Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-10-28
12-HOUR DAY AND
7-DAY WEEK BOTH
'UNJUSTIFIABLE'
Neither Should Be Tolerated In
industry of Nation, Declares
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
8 HOUR STANDARD IS BEST
Only Emergencies Justify Longer
Working Day Says Sons OF
Worlds Richest Man


NEW YORK, Oct. 28.-John D.
Rockefeller, Jr., in this months is
sue of the Survey Graphic, publish
cd today, makes a sweeping state
ment Of labor policy in which ne
takes his personal stand for the eight
hour day as the standard to be ac-
cepted and pressed for in American
industry and flatly declares the 12-
hour-day and seven-day-week to be
unnecessary, uneconomic and un-
justifiable." MIR. Rockefeller's
statement follows the presentation Of
findings as to working conditions un-
der Standard and other producing
companies in the same issue of the
Survey Graphic by R. S. Lynd, based
on first-hand investigation in the oil
fields.
12-Hour Day and 7-Day Wesk.
Il believe" says Mr.. Rockefeller,
that generally speaking, the l2-hour
day and the 7-day week should no
longer be tolerated in industry, eth
er from the viewpoint Of public poll
ey or Of industrial efficiency; | be-
heve that both have been proven to
be unnecessary, uneconomic and un-
justifiable. AS a matter Of general
policy, subject only to the demands
of occasional emergency, modern in
dustry is justified in accepting the
eight-hour day and the six-day week,
as labor standard toward which all
the parties interested should steadily
press. Even in those industries
where the continuous process is an
inevitable Feature, the routine should
be so adjusted that the employees can
have at least one days rest in seven
and can obtain that share of leis-
ure for self-development which ac-
companies the work-day of approxi-
mately eight hours.
"While the adoption Of these stan
dards 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 opinion will support any industry
which installs them, The same senti-
ment will eventually bring into line
the less scrupulous and less enlight-
ened elements in every competitive
industry.
with regard to living conditions
there can be even less room for argu-
ment or division Of opinion among
men of clear vision and humane
mind. Even in isolated locations like
mining camps, it is not only possible
but necessary that reasonable pro-
vision should be made for the health,
comfort and contentment of those
who may labor there in behalf of the
entire community. The oil fields, to
be sure, suffer difficulties even
greater than the coal mines, being
not only temporary but speculative
in their output Even with this la
lowance the environment is certain
ly subject to amelioration and to
such provision for home and recrea-
tional life as will promote the well
being of all those concerned.
Il have never believed that these
things should be provided for work
ing men and women either as re-
suit Of chance generosity or delib-
crate paternalism. Quite aside from
the fact that, in my judgment, Jhey
represent the soundest economic pol
icy, they are due the employe as a
matter of common justice, required
by the basic fact that man is a hu-
man being first and member Of
industry afterWard.
"As private citizen and individ-
ual stockholder, l have never hest
tated to state my position on these
points with all the clearness at my
command | have not Willingly lost
an oppoEtunity-so far as a minori-
ty stockholders may do so-to rein
force my position on the general pol
icy with action that would be most
concrete and adequate. l have done
so moreover, where changes urged by
me involved competitive burdens and
consequent anxiety to responsible
managers, but / have never seer
reason to regret any advance thus
obtained or to modify the grounds
on which they were urged. On the
Continued on Page Two.)