Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-28

from your more mature study Of the
question, whether or not it would be
practical for our Maine industries to
maintain their present prosperity I'M
der q 4Shour-week. 1t is for the
representatives of our agriculturists
to advise us as to what effect if any.
such legal restriction of the hours of
labor would have upon the prosperity
of our farmers. 1t is for the repre-
sentatives of our banks to advise us
to what extent this proceed rcstric-
ton would be left in our financial in
situations. And finally, but most i'm
portant of all it is for our women to
advise US what they think about the
matter.
Philip Dana Of Portland
Representing the cotton textile in
dustries of Maine, Philip Dana of
Westbrook then addressed the gath
wing. Mr.. Dana pointed out that
Names fine record is due to the hard
work of its inhabitants and settlers,
and that a most unhappy person is
he who has nothing to do but to try
to have a good time. There is too
much looking down on toll today and
too little said about toll which has
made this nation a success.
Referring to the textile industry
and its relation to the 4S-hour law
and 54hour week. the speaker said
that the 4Shour bill is supposed to
be health measure for women. In
1919 there were 1900 men. 6556 wom-
en-, 81 boys and 53 girls employed in
this industry in Maine. There are
so few minors that 4 change of hours
has little effect in running the mills.
In the case Of women, it is differ
ent. they numbering about one half
the number employed and by curtail-
ment of their hours serves as a cur
taIlment of the output. What applies
to women likewise applies to men. 1t
is impossible to have short hours for
women and not for men. The work
OF the women is not hard or continu-
GUS: there are rests and periods of
relaxation in all of the spinning mills.
change in the number of hours
means a reduction in the output of
IL per cent. and Il reduction in the
incomes of workers of IL per cent.
The standard of living determines the
health. Today there are more COM
forts in the average working home
than there used to be. This reduc-
ton in the case of a man will mean
that he will be that much less able to
provide for his wife and children.
Thus it appears that the very object
for which tho bill was drawn-the
protection of women and children
will be defeated.
Answering the question why mills
cannot pay the same wages for a AS
hour week as 54-hour week, Mr..
Dana spoke of the big competition
OF the southern mills with those OF
New England and stated that the
southern plants are becoming better
organized. He stated that in time the
southern mills will get the orders and
the Maine. mills will be part time
industries, running only to fill the
orders that the south cannot pro.
duce.
1t work that has made New Eng.
land, he declared. If we take, away
any ones right to work we lose the
pest asset that Maine and New Eng
land now has.
Other Speakers
Noi FRED \. Dow of the Portland
Evening Express said that from his
observation it appears that this coun-
try has never reached it's present state
OF posterity in charge of men seeking
TO work as few hours as possible and
10 90 as little work in that time as
possible He stated that he has never
round sounder advice than this: "By
earn his daily bread"
Judge Benjamin +. Cleaves of Port
land. secretary of the Associated In
dustries of Maine. then read a letter
from Lemuel ]. Coburn. formerly of
Maine. and now resident of Los An
geles, Cal, where he is connected with
the Pioneer Pacific Wooden Co. Mr..
Coburn wrote concerning the COMPETE
tlon or the west with New England in
the textile industry and the advantages
OF the west. including cheaper fuel and
less fuel needed. cheaper freight rates.
and the fact that California is 5000
miles nearer the Australian wool mar
kct than is Boston.
Hiram w. Kicker of Poland Spring
stated that in the summer hotel bust
mess the 4S-hour law would serve to
shorten the season end impair certain
departments The Maine resorts are
now carrying all the burdens they can
with the price of coal. transportation
and supplies advanced from rs per
cent. to 200 per cent. and food prices
from 20 to 80 per cent. Building costs
have increased in Maine. We will
never again see such house as this
in New England. he said, referring to
the Poland Spring hotel. 1t cannot be
done and pay per cent. on the invest
ment. He said that he felt the textile |
industry has about all the burden it
can carry without any change in hours. |
Miss Marguerite Brooks. managing
director Of the NJ. N. Mayehoff Co.,