The herald., 1897-01-04
IN The FIELD Of LABOR
Proposed Labor Legislation for
the State
CnME uMnnnTAAr Q.IJC
SOME IMPORTANT BILLS
State Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald
Endorses Them
The Ethics Of the Strike-Election OF Of
fcers In Different Unions-City and
General Labor News of Interest

General Labor News of Interest
The Council Of Labor and the different
unions of this citS bave been working
upon laws having reference to labor.
and limb laws. etc.
The California labor convention, rep
resenting over thirty trade unions of
the city and county Of San Francisco.
Berkeley and San Jose. held six sessions
and recommendations or amendments
to the proposed labor laws OF State La
Dor Commissioner Fitzgerald were
passed.
These laws will be introduced into the
legislature, which convenes this week.
and the probability is that many Of them
will pass. We note few Of the promi-
nent act@
An act to provide for the proper sani-
tary conditions of bakeries. hotels and
public restaurants. To carry out the
provisions Of this act the state labor
commissioner will appoint bakeshop in
spectors who will be practical Journey
men bakers. This is good law and Will
probably pass. The state of New York
has a similar one on its statute books,
and 1t is meeting with general approval.
The following acts We're approved,
with few amendments, by the conven-
ton:
An act to establish and support free
labor bureau.
An act to define the duties ana liabil-
tiles of employment agents.
An act finding the minimum rate Of
compensation on public work.
An act to prevent collusion between
employers of labor and employment of
agents.
An act to provide for the employment
of citizens of the United States upon
public work within the state.
An act to provide for the protection of
life and property against insecure boil
ers, and to establish system of inspec-
ton of steam boilers. and for licensing
engineers and boiler attendants.
An act providing for mechanics lien
law.
An act repeating the poll tax.
An act fixing the state labor day on the
first Monday in September, instead Of
the first Monday in October.
The above law should pass. as no at
tention has ever been paid by labor in
this state to the October day. Besides.
it is desirable that uniform day be
adopted throughout the United States
been settled upon by the government
and nearly all of the states.
An act to furnish all text books in
primary and grammar grades of the
public schools free to all pupils.
The labor commissioner, L. L. Fitz-
gerald, attended the meetings of this
convention and concurred in all the
mendments to the proposed laws. and
will give his assistance to further the
passage of the same through the legis-
lature.
series of resolutions was adopted by
the convention complimentary to Com
missioner Fitzgerald for the interest lie
has taken in compiling laws on the line
of industrial reform in this state.
The convention desires the people oe
California and the members of the legis-
iature to give these laws their approval
and Endorsement.
CITY LABOR NOTES.
The following are the newly elected
officers of the Electric Workers union:
George Dorner, president; j. Y. Darneu,
vice president; F. Messecar. recording
secretary; w. B. Kingston. financial
secretary: p. Buchanan, treasurer; Ben
Briggs, foreman; Thomas Stevens, in
spector: c. p. Iofthome, press secre-
tary.
The Clerks association had an inter
esting time at the last regular meeting.
On next Tuesday evening the amend
ments to the bylaws, for sick and
death benefit. will be voted on and the
installation of the following officers will
take place: A. u. Taft, president; Miss
M. M. Pulley vice president; Miss l..
Schwartz, second vice president; Miss
Freeman, recording secretary; A NJ
Green, financial secretary; Sol Levy,
treasurer; Miss Zoe Mccoy, guide; E. r.
Butler, guardian. The constant increase
nf 1adV m hare in fhiS n Inc ;A, te
a promising feature and augurs larg-
er addition to the ranks during the COM
ing year When patrOniZing stores, look
out for clerks wearing union badges.
The following delegates were elected
to the Los Angeles Council of Labor by
the Typographical union at its last meet
ing: Cyrene E. Fisk, F. B. Colver, j. ID.
Gilmer, VIM. Fl. Hawkins, Thomas w.
Calvert and Robert Hornbeck The fol-
lowing named gentlemen were initiated:
w. H. Spear, Max Matuskiwiz and John
d. de Frees.
The semi-annual nomination of offic-
ers will take place at the next meeting
of the Council of Labor on Wednesday
evening.
FUNERAL DELEGATION.
Following is the funeral delegation
of the Los Angeles Typographical union
No. ia for the month of January, 1897:
c. Stamps, F. w. c. Stowell, w. H. Sti-
vers, l.. G. A. Straube, w. b. Straube,
w. L. Scott, o. T. Thomas, ]. Fl. Train,
c. c. Traverse, John Walter, F. L. Wash
burn.
The state of trade continues dull in
many of the unions.
There are many more idle men in this
city than one year ago
II. V. Riffel, an old member of Typo
graphical union No. 174, left on Saturday
evening for Sacramento
Messrs. De Frees and Levy started for
Sacramento last Friday. They are men,
bers of the Typographical union.
Skilled laborers continue to walk our
streets, seeking employment and finding
none. Confidence is all that is needed" 3"
There are many applicants from the
ranks Of organized labor for positions i7
the gift of the new administration of
public affairs in our city.
1t is better to go ''a-f1shing" than
"slumming." AS a rule, better results
come from the former than the latter.
"Throw ont the lifeline" not for the