The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-01-03
HEALTH INSURANCE
LAWS TO PROTECT
WORKERS URGED

The following communication has
been received by editors Of labor
papers throughout North America:
Dear Sir and Brother:
At the convention of the United
Textile Workers of America held in
New York City during the week be-
ginning November IS, 1918, reso-
luton was unanimously adopted to
make a demand on all employers for
an eight hour day for textile work
ers to go into effect February 3rd,
1919.
We realize that if we depend upon
legislation to secure a shorter work
/ day for the hundreds of thousands
of women and children employed in
the textile industry, the eight hour
day will never come. Even if such
law were secured by Federal Leg
islation, it would undoubtedly meet
the same fate as the National Child
Labor Law which was recently de-
clared unconstitutional by the Su-
preme Court of the United States.
The United Textile Workers of
| America are therefore determined to
depend upon their economic efforts,
backed up by the cooperation of the
Trade Union Movement of the coun-
try, and its friends, to bring about
this humane and ideal work day
for all those employed in the tex
tile mills in the country.
Working behind walls where in
many places the sunshine never pen
etrates, and where fresh air is shut
out by closed windows, under by
genie conditions that are not always
conducive to health, no one, unless
governed by sordid and selfish mo-
tives would attempt to deny that if
any class of workers are entitled to
the eight hour day, surely, it is
the textile workers.
We therefore earnestly request
that organized labor give this eight
hour campaign its hearty endorse
ment and support, and we further
request that you appoint a special
committee to render all possible as
sistance in this campaign for the
eight-hour day for all textile work
ers on February 3rd, 1919
Fraternally yours,
JOHN GOLDEN,
International President.
SARA A. CONBOY.
International Secretary Treasurer
The convention adopted the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Whereas, The United Textile
Workers of America have for years
past in their respective conventions
gone on record in favor of the eight
hour day for textile workers; and
Whereas, We believe that if there
are any workers entitled to the
eight-hour day it is those employed
in textile mills, hundreds of thou
sands of whom are women and girls:
and
Whereas, The principle of a max
imum work day Of eight-hours has
been endorsed by the President of
the United States and officially by
the United States Government as a
standard of productivity, of living
and of conservation, protecting the
workers against over fatigue, and
enabling them to make their most
effective contribution to production
and be more useful and honorable
MEMBERS of society; therefore, be it
Resolved. That this convention go
on record in favor of the eight-hour
day for all the textile workers of
he country, same to go into effect
on February 3rd, 1919; and be it
further
Resolved, That we. the representa-
tives Of the United Textile Work |
ers of America, do hereby pledge |
ourselves to use all legitimate means
within our power to secure the eight |
Tour day on February 3rd, 1919, for |
al textile workers and call upon |
Organized Labor and its friends and |
all those who favor this humane.
progressive and justifiabe effort
Of the United Textile Workers of
America to cooperate to the fullest
extent that success may crown our
efforts to bring a shorter work day
to the hundreds of thousands of