The Connecticut labor news., 1923-08-25
TYPOS 6-DAY LAW WAS FATHERED BY
 WOMAN DELEGATE
I. T. U. Convention in Atlanta Last Week Recalls Fight There
 g Years Ago.

Coincident with the o8th session oi the International Typographical Union, held last week in Atlanta, old time printers who attended prevI- ous convention held in the Georgia city in 1880 recalled the memorable fight staged there by woman dele gate that won the first recognition of the six-day week in the printing and publishing industry.
 Miss Frances L. Taylor, to whom that honor belongs, will go down in the history of the printing trade as the author of the six-day law which now prevails in every union print shop in the United States and Can ada. Despite advancing years, she still carries union card and holds down job in the proofroom of a Washington daily newspaper.
 It was as a delegate from Cincin- nati local No. 3 that Miss Taylor at tended the 18th convention of the Ty- geographical Union in Atlanta g years ago. As printer on the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, Miss Taylor felt keenly the hardships that the "sub- stitutes" had to undergo in order to eke out living. She determined if the opportunity ever presented itself she would strive to secure larger measure of justice for the subs"
 Her opportunity came at the At lanta convention. She first proposed a hve-day law. but the opposition to this was overwhelming. Then she compromised on a six-day law, under which the "subs" would be insured a greater opportunity for employment The convention went on record In favor of 1t after hot fight.
 My object in proposing the six day law" Miss Taylor said, Twas to give the substitutes enough work to enable them to hold out until they could obtain regular positions.
 Prior to it's passage, morning newspapers and some afternoon pa pers gave printers seven-day jobs. They were expected to work every day in the year, including all holi- days, even Christmas. As this was impossible, system of substitutes was established.
 "The subs and their sufferings were the chief cause of the six-day law. Many printers were taking ad of their rights to work seven days week ,and consequently many were unable to secure any more than two or three days work during the week
 sWere 1t not for the subs stand ing ready to fill in at moments notice," said Miss Taylor, "I believe the printers union would go to pieces. Even six days work, year in and year out, would disable the most TO- bust printer The fact is, the sub the job when the regular is sick or needs a vacation. He IS IS all-important as the safety-valve on an engine The old-time subs were the backbone of the union"
 Now that the six-day law has been n effect for g years, she declares 1t 1as proved as useful and helpful to he union as it's adherents claimed ;or 1t, and IS popular law among he rank and file of printers.
 Miss Taylor during her wanderings about the United States working in various cities at one time was em- )loyed in the Government Printing Office, the largest printing establish nent in the world Lack of a system of substitutes in that office, she de- ,lares, Is responsible for much of its abor troubles that sometimes have attracted the attention of congress.
 Miss Taylor's record in the Typo graphical Union Is proof that women n the printing trade have an equal with men. In fact, as far pack as the Richmond convention of 1872 the Typographical Union ad- nitted female printers" to member ship on the same footing in all re- spects as men.