A SIX HOUR LAW. 261 



other States the advantage of having their goods cost less, and 

 thus be able to undersell us." Page 152. 



A paper manufacturer says : 



( a ) "If ten or more hours is the legal day's work in our 

 neighboring States, Massachusetts should not fix a less num- 

 ber." Page 153. 



A manufacturer of rubber goods writes : 



(a) "If Massachusetts is to compete successfully with other 

 States and foreign countries in the manufacture of various fab- 

 rics, restrictions upon the hours of daily labor must all be re- 

 moved, till all other States and countries adopt the same.'' 

 Page 154. 



A producer of straw goods replies : 



( a ) " A reduction in the hours of labor in our business would 

 be decidedly against us, as the competition would be large 

 against us from other States." Page 155. 



The statements of eight textile manufacturers are 

 as follows : 



(6) "Unless we are allowed to run our machinery the same 

 number of hours per day as manufacturers in other States, I do 

 not see how it will be possible for us to compete with them. . . 

 ... If the hours of labor in this State are reduced still lower 

 than in other States, it must compel manufacturers to reduce 

 wages, run at a loss, or to shut down." Page 156. 



( c ) " Manufacturers in this State can not pay higher wages 

 for the hours of actual work than are paid by their competitors 

 in other States ; and a reduction of hours, at the same wages 

 per hour, would increase the cost of goods." Page 157. 



(d) "Such a reduction would tend to throw the develop- 

 ment of our industry into other States, which are now more fa- 

 vorably situated than we are, both by location and legal enact- 

 ments for its operation." Page 157. 



