The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-01-08

pany whose annual statement showed assets
sufficient to reinsure Its outstanding risks,
though the showing might he Of question.
able character. He was, therefore, powerless
to protect the people from the possible insol-
vency OF any company, without rendering
himself liable to the charge of making tnvid-
ious distinctions.
These are only part of the embarrassments
of the superintendent, caused by the legisla-
tion referred to above. i would, therefore,
recommend to your favorable consideration
such legislation as you may find necessary to
give the superintendent such facilities as
will, under proper restrictions, enable him to
make the department the efficient instru-
ment for good TO the people 1t Is designed to
be.
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
The year of 1879 will be memorable one in
the history of the industries OF the State, and
especially in those industries directly con-
nected with the manufacture of iron. The
beginning Of the year found numerous blast
furnaces, rolling mills foundr es and mines
closed, and many OF those In operation not
running TO their full capacity or on full time;
and nearly every other industry was affected
inJuriously to greater or lesser extent.
Many men were out of employment, and the
so-called "tramps" were so numerous that the
General Assembly, in Its wisdom, sought to
suppress the eXcesses charged against this
large body of idle men by the enactment Of
strong repressive legislation,
The close of the year finds the number of
furnaces, mills, mines and foundries In opera
tiOn largely Increased; those in operation
worked to their full capacity; men more stead
lily employed, and their number increased to
such an extent that the vast majority Of those
who for five years, have been denounced as
"tramps"-as men who preferred to beg or
steal rather than work have secured employ
ment, have become producers as well as con-
sumers, and their sudden and willing absorp-
tion into the ranks of the workers Is the best
possible answer to the wholesale denunca-
mo M inn In,
search of employment. A demand for their
labor has done that which legislation never
could have accomplished.
The Commissioner, in each his reports,
has endeavored to clearly show, by history
and argument, how the danger and loss from
strikes might be averted and how peace and
good will could be secured and maintained
between the employer and employe.
Every manufacturing nation, both in the
past and at the present time, has been
troubled with strikes; and the most
stringent legislation, under monarchial gov
ernments, has failed to prevent them, until
other means have been sought and applied.
Boards OF arbitration and conciliation are
simple, inexpensive and complete plan by
which labor troubles may be avoided to the
benefit of employer and empoye, as well as
the great consuming public, which is, at
times, great sutfererSirom Strikes" over
which it In no manner exercises any control.
There are certain prejudices that must be
overcome before the plan of amicable adjust
ment Will be generally adopted, Legislation
can only aid in bringing about this certain
ly more desirable system of preventing
"strikes," by making such settlements legally
binding upon both parties when voluntarily
entered into by both.
Further legislation on the subject of pay
ment of wages in scrip or orders is be ieved to
be unnecessary. The present laws, il en-
forced, are sufficient to destroy the evil with
out in any manner injuring or interfering
with any industry.
The passage of law to prevent the employ
ment of persons to run stationary engines
who are thoroughly competent by age, train
ing and experience, might be highly proper,
inasmuch as the large number of workmen
employed in factories and shops where steam
poweris used, have their lives in great hazard
from this cause.