Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-06
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employees of this industry through any
recession Of demand for steel products
or at any time where there is a sur
plus of labor available, that then the
change should be made from the two
shifts to the three shifts basis. l can
not but believe that such an undertake
ing would give great satisfaction to
the American people as whole and
would indeed establish pride and conf
dence in the ability of our industries
themselves to solve matters which are
so conclusively advocated by the pub
lic."
The chief executive also referred to
the merchant marine. American school
system and the social evolution which
was setting up new conditions of in
dustry in this land" in his address.
Under old time conceptions OF
fancied ease in professional life and
the manifestly larger rewards OF
commerce" Mr.. Harding said. there
has been a tendency to get away
from the trades and the tasks out OF
which are wrought the very essen.
tials of all attainments. We must,
we do recognize, sthat the wage earn
err is quite as essential as the profess
SlOfldl anu NhS iAODAAANJ
righteous employment is the same In
either pursuit. Our aim ought to be
not to rescue the oncoming genera
ton from the essential pursuits and
activities, but to equalize the re-
wards. We can't cease work; there
is no life without labor. 1t would not
be endurable if there were.
1--WE are making fine progress IN
the great social evolution. Long ago
we set up new standards of living,
new conditions of industry in this
land. We are constantly striving, not
for conditions which tend to paralyZe
but conditions of greater inspiration
and fit contentment.
81 am able today to give promise
of a very notable forward step. IT is
my firm belief that one OF the great
avenues Of progress in American life
lies in the constant recognition OF
American industry of its obligations
to our society as whole, and that
MANY of our most successful steps In
social progress are made through the
voluntary action of industry itself IN
amelioration of those hardships that
have grown from the rapid growth OF
industry. 1t is very gratifying there-
fore to be able to announce an I'M
portant step in such progress.
have received a joint communication
from the large majority OF steer
manufacturers OF America In when
they have undertaken to abolish the
12-hour day in the American steer IN
dustry at the earliest moment ina
the additional labor required shall be
available. ~,
"F,arly In the administration, feel
dow nf this I3nRJn
was an anachronism In American
life. that regardless of any other con-
sideration, 1t did not permit OF the
nroper development of citizenship
and family life, I suggested to the
steel industry that they should ap-
noint q committee to develop methods
for its abolition. After an investiga-
tion extended over some IL months
the steel manufacturers came 10 the
conclusion that in view of the pres
emit shortage of labor such revoiu-
ton in the industry was lnfeaslpie.
JJpon the receipt of this report, sun
felt that a pledge on the part or the
steel manufacturers that they would
undertake to respond to manifest
nublic opinion in the matter would ne
welcomed by our people as a whoie
and would be received as great
boon by American workers. IL Is IN
response to this suggestion that
have received today the pledge TO
which 1 have referred. -! :,
81 wish to congratulate the steer
industry on this important step. IL
will heal a sore In American INDUS
trial life which has been the cause or
infinite struggle and bitterness for
over q generation. 1t Is an ex-
ample that trust the few other con-
tinuous processes in industry which
still maintain the 12-hour shift may
rapidly follow. I should be proud. in
deed, If my administration were
marked by the final passing OF the
12-hour working day in American
life.
There is another American aspira-
ton on which l have wished to touch
today. You Of Tacoma are proud OF
your harbor and dock facilities. You
provide the dock facilities and the
government improves the harbors.
But of what value is either without
shipping? A merchant marine is the
worthy aspiration of every CONNER
cial nation. There can be no de-
pendable commerce without carriers
and there can be no eminence In
American commerce without Anleri-
can carriers. Friendship among ma
tons does not demand Of them the
promotion of competitors trade.
"This administration has been
earnestly striving for a great and eff
ficient American merchant marine.
We had it once, when the sails of
our clippers whitened the seas Of
the world. But there came recess
sion and the World war found us an
have always believed that there
would have been no war, certainly it
would have been of less duration, il
we had possessed a merchant marine
comparable to our commercial as
pirations. In the exigencies Of war
I've builded ships as no nation ever
built before.
I'VE expended Approximately three