Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-20

Labor Commissioner Matthews has re-
ceved report of the proceedings of the
National Association of Officials of Blu
reaus of Labor Statistics in the United
States, which was held at Albany, n Y.
last June.
AT that meeting Mr.. Matthews spoke
about the work Of the bureau in Maine:
Mr.. President:
The work of the bureau in Maine is of
an extremely practical character. We
have not the time nor the money at our
disposal to enable us to indulge in theo-
retical matters. AT the present time I
am engaged in an investigation of certai in
special industries that have not been re-
ported upon heretofore One IS our tam
merry Industry, another is our starch in
dustry. and another is the iron ship
building industry CT the State. We have
in Maine some 60 tanneres. and quite Il
number of them are large and important
establishments. In the starch industry
we have. in the single county OF Aroos-
took. some 50 establishments. which use
for their product about 800, 600 bushels
of potatoes. This potato starch is not
used for laundry purposes nor for food,
but is used for manufacturing purposes
in our mills and factories. Our ship
building plant is at Bath, under the di-
rection OF General Hyde. who has ;sc-
qured something of Il national reputa-
ton as a government contractor. Those
three industries are the special subjects
OF the present investigation. Beyond
that. / propose during the season to in
manufacturing interests-our woolen and
and Gotten industries. etc. At the same
time. | am very much interested in the
question that it has been proposed to
discuss at this convention. As | under
stand it. it is proposed to consider the
matter of municipal ownership OF water,
gas and electric light plants, and how
been announcer in my State that we pro-
pose to Investigate that matter, j find
that great interest is being taken in it.
1t is a difficult question. it seems to me.
theories 1t is a mere matter of fact
whether it is better that these branches
Of the service should be managed by the
+ have no theories whatever to advance.
hut desire and hope that we. can devise
some way of getting at the facts In re-
gard to this matter iii jndicious man.
her. without being controlled or in
t,uenced in advance by any theories, and
enter upon the investigation OF the sub
feet eandidly. honestly ana feariessiy.
i trust thai j may obtain some informa-
lion here as how that should be done
The matters that we are considering IN
connection with the work or our hufeau
are all practical questions.
Sur DISTINGUISHED president made a
s,,rrestion. today. In regard 70 the work
We accomplish with when NE WoriH - =
no familiar, and there has been some rel
.rance 10 employment agencies. can
eay rersonally. that there is hardly day
Sss. 81 ,hnt do not receive letter from
in my sn; ss whe s wo nsHs q peo
p's wh rai Msn in granite quarry Or
Something of the kind. ana naI h,,r De-,
enabled Without sny smploym worth n"r me'
,6,o secure NV wo own personal efforts. This
inr S good labor r outside nv Of fe she
ing: gentlemen, IS fhlsi pr .nai Useful
make our th ~, to the public. | have beer
sensssa our s sG the s prse s
PARE h T,sxssa in ass your asnss
heia since ans y w ss the s sn
s sure that these bureaus aeeompi's" ~