Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-01-30
unIorrunsr.ly mere I. az nms, q anrn-,-

onIorrunstsiy tnsre Is at times 9 ssPO-i-
ton to father the assumption that the en-
ployer Is jealousy opposed TO any regulations
that aim 10 secure additional comfort and
convenience TO the employed. My experience
with our business meu and manufacturers
leads me TO believe that this suppositon Is
erroneous and generally finds birth In the
ready Imagination of paid agitators. The at
titude OF our manufacturers toward labor
,islation is strongly influenced by the fear
= hey may be hampered in their efforts 20
'."pets with other communities; hence while
.'curing to the lsborer all tho protection aud
privilege righteous law Can bring, our en-
deaVors should be guided by a care that We do
not place the employers at a disad vantage
with those OF other States and iJrce them 10
seek helds for their capital where restrictions
are less severe.
am In accord with the endeavors IN s.cnra
for labor by the shortening of hours OF toll
larger share OF the advantages arising from
labor saving machinery and improved methods
OF production. IL we can maintain protection
against the unfair competition OF poorly paid
foreign labor, IL is not impossible that com
bined action among the manufacturing States
would procure tho reduction OF the laborinR
oay 10 eight hours or less. The greatest bens-
nj we can confer Of present upon the working
man Is TO open up avenues of employment by
the expenditure OF public money in ne cessary
improvements.
%N' hpiN sfilphH loNhl ultnhle 10 our IN
dustrial prosperity can be found than the dis
turssnce and doprivatlons frequently arising
from strikes and lOckouts, an example OF
which we have experienced during the latter
part OF the year just closed. The dise greeab.e
results from the interrupung and unsettling
OF business relations were not confined 10 the
parties primarilyhnvolved, but were distriD-
uted over a wide area among individuals aud
Interests remotely, If az all, Responsible for
the controversy. surely II the state has any
obligation TO fulfill towards its citizens, it lies
In the direction Of the promotion and main
tenanoe of industrial peace. In other words
the State should provide an arrangement
through which either one OF the parties in an
Industrial dispute could require the ,nteryou-
tion OF an official board Of arbitration Il may
be asserted that IL would be impossible to ouuI-
pei obedience 20 the decision OF such tn-
bunal, but the experience OF communities IN
which this has been tried clearly indicates
that public opinion Is the strongest compulsory
force.
The seventh annual report Of the Commits
sioner of Industrial Statistics will contain
valuable Information. Among the subjects
reviewed will be the sanitary ooDdition Of the
textile manufacturing establishments with
the number employed, home conditions and
rate OF wages or members Of organized trade
unions, and variety OF other useful stntis-
ties. IL will be necessary for you TO take some
action towards authorizing preliminary ar
next year.
again call your attention 10 the recommen-
dations Of the former Commissioner that the
age under which no child should be employed
In any factory, workshop or mercantile estaD-
lishment be placed at thirteen. Investigation
seems TO show that the responsibility for The
violation OF the child labor law may bs traced
more generally to the parents than 10 the EN-
ploysr. II am correctly informed there is a
steady accession To our State Of families drawn
hither by the fact that children can be put To
work here at All earlier age than In nei4hbor-
ing States. IL it Is your wisdom 10 enact any
legislation touo ~ this patter IL would seem
desirable that II should embrace the mploy-
ment Of state truant officers acting under the
direction OF the Board of Education.
Labor Day was observed In this state to a
gratifying degree for the the first time last
year and will undoubtedly become n most pop.
ulAr holiday. l see no reason why IL should
not be made full legal holiday ana receive
that recognition which would result from
making notes and commercial papers due on
that day payable the day following In fact,
believe that II will be well to apply that rule
10 payments due ON Sunday and oil other
i-s.l holihass