“Declaring that under present conditions in the American steel industry, three shifts of eight hours instead of two shifts of 12 hours each would be impracticable, Judge Elbert H. Gary thus summarizes the difficulties that lie in the path of realizing the ancient formula of eight hours for sleep, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for work.
“We are not making enough to pay our dividends on common stock. They are paid in part from surplus. With such added expense as the eight-hour day must necessarily entail, we would face staggering losses or an increase in prices which would be likely to have a most depressing effect upon all building and many other lines of industry.
“Germany and France are going back to the 12-hour day because they must produce and compete with us. There is agitation in England to the same end. In brief it comes down to this: The price of a complete change to the eight-hour day would be more than business would pay. Ethically and socially it is right. Economically it is not feasible now. Eventually we hope to bring it about.
“Naturally enough, Judge Cary’s frank statement brings a sharp retort from labor leaders. Under Washington date of Saturday, Samuel W. Gompers thus replies to the captain of the steel industry:
“Mr. Gary has more than once proclaimed his solicitude for the workers. It is scarcely solicitude which has held thousands of steel workers under the yoke of slavery all these years with the inhuman 12-hour day. The workers resent this condition which robs them of their freedom and of everything but their manhood. “In their individual capacity they are powerless to resist, but collectively they can and they will resist the imposition of such arbitrary, inconsiderate and inhuman authority, an authority doubly damaging because it is also economically unsound, serving only profit. Ultimately the 12-hour day will have to go, Mr. Gary’s absolute necessity to the contrary notwithstanding. It is wrong socially, morally and economically. It cannot much longer remain.
“Probably neither the captain of the steel corporation nor the president of the America Labor Federation could have stated his side of the question more clearly or succinctly. Judge Gary alleges that a three-shift day would handicap American steel in its competition with European manufacturers, and perhaps cut the Americans out of trade they now enjoy, leading ultimately to the closing down of some of our industries. Mr. Gompers is contented to threaten the steel manufacturers with a nationwide strike.
“Both Judge Gary and Mr. Gompers agree that ethically and socially a 12-hour day is too long, but they disagree as to the economics.
. . . .
From the Birmingham News, as reprinted on the editorial page of The Daily Free Press, Kinston, N.C., Dec. 27, 1922
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