The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-18
CARROLL D. WRIGHT.
politics. 1t is q pleasure to know that this
is recognized by men of all parties. II has

politics. 1t is pleasure to know that this
is recognized by men Of all parties. Tt has
been my fortune to be at the head Of this
department since it's organization, and I
am glad to say that never, under either a
democratic or republican administration,
have been asked to do anything OF po-
litical nature. nor has there been sugqes-
tion rs to the character OF our work that
could have n bearing in that direction,
This is as it should be, for it 10 clear to me
that departure from this rule would result
in a serious impairment of it's usefulness,
We are not noisy. We do our work qui-
city and what is accomplished appears in
the annual reports. Four volumes have
been issued and the fifth is now in the
hands of the printers. Each year is de-
voted to q particular line OF inquiry. In
this way much better results are attained
than would be possible if it were attempted
in each report to cover the entire field. In
such a case the report would necessarily
be meager, fragmentary and unsatisfau-
tory.
Our first volume, issued in 1886, covered
the subject of Industrial depressions at
home and abroad. We employed special
agents in all parts Of our own country, AZ
we'll as in the principal countries of Europe.
A vast amount Of information was collected
bearing upon thia subject in all its phases.
to render them intelligible to the reader.
Convict labor was the topic Of tho second
report. In this were included all penal
institutions the inmates of which were
employed in productive industry. Careful
inquiries were made into the convict
system of every state in the union.
and also of foreign countries. 1t is
needless to say that the volume contains
much food for thought. The third
volume relates to strikes and lockouta
in the United States during the six years
prior to 1887. Our inquiry was with especial
reference to the causes and effects OF these
disturbances and the resultant gains and
losses. The volume contains also codifi-
cation of our national and state laws boar
ing upon this subject. The fourth report
is one of peculiar interest and Importance
working women iD twsnty-one of our prin-
opal cities-their occupations, wages,
moral character ard modes of living. IL
is devoted specifically to women who ara
employed in shops and manufactures.
We expect to further pnrsue this sub
those who ply the needle, domestic servants
and other Glasses of women who earn
their bread. Volume five, which 10 now
nearly ready for distribution, is upon rail-
road labor. We have been ut great pains to
gather the material for this report, and
hearty corporation of organizations of
railway employees and of the companies.
As an illustration may cite the fact thar
several of the latter sent US their pay-rolla.
so that we might have the exact truth AZ
to the wages paid all classes Of men. This
volume will be ready for distribution in
January.
All these volumes are of great and in
crsasing value. The demand for them CON-
tinues without abatement, We have been
comuelied to issue four editions Of the first
and three of tho second. The supply of the
latter volume il exhausted and new issues
viii be necessary. Congress apprsciates
the advantages of having these books in the
hands of the people and is generous in its
appropriations for this purpose. II IL
money we'll expended, for the books go
directly to those who need and value them.
They are not thrown away By scattering
them broadcast, but any volume 10 sent
without cost to person requesting II. Not
less than two hundred Thousand Of these
reports have been distributed. and the
greater part of them have gone directly TO
the working people of the county.
BY system of exchange ~ receive re-
ports on similar subjects from foreign
countries. Those issued by this depart
mont are favcrably reviewed and CeRs-