In 1916 the various unions of railway work ers, affiliated through the American Federation of Labor, made a concerted demand for eight hours at the same wages that were being paid for 10 hours, and threatened a general strike and tie-up of the railways of the entire United States unless their demands were acceded to. After some months of discussion, and endeavor to obtain settlement by arbitration, no agree ment was reached, and President Wilson held conferences with leaders on both sides. He finally succeeded in getting a promise from the unions that the strike would he declared off if Congress passed a law providing for an eight hour day, and a bill was hastily prepared and rushed through both houses with very little discussion, being passed by the Democrats, by a nearly strictly party vote. It was signed 3 Sept. 1916 by the President, but its constitu tionality was promptly challenged by the rail way interests. The law provides: (1) An eight-hour day from 1 Jan. 1917, by common carriers and railways, excepting street railways, short independent railways and interurban rail ways ; (2) a commission of three to be ap pointed to study conditions and report to the President ; (3) that, pending the report of the commission, it shall be unlawful for the rail ways to reduce wages because of the shortened hours, in other words, they shall pay the 10 hour price for the eight-hour day; (3) a fine of $100 to $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed a year or both are the penalties provided for violation. See LABOR LEGISLATION.
LAW, an act adopted in 1868 by the United States Congress, providing that in all government employment eight hours shall constitute a day's work. It originated in the agitation which had begun in England in 1833 by the proposition of eight hours as a legiti mate working day. The agitation spread itself among the industrial classes throughout the civilized world, and first bore fruit in Australia in 1856, where it was adopted by several trades. The National Labor Union of the United States demanded it in 1866, and it came into effect in the government navy yards in 1869, and shortly afterward in all departments of govern ment work. Its universal adoption, however, is still unrealized, and it is the source of persistent agitation among the labor organizations and parties throughout the United States, the Brit ish Empire and on the continent of Europe. Consult Rae, Hours for Work' (1894).
See EIGHT-HOUR DAY.