Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-07-16
SEES 8-HOUR DAY
IN January, 1924
Steel Head Also Says Better
Conditions for Men Will
Cause Price Boost.
BY j. G. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
NEW YORK, July 16.-Inauguration
of the eight hour day in the steel In
dustry will result in an increase in
steel prices of about So ton, accord
ing to James A. Campbell, president Of
the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Com
pany. Mr.. Campbell indicated that he
believed the eight-hour day for steel
mill workers would be placed in opera
ton by his company by @the beginning
of 1924, but admitted he did not know
how or where the additional workers
required would be gathered.
'The inauguration of the eight-hour
day will require about 1000 additional
men in the sheet and tube plants, ne
said. II do not know where the labor is
coming from. but assume it can be &C
CURED" He added that the untitled
tonnage of the company was within
$4,000 tons of the peak.
Other steel men, both independents
and those connected with the United
States Steel Corporation, took issue with
Mr.. CampbelfS optimistic prediction, as
we'll as with the report that Judge
L. II. Gary expects the cessation Of the
twelve hour day in some cases within
six weeks.
pointed out today that comparatively
few of the immigrants who have reach
ed this country with the July ! quotas
have entered the steel industry Many
came to the Pittsburgh district be-
cause they had friends or relatives
there, but while some may eventually
ind their way into the mills, in most
instances they passed on TO other nelds,
1t is true, however. that the labor situa-
ton in Pittsburgh has been relieved to
slowing
work in the coal mines.
Importing Help Unsatisfactory,
Northern industrial employers are
beginning to admit freely that they
are far from satisfied with the results
OF importing negro labor from the
south. Pittsburgh mill executives
say the negroes have had difficulty in
adopting themselves to plant condi-
tions and are inclined to drift. High
living costs and anticipating severe
winters are influencing negroes TO
return to the south. Few of the
SlaVs, regarded as the most salts
factory steel workers. have applied
at the mills for work.
Detroit, Philade lphia, st. Louis and
Cleveland are facing serious prob
lens as the result of the influx Of un-
skilled negro labor. according to re-
ports received by the Georgia Manu-
facturers' Association. These reports
indicate a slackening demand for this
arrivals are taxing housing condi-
tions
"Unskilled negro labor is a drag
on the market in Detroit" said T. l.
Doian, general superintendent of
public welfare of that city. New ar
rivals are. finding it difficult to OBJ
tain employment. Housing condi-
lions are very bad. New arrivals are
Forced to live in crowded rooms at
excessive prices. If the period of un-
employment continues, unskilled col
ored labor will be in dire straits, and
the city Is not financed TO care for
any more southern negroes"
Housing Conditions Serious.
The Society for Organized Charity
in Philadelphia reported:
Housing shortage here makes the
worker serious, living. as they do, in
crowded quarters that menace health.
sixteen of these people were recently
found living in one room. A recent
canvass by the housing association.
covering 61.156 houses. showed only
fifty-six for rent at prices below $50
month and few, II any, of these are
available for negroes"
The st. Louis Providence Associa-
ton stated that an increasing number
or negroes was coming daily to that
center. where the growing problem
they presented was recognized. At
tention, 1t was added, was being given
TO meeting a possible emergency not
far removed if the influx continued.
Some Mexican labor is finding its
way to the steel mills, bus the Mexi
mands that these workers be assured
transportation back to their homes
south of the Rio Grande. so that their
employment is regarded by many
plant executives as merely temporary.