Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-02

Skowhegan and Mrs. Jennie Flood
kregar of Fairfield before the Bust
ness and Professional women of Wa
terville at a meeting in Woodman
hall. Mr.. Smith spoke in favor of
the bill while Mrs. Kregar spoke in
opposition. Both addresses were
very interesting and contained many
clearcut arguments.
Mr.. Smith who is a state senator
introduced the bill into the last leg
islature. He was the first speaker
| of the evening.
Concerning the farming industry
Mr.. Smith said the most successful
farming Of the United States is car
ried on in the West where the eight
hour day for women has been in eff
feet for a Ions time.
Senator Smith declared that many
manufacturers Of Maine are not OPP
posed to the 4S hour week for women
or men either and that in many in
dustries Of the state 1t has ben the
time Of working for many years.
The opposition comes from thoise
who regard the golden dollars above
human health and betterment," stat
ed the speaker.
Mr.. Smith quoted figures from
many kinds of industries in the state.
OF the 66 wooden mills &c have the
eight hour day In the shoeshops of
there are 80 one thir,, have the so
hour week while the rest have the "a
hour week, with an average weekly
wage of 1854. $466 less week than
is paid in Massachusetts shops where
the eight hour day is in effect. There
are Is cotton mills employing 10000
men and women all working on the
81 hour basis. The cotton operators
say that because OF the 10 or y hour
day in the south the mills should
work long hours in the north.
The speaker affirmed that the ar
! gument was based on selfishness, on
shifting sands fer the class Of en-
| ployces is much better in Maine and
in the south they are changing to
shorter hours as the industrial CEN
tiers grow larger. He said the longer
hours and nearer fuel of the south
could not compare with the superior
working qualities of the men and wo-
| men of the north.
Speaking of the death rate of girls
in the cotton mills Mr.. Smith said
they We're 3.3 per cent compared
with the IL per cent for other in
dustriCs. while the death rate of
women is 175 per cent greater than
in all other industries. He declared
that the most successful of business
men lad adopted the humane attl-
tudc.
in my own town of Skowheean,
said the senator. we have spinning
mill that has worked for Il years
night and dav. with an increase in
that time from 500 share to $500
and the eight hour day is in effect.
The Amos!icag mills OF New H&mp-
shire where an eight hour day Is
used when a nine hour day is per
missable shows 4 profit in the past
five years of SO, 1920 The Pacific
cotton mills of Massachusetts de
clared dividend last year of 1oN
per cent The Bates Manufacturing
CO.. Of Lewiston in the past five
to - per cent and they use the
eight hour day. Thu American
Wooden Co.'S so factories, Is of which
are in Maine all on an eight hour
day in 1900 had a surplusu of $780,
600, while in 1922 the surplus was
So. 500. 900. The president of the Am
erican Wooden Co, Mr.. Wood decided
years ago that the 4S-hour week was
reasonable for men and women and
still they tell us that the eight hour
dav will destroy industry and agrl-
! =
government gave the Federal en-
plovces the eight hour day and
there has never been any attempt to
repeal this act.
Mr.. Smith averred that long hours
in the factory are not so bad for the
man whose work is done when he
leaves the factory but for the woman
who has children to care for and
Eousewor:i to do. the long hours mean
y
can be only as strong as her women
and it is up to the voters to see
that she is protected by the short
hour day.
Records do not reveal in single
instance that shorter hours have meant
less pay" said Senator Smith. The
prosperity of this nation depends on
| the prosperity of the workers who are
the largest consumers of farm and fac
tory products. Maine must courageous
ly stand by her boys and girls and give
them the same working privileges that
are accorded in other states or there
| will be no factories to operate or farms
to cultivate. With the exception of
Chira and Japan, every civilized nation
in the world has given women an eight
! hour day. Eleven of our own states
have sounded the call for the humane
| working day"
Mrs. Jennie Flood kreger
1T have been working from u to 1G
hours this summer" said Mrs. Krceer.
/ smiling. but ! would like 4 working
day two hours long and l would like to
! choose my own occupation. At the
present time there is a condition Of I'M
rest. People are dissatisfied with their
| occupations. I have come to the con-
clusion that we are a people seeking
comfort: that we worship at the altar
! of comfort"
Mrs. kreger declared that the ques-
! tior of the 4S-hour week is not one of
capital and labor. but one of economic
consideration. She said that besides
capital and labor to be considered in
| the matter that was a third impor-
| tant body-thc consumer. People
| through their life consume so much
and this must be produced. and if the
working hours keep growing shorter
the time is not far distant when the
consumption will exceed the produc-
| ton.
Mrs Kreger mentioned that Mr..
| Smith in his address in quoting statis-
tics had mentioned only the concerns
| working 81 hours a Gay and she agreed
| that the eght-hour shift was the only
| proper one for concerns working all
| the time.
Speaking of a conversation with
| her son who is a corporation lawyer
| in Massachusetts, Mrs. Kreger said