Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1919-09-12
LABOR LOOKING
TO The FUTURE
Two Definite Purposes in the
Movement for Lessening
Hours of Work.
MORE VOICE IN INDUSTRY
JhO Time In Which to Acquire Tech.
nIeal Ability 10 One Alm-To Make
Work Available fer All Available
Workers 10 the Other.

Workingmen are asking for shorter
hours with two definite purposes in
view, according to Edward T. Nc
Grady, one Of the founders Of the Bos-
ton Labor College, and former presi-
dent OF the Boston Central Labor
union; first, to equip themselves for q
larger share in the control Of indus
try; second, to make possible the en-
plOyment Of the entire wage-earning
element Of the population. AS an ul-
innate result Of this material improve
ment 1t Is labor's hope to make posi-
BILE Q corresponding intellectual and
moral betterment q
"The view Of the union man has
changed greatly in recent years." says
MIR. McGrady, in an interview with
Christian Science Monitor representa-
tive. mot long ago his Job meant to
him only job and living wage. Now
1t means q great deal more than that.
It means an opportunity to exercise
democratic control Of industry; and
that will mean greater self-respect,
greater service to the community and
Self-imprOvement.
"A great many persons wonder how
union men are going to use the addi-
ttonal time they gain when their hours
are cut, for example, from 48 to A
weekly. The answer has appeared in
our Labor College, conducted in this
city, The union man Of today, par
Efoa1I Io rIu Tho uonu0 0nv uufoD roou ic M
ing to spend those four additional
hours week In preparing himself for
the control Of the industry in which
he 10 engaged.
"We know, now, that we are not
equipped to take over the nations In
dustries. We have not the training
or technical ability, because we have
never had the time and opportunity
to obtain them. Now, by reducing the
work week, we are going to get both
time and opportunity, and we are go
ing to make good use Of both.
ut is perfectly clear to everyone,
I think, who has the slightest knowl-
edge of economics and sociology, that
democratic control must come, and
that we are on the verge Of it now.
The workingmen of the United States
are not satisfied with a mere status
as wOrkingmen; they feel that they
are essential to industry and that they
should have a voice in the way it
is to be conducted. Moreover, popu-
latiOn is steadily increasing, and at a
more rapid rate than industry. The
present method Of production has out
lived its usefulness; unless a change
is made, it will be thoroughly made
quate for the future. That is why
our young men in the labor move
ment are studying business methods,
technics, and economics. They re-
aIize that they must take a larger
share in the conduct of industry II
the nation and the world are to be
properly served.
THE step taken by the railroad
men is the first toward gaining demo-
cratic control. The miners will come
next. Just such program is neces-
sary If industry is to meet the de-
mands that the increasing population |
will place upon 1t, for under business |
management industry will not grow |
rapidly enough to take care OF |
the surplus labor power that will be |
available through the natural increase J