Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-16

1855. relating to the Irish American
Relief Association of Portland.
Challenge Number
Continued from Page one)
Representative Maher Of the Judi
ciary Committee said: I'VE seem to
have the cart before the horse: why
not ascertain first, If the Constitu-
ton has been complied with"
Senator Buzzell held a whispered
consultation with Senator Smith.
Il feel that we should go on with
the hearing" said Senator Buzzell.
people have come from a distance
today and think we ought to hear
Them"
Senator Buzzell asked all those who
had come from a distance to stand.
About 100 people stood up in var
ious parts Of the hall. apparently
about evenly divided between the
employers and the workers.
Mr.. Cleaves said that if it had not
been for the suggestion Of Senator
Smith his representatives would have
looked over the names before and
would have been prepared on this
point.
Sdlu CuGTc
was no need at present Of arguing
the benefits of the Forty-Eight Hour
law. "For the present, at least, we
will assume that the signatures are
all right" he continued. land that
$4,000 electors of the State have
petitioned for this legislation. The
fact that the petition Is here re-
moves the need of arguing the bene-
fits Of the law" He reserved the
right to ask any questions that he
might desire Of those taking part in
the hearing.
A debate followed between Repre-
sentative Maher and Judge Cleaves.
) DO you think the Legislature is
the final arbiter Of the validity of
the signatures?" asked Representa-
tive Maher
mot if it appears that there are
but 11.70O names" replied Judge
Cleaves.
"Can the petitioners ask review IL
the committee finds 11,70O names
| and the petitioners have reason to
believe that the Legislature is mis-
taken" inquired Representativ Ma
/ her.
Judge cleaves thought they could
not.
II think the Legislature should as
sumo that the petitions are all right
and then the other side could have
recourse to the courts" said Rep
resentative Maher.
Senator Buzzell announced that
the Joint Committee had already
appointed a sub committee for the
examination Of the signatures and
would not report out this bill Or any
bills upon the matter until after the
subcommittee had reported.
Representative Holmes asked that
q representative of the Federation Of
Labor be also allowed to inspect the
names. along with the representative
or the Associated Industries.
Right" exclaimed Judge Maher.
Il can see no possible objection"
Mr.. Cleaves assented.
Chairman Buzzell echoed that there
was no objection.
Rep. Holmes Of Lewiston ANNOUNCE
ed that the bill Senate Document
1877 was the initiated measure and
he had no evidence to offer at pres
ent on the side of the proponents.
Judge Clecves then called upon
dent Of the Associated Industries Of
Maine. who made the first speech in
| opposition to the bill.
I'm these days of unions. blocs
and groups, with their noisy agita-
tors we are in danger of overlook
Ing the interests of the mass of cit
liens who are industrially and
quietly carrying on their duties"
! said Mr.. Elwell.
I'VE have too many special laws,
so many that they can't be enforc-
ed" continued Mr. Elwell.
"The danger lies in the changing
0Y lowC md tho -
laws as 1T takes the people a long
time to become adapted to the
changes.
1T is but fair to assume that the
(! proponents of this 4S-hour bill are
, int ,lligent and that they know what
this law would mean. Forty-eigh
hours a week for the omen means
48 hours 4 week for the men. as the
whole process Of industry is co-or-
dinated. Men cannot work without
the women in industry.
This attempt to hide behind the
| skirts of omen is unworthy Of the
proponents of this bill. At the re-
| suit Of an experience Of 80 yers in
employing women, I can see no dis
tinction between men ad women as
| regards the work that they do.
Philip Dana of Westbrook. speaking
for the cotton textile industry. OPP
posed the bill. He said that he dis
liked to discuss labor matters. but
there was but one state in the union
| with large textile industries which
had the 4S-hour law.
1.-THE curtailment Of the hours of
labor means curtailment in the
amount of the production" said Mr..
Dana. "And a reduction in hours
| means reduction in the output of
II per cent and a corresponding re-
d,ction in wages.
'Why u 54-hour work week does
not mean that the mill will run 81
| hours a day every day in the year
| except Sunday" continued Mr.. Dana.
| "A mill Is shut down on holidays
and for the lack of water and often
times for the lack of orders.
| Representative Holmes asked Mr..
Dana II a great deal Of cotton was
not shipped to New England to be
bleached from the South. Mr.. Dana
replied that the Pacific Mills had put
q finishing and bleaching plant in
the South.
Mr.. Dana said that in 1914 his
! firm considered seriously going to
To