The gas stokers of London say they are oppressed, and
seem to have a very good case indeed. They allege that they are compelled to work twelve hours a day, for seven days in the week, before -huge fires, under a temperature which often rises to 180 degrees. They are constantly taken away fainting, and " last week, at the Fulham Works, so many men were taken away exhausted that there were not enough left to make up the gang necessary to carry on the work." The men ask for a reduction to eight hours a day, but will probably get ten hours ; and exemption from Sunday labour, which will be done by a separate relay. With great good sense they propose, instead of striking, to appeal first to the Direc- tors, and then to the Shareholders, for more merciful treatment, a display of moderation none the less meritorious because striking would be of no use. The directors could fill their places in three hours from the docks alone, but that does not give them a right to use up Englishmen like Cuban planters. No liver can stand twelve hours a day of hard work in a temperature over 1000.
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