The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-11-15
FOREIGN AGITATION AGAINST
EIGHT HOUR DAY MEETS
OPPOSITION HERE

Revival Of suggestion in England and
Germany that the ten and twelve hour
day be restored in industry on the
ground that the eight hour day liz cur
falling production nag resulted in dis
cusgion Of the suggestion rather widely
throughout the United States. In this
connection the unqualified enforcement
by John .. Rockefeller, Jr,, IT the entire
principle u the eight hour day, six day
week, has been exceedingly well re-
ceiYcd. It Is argued that his declaration
followed d careful Investigation Of the
economic principles involved and that
it viii have a very beneficial effect in
checking any agitation for a. longer work
day In the United States at this time.
ANY attempt to impose longer hours
ri work and deprive men and women
IT the day week which the Bible au-
thorized in the very dawn Of history"
argueg the Dayton News, invariably has
failed as an economic measure. After
all, what the world needs most is to get
back 70 first principles" Mr.. Rookie
feller speaks not az an outsider or IA
philanthropist," 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 nations,
famous for Inventions, readiness to i'm
prove processes and scrap obsOlescent
machinery, there still exists stubborn
oppositfon to a desirable and beneficial
change which impoverished Europe and
backward India have found 1t impossi-
BILE to make in their steel industries"
Tho New York Globe does not believe
that the steel and oil industries arc the
only ones In which the twelve hour work
day persists In other Of the continuous
process industries it fingers. 1t is indie
fenaibIe whether workers are regarded
az men rather than as human adjuncts
to machines and 1t ought to be abol-
ished'
While cit is true that the general
adoption OF the standards indicated by
Mr.. Rockefeller would probably at first
entail increasing cost Of production" the
washington Post insists that expert
ence has shown that in the long run
they make for greater efficiency and
consequently for greater economy" Ac-
ceptance Of this as a fact, by no means
solves the problem" the New York Tr1b-
une says. because "hand in hand with
this shorter and more humane period
must 20 a clear recognition that the
shorter days labor must be faithfully
performed There is tendency toward
longer hours again in Europe. This
country can maintain its present high
standard Of living. its widely shared
comforts and Injuries, only If its work
ers produce their full output The coun-
try has become great through hard work
and only by hard work can it retain its
supremacy. The full adoption Of the
eight hour day must come with fuil ap-
probation of this truth Granting this
to be 80. the Boston Post holds that Mr.
Rockefeller uses "a few words that en-
brace q convincing 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 the opinion Of the
Lincoln state Journal. that Mr.. Rookie |
Teller does not agree with the employ |
ers and capitalists who hold that the
in the way. Of securing these
desirable things are insuperable. Mr..
does not attempt to evade