260 LAND AND LABOR. 



home consumption ; and even that but incidentally ; 

 neither of which being assigned a place among the 

 reasons for a reduction to six hours. 



The one great and controlling reason for shortening 

 the hours of labor is, that the number of persons who 

 are now employed may be doubled, either by working 

 two sets of hands or by the building of new mills ; the 

 additional number who are given employment to be 

 taken out of the ranks of those who are now idle, or 

 but partially employed, tfcat double the number of 

 workmen and women may enter into the receipt of 

 wages, and thus increase the number of consumers, 

 the amount of consumption, and demand for addi- 

 tional production. These are the things sought for. 

 But more of this farther on, first taking up some other 

 matters. 



Therefore the next proposition to consider is that 

 of the necessity of national action. Upon this point 

 the following testimony is also taken from the Tenth 

 Annual Report, 1879. A furniture manufacturer, in 

 answer to the circular of inquiries from the Chief of 

 the Bureau, touching the hours of labor, writes : - 



" The reduction of the hours of labor, in our branch of indus- 

 try, would meet our approval provided the reduction should at 

 the same time extend throughout the country. "We think it 

 would be for the interest of all, both employer and employe*, 

 inasmuch as it would give employment to a larger number to 

 do the same work, and, by so doing, give a greater circulation 

 to capital. The goods would cost more to make ; but the em- 

 ploye*, being at work, would spend his wages freely, as is the 

 case wjth most laboring men, and, by this cause business to re- 

 vive. Our wish is to reduce the hours of labor, but not in this 

 State alone, for, in so doing it would give the manufacturers in 



