Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-02
THE VALUE OF LABOR STATS
TICS.

TICS.
West Virginia would do well to fall
i'm with the movement i'll other States
for the establishment Of what is termed
a estate Board of Labor Statistics.
These bureaus are doing very much
toward solving the labor problems, and
in population so largely composed OF
laboring men, manufacturers, me-
chanics and farmers, rs We have in this
State, the information derived from
snch board, would aid the legislature
and various public institutions OF the
State in framing measures for relief and
the advancement oithe various lines
OF industry.
1t is well understood that one OF the
grandest difficulties always encountered
in the treatment OF these labor questions
has been and is, the lack OF accurate and
well classified information as to the con-
dition OF the laboring classes and the
workings OF the various industrial sys-
TENS. How we'll this was illustrated in
our last Legislature is only known to
those who were present upon Its ses-
sions. There was Il very thorough con-
viction pervading the body that the con-
dition OF the laboring man was not pros
porous, and that it devolved upon the
Legislature to provide the remedy.
There were no statistics to draw upon.
There were no facts that had been gath
cred upon any special topic. There was
no common source OF information from
which the members could draw, and
form definite conclusions whereby
to reach practical results. Each
law maker had his complaint and his
hobby, which had grown out of ills pc
culiar to his individual experience, and
the remedy he proposed was also indi-
vidual in its character and unSuited to
the wants OF any class OF men.
The consequence was that their was
no possible chance of intelligent legisla-
ton, or even an agreement as to the
evils TO be remedied. The nearest ap-
proach they made to any conclusion,
after three months OF wrangling, was
that the lawyers were responsible
for all the ills flesh is heir to
Now, if we had q State Board OF prac-
teal and experienced men, whose duty
it should be to collect, assert, system
attic and present to the Legislature in
printed report, statistical details relat
ing to all departments OF labor in the
State, comprising matters relating to the
industrial, social, educational and SAM
tary condition of the laboring classes,
rs well rs to the prosperity OF the me-
chanical and productive industry OF the
State, there can he no question but that
with the information thus derived, the
interests Of all classes of our population
would he enhanced and the State adj
vanccd to a higher prosperity.
1t is we'll known that such Board in
Massachusetts, has been very efficient in
collecting facts that have been proiita-
bic not only to that State but the whole
country. From the tables thus furn-
iShed the condition Of the laboring pop
ulation Of that State can he determined
at any period. When prices were low, or
when they were high, the rates OF wages
i'm all kinds of occupations, the tluctua-
tons in the price OF provisions and
the cost of living, afforded an ac-
curatc and instructive comparison OF
the real condition OF the working classes
at different periods and in various de-
grccs Of the Country's prosperity.
The press of the whole country has
been accustomed to quote from these
statistics furnished by Massachusetts,
and with profit. Other States have
taken up the method, and it will not be
long until all these labor problems are
within the grasp OF single mind and
can be handled intelligently. Let West
Virginia fall in line and help to solve
the problem tor herself and the country.