The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-10-28
LONG WORK HOURS
ARE UNNECESSARY,
SAYSO|L MAGNATE
Greater Efficiency Would Re-
suit in Long Run From
Change in Industrial
System
By Associated Press

New York, October IA sweep
ing statement declaring his personal
stand for the eight-hour day in in
dustry and condemning the twelve
hour day and the seven-day week as
Unnecessary, uneconomic and unjus-
tifiable," was issued today by John
d. Rockefeller, Jr.
The statement appears in an ar
ticle signed by Mr.. Rockefeller in the
current issue of the Survey Graphie
and follows an arrangement of ac~t-
ing conditions in certain oil fields
of Wyoming in the same magazine
by r. S. Lynd, who spent three
months investigating conditions.
The statement today is the second
within a week that Mr.. Rockefeller
has given out in behalf OF the labor
ing men. The previous one. issued
last wednesday. was In the interest
of Pennsylvania coal miners. particu-
larly those employed by the Console
dalton Coal company Of which he ia
a stockholder.
I believe that, generally speaking.
the 12-hour day and the seven-day
week should no longer be tolerated
In industry, either from the View
point of public policy or of indus
trial efficiency" the oil msgnate says
in his most recent statement. II be-
licve that both have been proven to
be Unnecessary. uneconemic and I'M
justifiable."
Never Justftabie
Even in those industries where tho
so-called Continuous process is an
Inevitable feature, MIR. Rock
says he believes tho routine should
be so adjusted that the employees can
have at least one days rest in seven
and can obtain that snare of leisure
for self government which accom-
panies the work day OF approximate
iy eight hours.
while the adoption of these stand
ards may and doubtless will at first
entail Increased costs of production. /
am confident that in the long run
greater efficiency and economy will
result, and that from the outset pub
lie op!nisn will support ang industry
.sAhs&4 inatalia a b ~, .4s A.ssie {
7 iSxkt ssr IA L VI tIsp fets - \ II
- y -.sst x Z Y \ oss,t. Y 's.s,
camps. Mr.. Rock efeller declares thdt~
it is not only possible but necessary
to make reasonable provisions for the
health, comfort and contentinent of
those who labor there in behalf Of
the entire community.
Il have never believed tina ia-ss
things should be provided for work.
ing men and women, either as re-
suit of chance generosity or deliber-
ate paternalism," the statement con-
tinues quite aside from the fact
that, in my Judgment they represent
the soundest economic policy. they
are due to the employe as matter
OF common justice, required by the
basic fact that man is human
being first and a member of the in-
dustry afterwards.
"In pursuance Of this policy, some
Of the problems which have to De
faced, and many Of the evils which
should be removed areSdeeply rooted,
sometimes within single enterprise,
often within the processes of an en-
tire industry. To my mind, however.
where the right course is clear. diff
ficulties in the way do not excuse in
action, but rather should inspire
more vigorous determination. So far
as Eoncerns the discharge Of ~
own responsibility as stockk 'lder
for better Industrial conditions and
relations, l have made special pro-
vision for assistance in just such
tasks as these. which are sometimes
generous, often perplexing, but always
close to my heart"
The article of Mr.. Lynd. which
called forth Mr.. Rockefeller's state
rnent, is an intensive study of condi-
tions in the Elk Basin crude oil pro-
ducing field of wyoming, where, ac-
cording TO the author. ''one man in
three works IL hours day and seven
dass a week. and all other classes of
labor, including office personnel.
work a nine-hour day six and half
davs "a week"