no ASSOCIATION OF IRON, STEEL AND TIN WORKERS [242 



increases the output, and in consequence of that fact de- 

 creases the cost of production " ; that " to the men it gives 

 assurance of sufficient time to rest and think, while under 

 the present conditions all they can do is eat, sleep, and 

 work " ;^'' and finally, that it is the only means to maintain 

 the wage rate, since manufacturers, in requesting a reduc- 

 tion, invariably point to the large output of certain mills 

 and the large earnings of the workmen. The manufac- 

 turers, moreover, although they have in conference ex- 

 pressed a willingness to give the three-turn system a trial, 

 as a body are not favorably disposed toward its introduc- 

 tion, because of alleged increased cost of production. The 

 union feels disinclined to force it on employers for fear of 

 " squeezing out " the high cost mills. 



Sheet and Tin Plate Mills. — The sheet and tin-plate de- 

 partments alone have the universal three-turn system, or 

 the eight-hour day. As early as 1885, sheet mills were 

 allowed to work three shifts of eight hours, providing the 

 crews did not exceed the specified limit of output. This, 

 however, was not conceded by the union without some oppo- 

 sition.^' The objections which the union offered to the 

 introduction of the triple-turn were, principally, (a) over- 

 production, and (b) the admission of too many workmen 

 into the trade, causing ultimate slackness of employment^® 

 and reduction in wages. The manufacturers, on the other 

 hand, jointed out the waste of keeping the furnaces hot 

 between turns, and the necessity of continuous and uniform 

 output in order to keep the rolls in proper working condi- 

 tion. The logic of their arguments was compelling; and 

 within a few years the system of three turns for sheet mills 

 was generally conceded. The eight-hour turn was pecu- 



"■' Proceedings. 1907, p. 7998. 



'^For examples, see Proceedings, 1880, pp. 458-459; 1883, p. 1171; 

 1885. p. 1547- 



1* In 1898 ex-President Garland, in his report to the convention, 

 stated that three-fourths of the memhers of the union were working 

 on the ei^ht-hour system ; and that the workmen who were employed 

 eight hours per day averaged more days' work per year than those 

 working the longer shifts (Proceedings, 1898, p. 5418). 



