The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-20
SWEATERS MUST 60.


Measures to Drive Them ONT of England
Labor Reforms.
LONDON. April 20.-The Times this
morning gives full abstract of the rec
concentrations compiled by the Duke of
Devonshire the basis of the report OF
the labor commission which is certain to
be adopted by the house of commons.
THE recommendations conclude with
the statement that il would be unwise to
institute any general system of indus
trial tribunals, but that there might be
some advantage in empowering the
crown and county councils to establish
them tentatively without directly APP
pointing the members
Any court of this kind duly organized
would have statutory powers; similar to
county courts. These tribunals would
only deal with disputes arising out of
existing agreements or trade customs.
With regard to the more serious disputes
affecting large bodies the commissioners
think it would do more good than harm
to establish wards with legal powers.
The commission can not recommend
the direct establishment of boards of
Cancellation and arbitration by the state,
ing means to procure and circulate in
formation may do much by advice and
assistance to promote their more rapid
and universal establishment
The report next deals with the appoint
ment of official arbitrators- The COM
nISSlOn0ES LINK IQdL the Q1ulCu1LY often
experienced in finding a suitable arbi-
traitor nigh. be got over by giving pub
lie department power to appoint an
bitrator to act alone or in conjunctio
with others. If the same persons were
frequently appointed they would become
arbitration experts fairly free from sus-
picion of bias. Their expenses should
be paid by the treasury. If this system
succeeded it might eventually be given
a permanent basis, with perhaps power
to summon witnesses and examine them
on oath.
The commissioners consider that it
would be no advantage to institute
special labor department, but they advo-
cate government inquiry with view
to remedying the existing fusion in the
administration of the various acts deal
ing with sanitation, the hours of labor
for women, etc.
The second part of tie report deals
with the question of hours and wages at
great length and detail The commits
sioners1 express themselves generally as
against state interference, except in the
cases of women and children and I'M
healthy occupation They are decidedly
of the opinion that no special Legislation
is necessary for miners, who they say,
appear to be able to take care of them
selves in such matters.
With reference to the non-unionist
labor the comm issionerS think it impos-
sible to legislatively remove the causes
of these serious conflicts that have oc-
Cured in recent years in the less skilled
and organized trades. They hold that
non-unionist workmen should be pro-
tected as far as possible by the public
authorities, and that individual liberty
for the masters to employ and the men
to serve whom they please should be
maintained.
The report mentions the absence of a
clear legal definition of intimidation and
picketing. 1t urges that strong measures
be taken for the improvement or gradual
extinction of the lowest class of sweating
factories, which the commissioners say
demoralize working people and the COM
munity and compete unfairly with the
larger properly conducted factories.
Such a reform might cause temporary
distress and might drive some minor in
dustries out of the country; but the coun-
try could we'll spare them, since they
would no longer tempt the immigration
of class of persons who are unable to
get employment in well conducted estab-
liShmentS.