The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-09-06
.SKOWHEGAN MAN ON
8 HOUR DAY
Says Law is Not Detri-
mental to Farmers
Clyde III. Smith Addresses About 800
Members of Labor Organiz-
atiOns mt Tacoma Monday

One of the most important issues
before the people of Somerset Coun-
ty and Maine is the Eight Hour Day
Initiative Petition presented at the
last legislature and which will be set
tied by a state wide referendum on
October 18th. The manufacturing
interests have for some time been
conducting a campaign against the
measure while Senator Clyde H. Smith
went to Tacoma Monday to fire the
first shot in what promises to be one
of the most aggressive campaigns
ever confronting voters of the Pine
Tree State.
The speaking followed a parade and
field day participated in by various
labor organizations from Lewiston,
Auburn, Livermore Falls and other
industrial cities. While Mr.. Smith
spoke about the Initiative Petition in
general yet his main theme was in
the nature of answers with convincing
statistics to the various statements
sent out in pamphlets, newspaper ad-
yertising and other publicity, by the
Associated Industries of Maine. The
Senator spoke in part as follows
"While the pending measure does
not directly concern the agriculturist,
supreme effort is being made by the
captains of industry to enlist his. sup
port; every village, hamlet and town,
cross road and country side, becoming
the center of their activities. And
by making indirect arguments they
hope to confuse and influence the
farmers vote. In almost convulsive
hysteria they explain how labor rep
resents the one big item in the pro-
duction cost of shoes, clothes and
other necessities and that a shorter
day for women will increase this eX-
pense. A style of propaganda that
appeals to the susceptiye minds of
human beings, and would be effective
at this time had it not been for re-
cent Federal Investigations. But
when our government found that a
suit of clothes retailing at fifty dol
lars contained labor cost of less
than thirteen dollarss and that the
price of our coal is measured by four
wholesale profits ranging from twenty
cents to four dollars and fifty cents
per ton the brilliant" lost its lustre
Suppose that wage scale of two
dollars for ten hour day had exist
ed last season, how much more would
the farmer have received for his po-
tatoes? Or, when his wool was sell
ing for fifteen cents per pound how
much less did you pay for all wool
pants, provided that such a novelty
could have been found. My friends,
it is not wages, it is not hours, but
excess profits of the manufacturer
needless commissions of the middle
man and speculator that have re-
duced the purchasing power of your
days work and of the farmers pro-
duce. The margin between potatoes
selling in Maine for fifty cents per
bushel and in Boston for one dollar
per peck, represents a condition that
Is million times more detrimental to
farming than all the laws pertaining
devise. In fact, the most successful
farming in this country is carried on
In the West in the very states that
long ago gave women an eight hour
day, and If the farmer-labor condition
of that great farming section so re-
Gently exemplified in Minnesota, is to
be extended to our homes and firesides,
all the influence, all the money, all
the newspapers controlled by the OPP
position cannot defeat labor in her
effort for that day of justice"
He pointed out those progressive
manufacturers who, from choice, are
operating on the shorter day. The
Government was cited as having long
ago given those in it's employ an s.
hour day. These and other contentious
were dealt with in detail by Mr..
Smith. He concluded with this ap-
peal: "Laboring men and women, this
great issue is deserving of your un-
firing and unflinching devotion. With
out such efforts there can be no final
victory. You must fight for the ideals
you cherish, ring true to the tradi-
tions of the past, and once more
triumph in the cause that is just