THE FIVE-DAY WEEK

economic conditions, but believe that such reductions as are
contemplated should be accomplished gradually and without
disturbing the economic balance. They recognize that such
factors as technical processes and competition are determining
 issues, and are satisfied that, apart from exceptional
cases, working periods today are not so long as generally to
constitute a menace to health. But they also recognize as
plausible, if not actually proved, the argument that the intensity
 and concentration of effort demanded by modern
industrial operation may cause greater mental, if not greater
physical, fatigue than formerly, and that this factor should
be taken into account in deciding upon working schedules.
A new phase of the hours of work question has been
reached with the definite advent of the five-day week schedule
 in some industrial establishments, including a few of outstanding
 importance. The progress of the adoption of the
five-day week in industry will be followed closely both by
advocates of fewer hours of work and by employers who may
see it either as an answer to certain vexing administrative
problems or as a source of new problems.