The San Francisco call., 1896-06-24
LABOR LAWS,
E. L. Fitzgerald Intends to
Remedy Many Existing
Labor Evils
Has Prepared Synopsis to Be- In
d0rSed by the State Labor
Unions.

Labor Commissioner f. L. Fitzgerald
has prepared to be introduced at the next
Legis ature series OF laws formulated for
the purpose of remedying and abolishing
many of the evils to which labor has been
subjected in the past and which, according
to the Com missioner's opinion, should be
speedily remedied.
In his letter to the labor unions of this
State Mr.. Fitzgerald states that it is his
desire that those directly interested in
this legislation should first peruse and
approve them, and if in their opinion any
changes should be made to suggest the
same to him that the laws may be abso-
lutelv correct and meet every demand,
thus saving further legislation on the
same ground. The laws EN- brace the fol-
lowing subjects:
Eight hours-Bond pl otecting labor on pu b.
lie work, bakeries, re-estabiishing labor bu-
reau and creating free employment system.
regulating employment agents, per diem on
public works, bakers hours, time-check system,
branding prison made goods, cost of suit upon
collection OF wages, collusion with employ
ment agents, employment of citizens of the
United States on public work, regulating lunch
hour, and boiler inspection.
In order to make the foregoing clearly under
stood will give brief synopsis of same:
Eight hours-Section 3245 of the Political
Code provides that eight hours shall cons titute
a days work. The statute is not definite and
is capable OF circumyeution by contract tors
who pay by the hour and is therefore in many
instances imperative, requiring an amend
ment to render its enforcement effective.
Bakeries-To pass uniform law requiring
cleanliness and TO insure purity in the manu-
factured product of this important industry.
Governmental Boards Awarding Contracts
To prohibit Boards of Supervisors, common
councils, boards, commissions, ETC., awarding
contracts to persons who have previously de-
| frauded laborers of their wages This practice
| is carried on to large extent in San Francisco
There being no lien on public work the laborer
many disastrous eSults
Bond Protecting Labor on Public Work-The
purpose OF this law is analogous to the forego-
ing and is framed with view of protec ting
the laborer where the foregoing, through mad
vertence, might be disregarded
Creating Bureaus-To re-establish the bure au
as a bureau OF labor, provide for free employ
me Mt offices, and to Introduce provisions facili-
tating the work where the present law is de-
fective and imperative
Regulating Employment Ofices-To place
those persons who traffic in labor under uni
form regulations, protecting the persons deal
ing with them, and making the said agents
amenaoie 10 law for the atrocities they have
so long practiceG.
Per diem on Public Works-Creating a mini
mum price which laboIers must be paid, in
suring II livelihood, and protecting honestem-
ployers against INSCRIPTIONS competitors.
Bak ers Hours-To establish uniform hours
for the persons engaged in this most arduous
toIi necessary sanitary regulation.
Time-check System-TO abolish the system
now in vogue throughout the State of deprlv-
ing laborers OF their pay for unreasonable
periods; to prevent the desperate condition 10
which laborers are forced through its opera
lon-one OF the greatest evils, requiring proper
legislation and enforcement
Identity OF Prtson-made Goods-Requiring
the branding of all goods made in the penal
institutions .of the State to distinguish the
same from the product of free labor.
Costs OF Suit-To allow the person who other
wise cannot collect money due for lab Dor per-
formed to sue for same to the extent of fifty
(S0Ol dollars without advancing costs of suit.
Collusion with employment agents-To pro-
hlb1t employers from contracting with en-
ployment agents to furnish labor and dividing
commissions paid by the latter.
employment OF citiZens-To prohibit the
employment of other tnan citizens of the
United States upon public work.
Lunch hour-To provide a reasonable time
Tor the midday meal obviating the evil of
labor In retail establishments being forced 10
visit lunch-counters and saloons for want of
time.
Boiler inspectors-To provide for the proper
conduct OF this important business as safe
guard TO life and property
Appended to the above. Mr.. Fitzgerald
states he considers every laboring man to
be directly interested by one or more of the
laws, and 1t is to his interest to see that the
same is passed as soon as possible.