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change would occur. In some respects the foreign trade of the country would be changed, but not in the aggregate, while the permanent results are likely to be a lowered rate of interest, a more intelligent body of workers, and a higher taste in buying, resulting in many changes in demand.
One more question remains to be considered, and that is the best way to secure the shorter day. Three methods are open to the advocates of shorter hours : legislative statute, trade-union action, and voluntary act of employers. Any bill providing for shorter hours must be strictly mandatory and make no excep- tions. The conditions of overtime must be defined and the law rigidly enforced. Its constitutionality virtually limits such action to public works and to contract factories. Shorter hours by legislation serves as an example on the part of the state or fed- eral authorities, but where attained outside of government circles by legislation the trade unions are often not strong enough to maintain the hours at the old wages. The shorter days can be an abiding possession (where not granted by the voluntary action of employers) only when maintained by public opinion and strong trade-union organization. It would be far better, however, if the shorter day could be secured gradually, through the volun- tary acts of employers. The eight-hour day attained in this way is a reasonable request that, from the point of view of selfish interest, employers would do well to grant. Give labor a gen- eration more in the organization of the workers, and great changes will be wrought that will produce marked results in the owner- ship, direction, and management of industry. Reasonable requests granted now will make the transition less difficult and severe.
The eight-hour day will promote contentment and cheerful- ness among the working people of the world. The economic value of this change is yet to be appreciated, but there can be no doubt of its great productive power when applied to industry. Under its influence the old rate of daily production will be main- tained, with little or no effect in the long run upon wages, profits, the unemployed, and foreign commerce.
FRANK L. McVEY.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.
