The daily progressive-miner., 1918-06-06

c ing the hours of laho of Federal em. ployes, neither have the employe of the Federal Governi nent objecte d to rendering overtime ervice (withO at ad. ditional compensate m) to the G overn. ment since war was inaugurateti. I'm. mediately subs seque mt to the assage by Congress of the Act creat .ng the Council of National Defense, tb at body laid down rule of action for it's guidance. Among the more Important things dealt with was that of labor. The Council of 5ational Defense de- clared unequivocally that there should be no change in standards of work ing conditions unt il after a thorough investigation had been made and any orange, if deemed necessary, approved by the Council of National Defense. There has been no investigation, neither has the Go uucil of National Defensc approved any change in the present conditions or Federal employ es. As matter of fact, there is no demand for the change of existing law, except upon thtl part of Mr. Bor- land and those who appear to sympa- thize with his views. The entire mat ter can be summed up in sentence.
 The American Fe iteration of Labor as we'll as every right minded citizen, cannot but be convinced that if the House of Representatives by major ity vote insists upon the incorporation of the Borland Amendment in the Legislature Appropriation Bill, with out providing for time and one-half for all hours worked ill excess of eight hours, the concensus of opinion will certainly be that the action is discrim- inatory and unjust
 The Executive Council of the Ameri- can Federation of Labor joins me in the hope that you will aid in defeat ing the Borland Am endment, or, that if retained, the bill i'll be so addition ally amended to prov idle for the basis eight hour day and the payment of time and one-half for all time worked beyond eight hours.
 Very respectfully,
 (Signed) SAMUEL GOMPERS
 President American Federation of Labor.
 Mir Samuel Gompers,
 President American Federation Labor Washington, D. c.
 My dear MT. Gompers:
 Your letter of May 22nd, relative to the Borland amendment in the Legis- lative Appropriation Bill, has been re- ceived I wish to thank you for giv- ing ne your views on this legisla tion, and I wish further to assure you that it will be pleasure for me to do all in my power to so amend the amend ment that all federal employees shall receive time and one-half for all hours worked in excess of eight hours.
 might say to you that l have stud jed with great interests for many years the matter of giving the work man fair day and fair wage. I have noted for years, also the work be- ing done by you, and the organization Of which you are president, for an eight hour day. Many years ago I became convinced that eight hours was a proper standard for days work. And that I was thoroughly convinced is best shown by the fact that as mining operator, on small scale in Southeastern Alaska, I estab- lished an Eight-hour day at my proper ty. I did that almost 15 years ago, and long before the equity of the Eight Hour day was as generally recognized as at the present time.
 I have also realized for a number of years that for all work in excess cf eight hours, the laborer should be paid time and one-half. And, to that end want to work in the interest of the laboring man, whether he be gov ernment employee, intuition worker, miner or cab driver. l care not what the employment may be. It IS the take pleasure in carrying out your wishes, to work to the utmost of my ability in bringing about the adoption of an amendment to the Borland amendment, whereby time and one- half will be paid to all government employees who are called on to labor in excess of eight hours in any day. ! And if bill was before congress to make the same provision for all class es of workers, I would take pleasure 1 in favoring it, too.
 Thanking you kindly for the cour- tesy done me, in giving me your views and assuring you that I shall be very glad to have you cali on me whenever may be of service to you, I am
 Sincerely yours,
 (Signed) CHAS. A. SULUZER,