Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-02
48-HOUR WEEK
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40"HOOR EEh
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give me the name of the plant whora
women were Disseminated against be-
cause they attended the other hear
ing" said Judge Cleayes. the counsel
for the Associated, Industries.
II do not think that it would be fair
to give the name of. the concern" re-
piled Mr. O'Conneli.
do you think that it is fair to
make this statement before the COM
mittee and then not tell us where YOU
obained the information asked
Judge Cleaves.
Knowing industrial leaders as L
do, even if I knew the name of the
concern, l would withhold it," re-
piled Mr.. O'Connell. y
I'VE are discussing the 4S-hour law
and 1 do not see where this matter
.ias any bearing on the case at ALL"
said Attorney McCarty.
Then control your own witnesses"
said Judge Cleaves.
Elk Representative Henry A. Des-
coteaux of Biddeford, representing
the textile workers of Maine, spoke
in favor of the measure. He de-
clared that the textile workeds be.
lieved that the act would be a great
help to the women and children, par
ticularly the women, as they are con-
stantly on their feet while they are
at work.
James o. Poulin of Livermore Falls,
the president of the Maine Federation
of Labor, in favoring the bill, said
that the organization which he repre-
scented favored all progressive legisla-
ton.
"Seventy-one per cent. of the vot-
ers favored the 54-hour law when it
went to the voters for ratification in
1916" said Mr.. Poulin, "and, mind you
at that time, the women of the State
did not have the right of suffrage.
Mrs. Laura Norman of Lewiston, a
textile operative, spoke in favor Of
the bill. She said that she could take
off more cloth in 4S hours than she
could in "a hours. the 4S-hour law
would give her more time to care for
her children and as much will be pro-
duced under 4S-hour law as under a
60-hour law.
Mrs. Annie Arsenault of Lewiston
spoke briefly in favor of the, bill
Mrs. Eva Mahoney made a rafting
good speech in favor of the measure.
saying that as much could be ac-
complished under a 4s-hour law as
under 54-hour law.
Mrs Eleanor Boiley of Brunswick
III fayoring the bill said that she
could turn out just as much cloth to-
day as nder the 60-hour law.
Corteze P. Smith Of Fairfield, legis-
lativeagent of the Maine Federation
of Labor, said that when a woman
has stood alta loom eight hours a day
she has stood there pretty nearly long
enough. Carpenters, for instance
said Mr. Smith, only work eight
hours day and why. should women
work longer hours?
Flora DUDE of Brunswick was eailed
upon and told the committee that she
and her fellow workers work harder
and produce more under the existing
54-hour law than they did under. the
60-hour schedule.
. Joseph f. Audet of Lewiston was
the final speaker for the proponents NJ
the bill and spoke as representative
or the shoe industry. He stated that
the shoe industry needs shorter hours
more than any other industry in the
state because the work requires more
strength and application. Some man
ufacfurers in the State already give
this schedule to their employees, said
the speaker. and in Massachusetts a.
and 40 hours are considered a .waak.s
work.
The Opposition
Judge BENJAMIN r. Cleayes. repre- !
senting the Allied Industries of Maine.
opened for the opponents to the meas
ure and stated to the COMMITTEES that
an arrangement had been made Tor
single speaker to represent each OF
the industries affected rather than tn
have the entire opposition heard. He
read a letter from George G. Emery Of
Sanford opposing the proposed 4s-hour
law hs working an injustice both to
industries and labor. The letter said
that there are three factors in every
question OF this nature-capitsl. labor
ana the pnbiic--and the interests Of
the three are closely allied. There can
be but two avenues for the nan.esc-
tarer &c take should this bill be passed
"a raise in the cost ofs the anfshed
product or cut in the present sala-
ries. Neither of these is feasible at
the present time and he recommended
that the committee report ought NOT
to pass on the measure,
Philip Dana OF Wsstbrock Of the
pans Warp Mills nrgsA that the bosrs
Of labor. as regulated by the present
laws, remain unchanged for the inter.