Page:Walter Renton Ingalls - Current Economic Affairs (1924).pdf/31



Much discussion bas centered upon the hours of work by wage earners. In the United States there has been a general reduction of weekly working time during the last 10 years, and many industries have been put upon the basis of eight hours per day, although this is still far from being universal. Recently there has been a strong and successful movement for the abolition of the 12-hour day which still prevailed, to a relatively small extent, in continuous industry. In Europe, under the inspiration of the League of Nations and idealistic or socialistic principles, the work-day of eight-hours has been made statutory in many countries. There has been, and continues, therefore a common movement to escape the confinement of working for employers and come into greater enjoyment of the luxury of leisure, although indeed there are many instances of men who want to work more in order to earn more.

It may be idealistic that man should be required to work only eight-hours per day, or only six hours, or not at all, so that he may have much time for enjoyment and culture, devotion to his family, the cultivation of home gardens, etc. There is room for voluminous discussion upon this subject. Psychologists may point out that the majority of men are incapable of cultural development, either now or ever. Biologists may suggest that ease in life promotes the multiplication of the unfit and