Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-06
labor ELEMENT
TOCONT|NUE FIGHT
FOR 8-HOUR DAY
Believe With Help of Holland
and Italy Compromise
Can Be Forced.

Certain labor elements in the in.
ternational labor conference made
ready to continue their fight for adop.
ton of the principle of the eight-houl
work day when the body resumed it,
deliberations this afternoon. They
declared that with the support of the
employer delegates of Holland and
Italy, and of several Of the govern
ment delegates. they can force some
sort of q compromise from the en-
rloyer and government delegates who
are holding out for the principle OF
the fortyt-eight- week.
1t is realized that the labor annex
to the peace treaty convention pro-
vides only for consideration of the
-eight-hour week principle. But
the labor men believe they can legally
amend the convention to include the
eight-hour day II they can muster the
strength in the conference to do So
There have been several attempts to
shunt the eight-hour day VS.. forty
eight-hour week controversy into a
committee. in order to dodge a crisis
on the floor of the assembly. but. so
far. a majority of the delegates prefer
to keep the subject before the con-
ference until clear decision is
reached.
Matters concerning the credentials
Of certain delegates and the admit
tance to the conference of repre-
eentatives of nations not yet included
in the round table. occupied the at
tention OF committees this morning.
Labor Men Lose in Test Vote.
In the first test of strength between
labor delegates, who are working for
the straight eight-hour day with Sat
urday half holiday. and government
.A Al
the principle Of the forty eight-hour
week. the labor men lost II to go
when a vote was taken by the inter-
national labor conference yesterday
afternoon.
This vote was taken on the motion
ohicial delegate to the conference. to
commit all proposals covering the
subject Of standard work-time Pc
RODS to q special committee for fur
Their consideration. The action does
not preclude discussion of the eight
hour day again on the floor. but 1T
does indicate clearly an uncomproe
missing attitude on the part of en-
ployer and government delegates, who
have a safe ma jority in the assembly.
Address by Mr.. Gompers.
Making his FIRST address before the
conference, Mr.. Gompers served no.
ticc tnat IN the CnlteQ states even
the eight-hour day would be short
sned IL labor could accomplish its
purpose. He stoutly denied that the
output could be increased over a con-
siderable period Of time by lengthen-
ing hours. characterized the Ameri-
can workman the most productive
worker in the world. and declared in
dustrtal history proves the eight
hour day to be more productive in
the long run than ten-hour or
twelve-hour Day.
Mr.. Gompers spoke in reply to a
majority report on the part Of en-
ployer delegates favoring the princi-
PIE OF reducing hours, but stating
that It could not be put IN force gem
orally at this time owing to the need
for increased production as result
OF the war.
Briton Presents Report.
The report. submitted by D. s. Majori-
banks of Great Britain. pointed out the
need for special effort TO make good
the shortage OF food supplies, the re-
construction Of devastated areas and the
replacement Of machinery and de-
chred that the progressive increase In
the cost Of living would lead to disas-
ter unless the needs Of the present sit
uation were considered in conjunction
with the aims of the labor representa-
tiyes.''
J. A. z. verkade of Holland and E.