St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-13
Eebrrnry Events.
A VALUABLE REPORT.
Labor Commissioners Powers Ac-
count OF His Stewardship
Reviewed.
Complete and Exhaustive Discus
sion Of Questions Vital to
the State.

The third biennial report of the bu-
reau of labor statistics was issued in
book form the past week. It is a vol
ulne of respectable size, we'll printed
and bearing all the earmarks of care
full supervision. 1t could not we'll be
otherwise with such an expert in the
typographical art as Factory Inspector
Frank j. Casserly looking after that
special part of the work.
The report in detail completely covers
all the ground, and, as a whole, it will
take high rank among the very best of
such reports. The various subjects
considered are appropriately grouped
under different headings. preceded by
well-written and thoroughly readable
introduction, which reviews the func-
tionS of such bureau, touches on the
matter Of confidential communications
and the disposal Of papers after they
have been used, argues the necessity
and enforcement Of factory inspection,
also inspection of railways by an expert
in that line. and strongly advocates the
establishment Of free employment
agencies. Into this introduction there
Is woven so much of valuable informa-
ton. pertinent suggestion. logical de-
duction from the experience OF the
world, really useful suggestion and
profitable hints for wise action that it is
a report in itself.
Following the Introduction, all the
ramificatiOnS Of the subject of factory
inspection are sifted, analysed and COM
mented on with a knowledge of the
subject that makes this part of the re-
port the most satisfying kind of reading.
even to one not deeply interested. In
chapter l protection to human life IS
treated of; chapter Q consists Of the
best statistics Obtainable from all
counties in the state where factories
exist; chapter 3 touches the subject Of
accidents, their prevention, and sum-
mary by counties; chapter treats of
| the financial loss to w0rkemn by &C
cidents, and the equities Of any given
case are written of at length.
Part Q. goes eXhauStively into the
subject of inventions in fiour-making
machinery and the prices Of wheat,
/ -four. etc.
Part 8. takes up the matter Of trade
unions, their origin, organization and
history Every known branch or pos
sible bearing of the subject on the social
problems of our time are gone into in
detail. Argument, explanation. figures:
effects of competition, combination, cen
traliZation, industrial and life insurance
as affecting different trades and condi-
tons, all are here massed intelligently
and in extenso, SO that the reader may
know all there is TO be learned in this
matter outside of personal experience.
Part 4. is devoted to mortgage fore
closures and redemptions and land
values in Minnesota in the years 1881
and 1891. No point is overlooked, even
in so wide a field, and the information
given is worthy not only of close study.
out of careful preservation. 1t is sur
prising, considering the limited re-
sources of the bureau, what has been
accomplished in the past two years.
Commissioner Powers, Clerk Evans,
Deputy Valesh and Factory Inspector
Casserly all deserve commentator for
this really valuable addition TO the
economic literature of Minnesota. 1t is
a gem in its preparation, arrangement,
technical execution and general fitness
to give the public the information it
must have for proper understanding
of the subjects treated.