Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-05-02
LAWS OF WISCONSIN.
Published April II, 1888. ]
CHA 9OTED 91O

AN ACT to create bureau of labor statistics.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented
III senate and assembly, do enact as follows.
Section |. The governor, with the advice and
consent of the senate, is hereby authorized and
dlreeted to appoint, as soon alter the passage of
this act as may be- and thereafter biennially, on
the first Monday in the month of February, suit
able person TO act as commissioner who shall
constitute bureau of labor statistics, with head
quarters at the capitol.
Section 9 The duties of such bureau shall be
to collect, assert systematic and present, in BIZ
ennial reports to the legislature on or before the
first day of February, once in every two years,
statistical details relating to all departments of
labor IN the state especially in its relations to the
commercial, industrial, social. educational and
sanitary condition of the laboring classes; to
visit and examine factories and all other estab-
hshmentS where people are employed at any kind
OF labor; and for this purpose the commissioner
shall have power to enter the same and examine
the methods of protection from accidents and the
means of escape from fire, and make record
thereof He shall see to it that all laws regulating
she employment of children, Minors and women,
and all laws established for the protection of the
health and the lives of operatives in workshops
and factories are enforced; and he shall have
power to prosecute offenders against the same in
any court of competent jurisdiction. He shall, in
his biennial report every two years, give an
account of all violations of the abOvenamed laws,
which he has observed, and his proceedings under
the same, together with such remarks suggestions
end recommendations as he may deem necessary.
Section 8. All employers of labor shall, upon
sequest, permit the commissioner of the bureau
% enter his factory or workshop and make to said
bureau on LABOR SlauSJlcS SQch reports ana returns
as the said bureau may require for the purpose of
compiling such labor statistics; such reports and
returns to be verified by the owner or business
manager OF such concern, and the said bureau
may, for such purpose prescribe blank forms,
which shall be furnished by the secretary of state
and every employer who shall refuse to permit the
commissioner of the bureau to enter his factory
or workshop, or who shall fail to make such re-
port or return within the time prescribed therefor,
shall forfeit the sum of ten dollars $50 for each
and every day the same shall be delayed. All
such Orieits shall be sued for in the name Of the
state of Wisconsin, and shall be paid into the
school fund. The biennial report of the commits
sioaer of labor statistics provided for by section
of this act, shall be printed and distributed in
the same manner and under the same regulations
the reports of the executive officers of the state
Section 4. The commissioner of the bureau
shall have power to issue subpoeneS, administer
paths and take testimony in all matters relating to
he duties herein required of said bureau, such
testimony to be taken in some suitable place in
the vicinity TO which such testimony is applicable
Witnesses SubpOenaed and teStiying before the
commissioner shall be paid the same fees as wit
neSSeS before circuit court, such payment to be
made from the contingent fund of the bureau.
Section B. The compensation of said bureau
shall be fifteen hundred dollars (S1500) annual
salary for the commissioner, and sum not
exceeding five hundred dollars $500 per annum
shall be allowed for his necessary travelling and
contingent expenses which shall include the
printing of reports and all other expenses con-
necfed with the bureau.
Section g. There is hereby annually appropri-
ate !, out OF any money in the treasury not other
wise appropriated, a sum sufficient TO carry out
the provisions of this act.
Section Z. This act shall take effect and be in
force from and after its passage and publication
Approved April 3, 1888.