STREET RAILWAYS. We have obtained full and complete returns from all the cities in the State having street railways, save Kansas City. It will be seen from these that the men employed in operating these street railways work more hours per day, than do the men engaged in any other walk of life. One street railway employe in writing to this department about the matter of their long hours of work, says: "I think it is about time the Labor Bureau would try and help to shorten the hours of labor for the street car men of St. Louis, for they work longer hours than any other class of day laborers in the United States. It is very hard for us men to keep awake after night, couped up in front of a bobtail car about 2x4 feet, in all kinds of weather and exercise A married man hardly ever sees his family, when he gets up in the morning they are asleep, also when he turns in at night. Each driver has to work two hours every day he lays off for the company, without any compensation for it." It occurs to us, that there is but one thing to be done in the premises, and that is for the Legislature to enact a law, making it a misdemeanor for any owner or operator of a street railway, or for any builder or manufacturer, or other person employing skilled or other labor, to work his employes more than ten hours in twenty-four. This restriction might work a hardship in a few instances, but it is very doubtful. But if such a law were upon our statute books, these ceaseless complaints of "too many hours work per day," would be heard no more, and our working men, as well as their employers might spend at least some time with their families. |