Evening star., 1922-11-10
Foreign Agitation Against Eight
Hour Day Meets Opposition Here.

|
Revival Of suggestions in England
and Germany that the ten and twelve
hour work day be restored in indus
try. on the ground that the eight
hour day is curtailing production. has
resulted in discussion of the sugges-
ton rather widely throughout the
United States In this connection the
unqualified Endorsement by John D.
Rockefeller. jr.. of the entire princi-
pie of the eight-hour day. six-day
week. has been exceedingly well re-
ceived. 1t Is argued that his declara-
ton followed a careful investigation
of the economic principles involved
and that it will have a very bene-
fetal effect in checking any agitation
for a longer work day in the United
States at this time.
Amy attempt to impose longer
hours Of work and deprive men and
women of the day a week which the
Bible authorized in the very dawn Of
history" argues the Dayton News.
Invariably has failed as an economic
measure. After all. what the world
needs most Ia to get back to first
principles MT FtocheieleE spedhs
pist." insists the Chicago News. but
as one interested in. and responsible
for. Industrial policies. Still. in the
United States. the wealthiest and
most progressive Of industrial ma
tions, famous for inventions. readi-
ness to improve processes and scrap
obsolescent machinery. there still ex-
lists stubborn opposition to desira-
BILE and beneficial change which i'm
poverished Europe and backward In
dia have found 1t possible to make in
York Globe does not believe that the
steel and oil industries are the only
ones in which the twelve-hour work
day persists. In other of the continu-
Gus process Industries 1t fingers. 1t
Is indefensible wherever workers are
man adjuncts to machines, and it
ought to be abolished"
The New York Tribune asserts that
"hand-in-han with this shorter and
more humane period must go a clear
recognition that the shorter days Ia
There Is a tendency toward longer
hours again in Europe. This country
can maintain its present high stand
ard of living. its widely shared COM
forts and luxuries. only II its workers
produce their full output. The coun-
work. and only by hard work can 1t
retain its supremacy. The full adop-
ton OF the eight-hour day must come
with full appreciation of this truth"
Granting this to be so. the Boston
Post holds that Mr.. Rockefeller uses
"a few words that embrace \ con-
vincing argument when he calls for
the change from the longer day and
longer week in the interest of public
policy and industrial efficiency and
economy. The younger Rockefeller
shows wisdom In thus anticipating the
future"
1t Is important, in tho opinion Of
the Lincoln State Journal, that Mr..
Rockefeller docs not agree with the
employers and capitalists who hold
curing these desirable things are in
)superable. Mr.. Rockefeller does not
, attempt to evade responsibility. He
holds that all owners of business
should use their influence to try to
raise industry to a level OF public
Ss5zss wo1 ssa pes h15sss pses ts9 to ali ans tho
live in." The Pittsburgh Press be-
lieves that tho old day when tho
owner was the boss has in most in
dustries gone for good. All the moro
reason why the workers should be
these concerns-so Mr.. Rockefeller
argues. Business loses billions Of
dollars every year by the strife grow
ing from the efforts of the Berwinds
to exclude them" It is the view of
the Milwaukee Sentinel that foreign
labor is as much responsible for tho
| survival Of the twelve-hour day in
| America as Is big business, because
the alien laborers are not interested
In tho American standard OF living
and "cheerfully undergo privations
for the greater reward of speedy
competence and return to their home.
| When the American standard of liv-
ing Is accepted by all workers. the
twelve hour day is likely to die a
natural DEATH" "EnliEhtshed opin-
ion already recognises the eight-hour
day as a basic policy in industry"
the Chattanooga News holds, and the
revolution. perhaps. cannot be car
ried through In q day, but efforts
should be steadily directed toward
| that goal. These should not follow
lines of hysteria, however. Public
opinion should be educated until 1t
| shall become Irresistible"
It would "be mistake" to under.
estimate tho Importance to labor Of
this declaration, the Philadelphia
Record holds. because "ever since the
disturbances in the Colorado coal
Fields several years ago. In which
topsFators aetin1 fef tie Nockefslierl
}Wefa ehnr9ed with seriouB of6enses
n SNiISS S1S.S& SSks4 st, 49,, 1ssx.k t6ieb