The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-12-22
Labor SIniiSIIcS.

Yesterdays Cincinnati Gn=sDe contains
special dispatch from Columbus giving
the report OF the Commissioner OF Labor
Statistics to the Governor Of Ohio. The
dispatch says that it Is the best document
emanating from that department since its
establishment. 1t enters at length into
An exposition OF the condition Of labor
throughout the State, and the author sets
forth his views on various topics in re-
iation thereto, without regard to space.
The report says that returns have been
received from most Of the industries OF
the State, and are sufficiently complete
to show the average condition OF the
workingmen, and to convince the most
skeptical that privatiOns and actual sui.
fering have invaded the homes Of many
who in the past have enjoyed all the
necerSaries and some OF the comforts OF
modern life.
A complete exposition and denuncia-
tion of the "truck" system OF paying EN-
ployes is given, and the attention Of the
Legislature ia especially called to this
system.
On the question Of prison labor the
report shows that the State is at great
disadvantage and loss by the contract sys-
ten, because contractors only pay seventy
cents per day for labor which on the
outside would cost on an average from
81 2j to S3l5 per. day, besides which the
contractor has no capital invested in
shops, and no insurance or taxes TO pay.
The report recommends that all goods be
manufactured by the State and sold 10
the highest bidder, which it ia claimed
would pay the State, and remove COM
plants OF unjust competition.
The report gives facts as 10 coal mines
blast furnaces and rolling mills. The
average wages of miners, M given by EN-
plOyeH, ia 80 G7 per week.
a strong plea il made in favor Of arbi
tratiOn AZ a means Of settling drfIicultic,
between capita! and labor.
Cooperation, the report claims, mus
be the next step in the advancement o.
labor, and notice il taken OF the fact, that
there is no law for the organization o
co.operativc manuiactu ring associations
Mr.. Walls claims that the reason Of the
frequent failure Of cooperation in thil
country il because Of the lack Of harmo.
ny between the various nationaIities. Ii
England, where everybody i. English, co
operation ia more successful.
The total number of employees is givel
al 22,33G, which are classified into th
several industries, and the several wage
given.
The following recommendations ar
made:
ii. That law he passed, with prope
penalties to peCure liz enforcement, tha
the wages Of labor shall l'e paid In lega
tender money Of the United States, ant
that in suils at law for wnges, no pay
ment other than In such legal tendc
money shall he allowed M n Ret-oi
against such claim.
g, That the contracting Of tho labor o
prisoners in the penal and reiormator,
Institutions Of tho State be prohibited
from and after the expiration Of presen
contracts.
8. That law he passed authorizin,
the reaction Of cooperative asAociation
ior manufacturing purpoScS.
4. That penalty for violation be nj
tnChed TO the provisions Of all mandatory
laws, especial y the laws bearing on cor
porationa AMI tho laws already on Ii,
statute books intended for the protection
Of The working classes.
4. That the law Of appeals, the "siay'
RW, he 40 amended thai Judgments givet
iOr wagea Of labor shall he paid within
one week from date Of Judgment.