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ST. PAUL BUILDERS' EXCHANGE.

Resolved, That the Builders' Exchange of St. Paul, with a membership of 180 firms of contractors and manufacturers and dealers in the building lines, hereby petition the honorable Representatives in Congress to oppose the passage of what is known as the "Gardner eight-hour bill," now pending before Congress, or of any measure of like character which may be introduced.

We believe that the theory of regulating the hours of labor by law is wrong and inimical to the best interests of the people of this country, be they either employers or employees. Practically all of the factories (thousands in number) competing for Government work now operate their plants on a nine or ten hour basis, and should the bill in question become a law it would compel them to either run two shifts of men and operate two separate plants, one on eight-hour and the other on a nine or ten hour basis.

It is needless to say that a system like this would be impracticable. The only alternative left would therefore be for us to retire from the Government market altogether, for while the Government is the largest customer we have, nevertheless the percentage of goods bought compared to the purchases of other customers is but a small percentage of the whole.

Looking at this matter from the standpoint of the wage-earners, the greater portion of the goods purchased by the Government are made by men to whom wages are paid based upon work done either by the hour or by the piece. By limiting the time these men are employed each day their wage-earning power is thus curtailed, and we believe that if their wishes were consulted that the larger percentage of them would not be in favor of any limitation by law of opportunities to increase their earnings.

We further believe that this is true not only of the great army of wage-earners who owe no allegiance to any labor organization, but that it is likewise true of many of the members of the organization which is favorable to the enactment of this class of legislation.

We believe, as already stated, that it is utterly wrong for the Government to deprive citizens of the right to make the most of the opportunities offered them in their various callings. We believe that it is wrong for it to tie the hands of industry, whether it be those of the owners of our factories or those of the workmen employed therein.

We believe that each and every one should be allowed to make such contract with the other for the sale or hire of labor as conditions warrant, allowing each to make the most of those opportunities which have made this country the greatest, the most prosperous, and the best for both employers and employees.

The enactment of this law, as already stated, is only desired by not to exceed 10 per cent of the wage-earners of the United States; opposed to it is practically every business establishment of the country, say nothing of the great number of wage-earners.

[The Solvay Process Company, soda.]

Hon. EDWIN DENBY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

DETROIT, MICH., February 19, 1908.

DEAR SIR: Inclosed we hand you copy of telegram sent to Hon. John J. Gardner, chairman of the House Committee on Labor, protesting against the adoption of the eight-hour labor bill, H. R. 15651. We believe that the passage of such a law would place a handicap upon American manufacturers and indirectly prove an injury rather than a benefit to American labor.

We ask you to use your influence to have this bill defeated.
Very truly, yours,

THE SOLVAY PROCESS Co..

By J. D. SANDERS, Assistant Manager.

[Telegram.]

DETROIT, MICH., February 19, 1908.

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

Chairman House Committee on Labor, Washington, D. C.

We protest against the adoption of eight-hour labor bill, H. R. 15651, believing it detrimental to the interest of both employer and employee.

THE SOLVAY PROCESS Co.

[Telegram.]

PHILADELPHIA, PA., February 18, 1908.

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

Chairman House Committee on Labor, Washington, D. C.

We emphatically protest against the eight-hour bill under consideration, as it is destructive of American industries and should be defeated.

SCHAUM & Uhlinger.

[The Sims Company, steam user's supplies.]

Hon. ARTHUR L. BATES, M. C.,

Washington, D. C.

ERIE, PA., February 19, 1908.

DEAR SIR: We understand that a bill, to be known as the "Gardner eight-hour bill," is liable to come up in Congress, and we desire to enter our protest against any legislation that determines on an eight-hour day law.

It would be a very serious interference with the best interests of the manufacturers of the country and would undoubtedly be disastrous to the labor interests. We trust you will see your way clear to oppose any such measures, and oblige, Yours, very truly,

THE SIMS COMPANY, Per HENRY SIMS, President.

Mr. JOHN J. GARDNER,

[Syracuse Aluminum and Bronze Company.]

Chairman Committee on Labor,

SYRACUSE, N. Y., February 27, 1908.

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: Our attention has been called to bill introduced by you, H. R. 15651, and we have considered it very carefully.

We can not see any necessity for this law, and believe the present eight-hour law entirely sufficient; therefore we wish to be on record as opposed to H. R. 15651 and sincerely hope it will not get through the committee.

Yours, very truly,

SYRACUSE ALUMINUM AND BRONZE Co.
C. L. ACKERSON, Manager.

[Manufacturers and Employers' Association.]

TRENTON, N. J., March 27, 1908.

Hon. J. J. GARDNER,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: The Manufacturers and Employers' Association, of this city, very much desires to be placed upon record as being opposed to the passage of the eight-hour bill. Very respectfully,

A. E. MOON, Treasurer.

[The Taylor and Boggis Foundry Company.]

CLEVELAND, OHIO, February 29, 1908.

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

Chairman House Labor Committee,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: We desire to enter our protest against the passage of H. R. 15651. It will eventually work great hardship with the manufacturers of the country.

Cordially, yours,

R. H. BOGGIS, President.

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

[Twin City Foundrymen's Association.]

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., March 11, 1908.

Chairman House Committee on Labor, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: Inclosed please find a copy of the resolution passed by the Twin City Foundrymen's Association at their annual meeting held March 9.

There was a large attendance at this meeting, and among those present were representatives of some of the largest manufacturers in the State.

I believe this resolution expresses the unanimous sentiment of this community, and I was instructed to urge you to use every effort to defeat this bill, H. R. 15651. Thanking you in advance for your attention to our interests,

I remain,

RESOLUTION

H. A. ROGERS,

Secretary Tuin City Foundrymen's Association.

PASSED BY TWIN CITY FOUNDRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION MARCH 9, 1908.

Whereas there are now pending before Congress several labor bills, known as the "anti-injunction" and "eight-hour'' bills; and

Whereas the purpose of the so-called “anti-injunction bill" is to curtail the power of the court in issuing temporary writs of injunction in case of labor troubles; and Whereas the purpose of the so-called "eight-hour bill" is to further extend the provisions of the present eight-hour bill on all Government work; and

Whereas all such bills are, in the judgment of this association, inimical to the interests of the employers and employees of this country, and should such bills be enacted would work extreme hardship upon the industrial enterprises of this country:

Be it resolved, That we enter a most emphatic protest against the enactment of these bills and urge the Congressmen of this State to use their influence in defeating same. Be it further resolved, That copy of this resolution, together with a well written letter from this association accompanying same, be transmitted to both Senators and the Representatives of the House from the State of Minnesota.

[Tootle, Wheeler & Motter Mercantile Company, dry goods.]

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

ST. JOSEPH, Mo., February 24, 1908.

Chairman House Labor Committee, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: We desire to protest against the passage of the Gardner eight-hour bill, H. R. 15651. We think it would be very detrimental to the interests of all manufacturers as well as detrimental to the interests of laboring classes if this bill should pass and become a law.

We earnestly request that you use your influence against the passage of this bill. Yours, very truly,

TOOTLE, WHEELER & MOTTER MERCANTILE Co., By W. W. WHEELER, President.

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

[Triebel & Sons, monuments.]

PEORIA, ILL., March 7, 1908

Representative in Congress, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: We respectfully request that you use your influence to defeat House bill 15651. In our opinion if this bill is allowed to pass, it will work great injury to all employers of labor and will be an injustice to capable and honest workmen. It is not the industrious, honest workmen who are seeking such legislation, but worthless, lazy fellows, who want employers to furnish a living for them without any fair return of labor on their part. We could give numerous reasons for defeating this bill, but do not.desire to go into extended details unless necessary.

Respectfully, yours,

TRIEBEL & SONS.

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

[The Trenton Malleable Iron Company.]

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

TRENTON, N. J., March 9, 1908.

DEAR SIR: We understand that the eight-hour bill which is now before your committee is to be reported favorably. We herewith desire to enter our protest against the same, and would advise that the passage of this bill would be very detrimental to our business.

Trusting you will give this your consideration, we are,

Yours, very truly,

THE TRENTON MALLEABLE IRON CO.,
JAMES V. OLIPHANT, Secretary.

[Taylor, Stiles & Company.]

RIEGELSVILLE, N. J., February 20, 1908.

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

Chairman House Labor Committee,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: Regarding House bill 15651, which we understand is in the interest of an eight-hour day.

We wish to protest against this, as we regard it as extremely harmful not only to our interests, but to those of our employees.

Trusting you will see the justice of our position, and will not urge the passage of this bill, we remain,

Yours, very truly,

TAYLOR STILES & COMPANY,
HARRY W. GRIFFIN, Secretary.

[Thompson Brothers, engineers and machinists.]

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

PHILADELPHIA, PA., February 18, 1908.

Chairman House Committee on Labor, Washington, D. C. HONORED SIR: We wish to protest against H. R. bill 15651 being enacted into law. As an employer of labor for the last forty years right here in this one location, our aim has always been to have the best American mechanics we could get. We now run an open shop and pay by the hour. Our men in some trades work eight hours a day, some work ten hours. We find that to shorten the day spoils the workman. Those who have the shortest working hours are not improved thereby, either in their personal habits nor the quality or amount of their services. Such as do forge ahead do so in spite of the handicap put on them by this legalizing of the loafers' standards and no one ever did by shortening his day's work.

It is difficult now to get anything well done, and if this and other similar bills are made into law it will soon be more difficult to get anything done well or ill.

We sincerely hope that your committee will find sufficient good reasons for not reporting favorably on this bill.

Very truly, yours, etc.,

THOMPSON BROS.

[Taylor & Winn Construction Company, contractors and builders.]

Hon. J. J. GARDNER,

Washington, D. C.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., February 21, 1908.

DEAR SIR: We urgently request and hope that the bill 15651 in regard to eight-hour labor will not pass your committee with a favorable report. We think that this will be used as a wedge for more unfavorable legislation to the free use of American manhood and ambition. When you take away a man's ambition there is little left, and the unions of to-day are fast doing that very thing. We hope that you will not urge that bill.

Very truly, yours,

TAYLOR & WINN CONSTRUCTION CO., Per E. L. WINN, President.

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

[Trump Brothers Machine Company.]

Chairman House Committee on Labor,

WILMINGTON, DEL., February 19, 1908.

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: We desire to enter our emphatic protest against H. R. 15651, which we understand has been recently introduced.

Very truly, yours,

TRUMP BROS. MACHINE COMPANY, By GEO. R. HOFFECKER, Secretary.

[William R. Thropp, iron founder, boiler maker.]

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

TRENTON, N. J., March 9, 1908.

DEAR SIR: I understand that there is a bill before Congress for reducing the working hours to eight hours per day, and would like to say it would be very detrimental to my business, as our machines can only make so many turns per minute and we can not cut iron any faster, and you are reducing our time 20 per cent and our output to 20 per cent, which will make our machinery cost over 30 per cent more, as the nonproducer would only work the same; as we are shipping machinery into Canada and other foreign ports, it would be impossible for us to compete with our foreign competitors, as we have to pay now 30 to 35 per cent duty on our machinery going into Canada, where we have quite a large trade, and we are losing trade now with the higher wages that are being paid. If this bill goes through it will completely block us out of trade with our foreign competitors, and I hope you will consider our position in this matter, as it will be detrimental to our workmen as well as ourselves.

I remain, yours, respectfully,

WM. R. THROPP.

[Tacoma Mill Company, lumber and spars.]

TACOMA, WASH., March 18, 1908.

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

Chairman House Labor Committee, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: Referring to the eight-hour bill which is under consideration by your committee.

We are very much opposed to this measure becoming a law, as the saw milling industry throughout the United States is operated on the basis of ten hours for a day's work, and as long as this condition exists it would be impossible for us to change our operations to eight hours in order that we might be in position to bid upon the Government's lumber requirements, which form but a very small percentage of our entire business. It would mean that we would be restricted in competing for such business. As you will readily appreciate, we could not possibly continue operating in competition with other manufacturers in other commercial business should we undertake to operate eight hours per day, and other manufacturers ten hours per day. We hope the committee will disapprove the measure. Yours, very truly,

TACOMA MILL CO.,

CHAS. E. HILL, Resident Manager.

[Trimont Manufacturing Company, Trimo tools.]

Hon. JOHN J. GARDNER,

ROXBURY, MASS., March 24, 1908.

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Having in view the fact that the Gardner eight-hour bill, now before your committee, will cripple many manufacturing concerns that do work for the United States Government, and will prevent a large number of manufacturers from bidding on Government work, and will well-nigh, if not quite, destroy the shipbuilding industry of the United States, we wish to register our protest against the passage of that bill and to urge you to report against it.

Yours, truly,

TRIEONT MANUFACTURING CO.,
E. CHILDS, Superintendent.

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