchingly behind his guns until
the storm had cleared away and the
right had triumphed.
Finally Success Comes
Following the lead taken by these
three men last summer, came Sec
retary of War, Newton d. Baker
with request for the eight-houl
day in lumber production; the Presi
dents mediation commission, headed