Ellis v. United States (1907)

Ellis v. United States, 206 U.S. 246 (1907), was a United States Supreme Court case concerning the application of the Eight-Hour Law of 1892 to laborers and mechanics employed on public works. The central question before the Court was whether certain individuals employed on a naval dry dock being constructed by the United States fell under the protective provisions of the Eight-Hour Law.

The Eight-Hour Law of 1892 generally mandated that laborers and mechanics employed by the United States government, or by any contractor or subcontractor upon public works of the United States, should not be required or permitted to work more than eight hours in any one calendar day.

The specific employees at issue in Ellis were those working on dredges and scows that were excavating material for the dry dock. The government argued that these employees were not directly engaged in the construction of the dry dock itself, but rather were involved in preliminary or ancillary work.

The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the employees working on the dredges and scows were covered by the Eight-Hour Law. The Court reasoned that their work was essential to the overall construction of the dry dock. The dredging and excavation were integral parts of the project and not merely preparatory activities. The Court emphasized a practical and functional view, stating that the law should be interpreted in a way that gives effect to its intended purpose, which was to protect laborers and mechanics working on government projects.

The Ellis decision clarified the scope of the Eight-Hour Law and established a precedent for interpreting similar labor regulations in a manner that considers the practical realities of the work being performed. It broadened the application of the law to include those whose work, although not directly on the final structure, was nonetheless integral to its construction.