The Alaska daily empire., 1918-06-08

which deals either directly or re- motely with the interests of the wage earners of our country.
 Despite the manifest wisdom of promoting those things which will further the spirit of cooperation, the House of Representatives again in sisted upon the retention of the Bor- land Amendment in the Legislative Appropriation Bill on May 13, 1918 That amendment cannot be regarded IS considerate or just to the em- )loyes with which the Borland amend nent deals.
 "The American Federation of La DOT nor the Federal employees in. volved in this question have at any ime objected to the establishment )y Congress of a basis eighthour day with the proviso for price and one half for all time worked in excess If eight hours. The Federal em- 1loyes have right and are justified n assuming this position, for the reason that in the Naval Appropria- ion Law, approved March 5, 1917, t was expressly stipulated by the Congress that price and one-half shall be paid for all time worked in excess of eight hours for all persons engaged upon work covered by con racts with the United States.
 "The House of Representatives dur ng the 64th Congress passed this provision without any objections. If t is fair and just to provide an ,ighthour workday with time and ,ne-haf for overtime for one class of Government workers and none dis 1ute it, surely there Is no justifica- ion in refusing to grand the same conditions to all other classes of Government employees.
 "In addition to what has been 'tated, it is called to your attention hat no Government Department has 'equested a change in the present aw regulating the hours of labor f Federeal employees, neither have he employees of the Federal Gov ,rnment objected to rendering over ime service (without additional com ,ensation) to the Government since var was inaugurated. Immediately subsequent to the passage by Con ,ress of this Act creating the Coun il of National Defense, that body aid down rule of action for it's uidance Among the more import mt things dealt with was that of la ,or The Council of National De 'ense declared unequivocally that here should be no change in stand lrds of working conditions until after thorough investigation had been ,ade and any change, if deemed necessary, approved by the Council If National Defense There has )een no investigation, neither has he Council of National Defense ap ,roved any change in the present con litions of Federal employees. As natter of fact, there is no demand or the change of existing laws, ex. 'ept upon the part of MT Borland md those who appear to sympathize with his views. The entire matter ,an be summed up in sentence:
 'The American Federation of La DOT. as well as every right-minded itizen. cannot but be convinced hat if the House of Representatives " majority vote insists upon the incorporation of the Borland amend. nent in the Legislature Appropria ion Bill. without providing for time md one-half for all hours worked in ,xcess of eight hours. the concensus ,f opinion will certainly be tha the ,ction is discriminatory and unjust.
 'The Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor joins ne in the hope that you will aid in defeating the Borland amendment, or. hat if retained. the bill will be so additionally amended to provide for he basis eight-hour day and the pay nent of time and one-half for all ime worked beyond eight hours.
 Very respectfully.
 '(Signed) SAMUEL GOMPERS
 President American Federation