Evening star., 1922-06-01
Steel Industry Should Act, Not
Talk, About Shorter Day.


Unanimous Endorsement is voiced
by the editorial writer's of the coun-
try for the, suggestion of President
Harding that the time has come when
the twelve-hour day in the steel in
dustry must go. Not single critic
President Is warmly commended for
his direct action method adopted to
secure the change In Industrial
methods. .. .--..... .rs
!. That in addition to the steel indus
try the President has other employee
in his mind is the. opinion OF the Bos..
tom Post. which suggests that "thit
dicative Of the Presidents intentions
ron the order now before him for his
consideration relative to putting gov
:ernment clerks on an eight-hour day,
The shorter day in many employments
has proven its utility, both financially
acting both wisely and friendly in
with the procession" Because indus
try generally has improved. where the
shorter work day is In efrect. the
Birmingham News is convinced that
the great manufacturers of iron and
steel should gather(together in one
place. on the advice of the President.
to discuss ways and means whereby
their industries may be readjusted SO
as to afford the workers more oppor-
-tunity for mental and spiritual ex-
pansion and for recreation"
president Harding did a fine thing
that is a credit to him and the coun-
try" the Duluth Herald declares, be-
cause while apparently past efforts
to abolish the twelve-hour day had
ness Of one or more Of the magnates
to have it abolished" the Springfield
Republican considers ''it.was q. good
thing to have brought them together
and to have put the issue plainly up
to them" The statement of Judge
Gary that a: committee would be ap-
pointed to investigate and report is
displeasing to the Chicago Tribune,
which recalls that "the whole propo-
.sition has been under investigation
for years. 1t is generally condemned.
Why not stop it now without more
cheering forT Action is. however,
possible SO soon as methods are made
effective that will bring operations
so closely together that few idle
periods are necessary for any group
Of workers" the Detroit Journal ex-
'plains. because whether 1t has always
been considered necessary evil or
not the twelve-hour work day is
doomed" and the New York Post re-
calls that 1.-The eight-hour day has
been found practicable in the British
steel industry" as well as in 2 num-
ber of American mills.
. The question of wages is an i'm
portant factor the Newark News feels
certain, asking whether under the
proposed eight -hour program Is labor,
by its reduction in hours. to lose one
third of its wage or are employers
to pay half as much again for their
labor in order to keep the days wage
up? It is a good thing to have the
subject under serious advisement, ma
tionally, but it will not do to assume
that 1t is easy Of adjustment" The
very fact the President was able to
present the situation SO that action
was promised observes commenda-
the Harding method of using sweet
oil instead Of threats and compu1sion
As not without merit In theory. II It
can be made to work better than the
Roosevelt or the Wilson style OF Inn
periously laying down the law every
very connection the Fort Wayne Jour.
mai Gazette suggests that "the steel
maRnates dined by the President IN
the White House no doubt enjoyed the
novelty and thanked God that wilson
and Roosevelt are gone"
The steel industry already has made
material progress In doing away. with
the twelve-hour day, the Wheeling
inteliigencer points out, and it eA-
piainS that The steel manufacturers
have been venting TO get rid Of It
entirely, 40 ii IL probable that, for
this reason: if-for no other, they will
seek to follow the Prealdents Eug-
Eestion.a while 1t 10, the opinion OF
the Lexiagten Leader that It 10 "very
that q. committee, after q
scientific and honest study of the facts,
can come to any conclusion except
that at which the President has ar
rived, that the shorter day should
and must become effective before. the
great revival of trade which he. secs
3ust ahead of the country. There is
no doubt in. the mfndTpf the New
Redford Standard that industrial
peace and prosperity In this country
depend to d very great extent onl the
adoption, sby the steel industry. eof
these more liberal and proEsassixe
1deas "a to houra at lNhor which it
alone Of all big indu1tfies I'd Tar has
reSiatea." u ALSO 10 certain. the Reno
|GoGette isr eonviaeaa. thst ''IAfestdspt