Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-07-07
KANSAS LABOR REPORT.
Commissioner johnson Gives Intereating
Figures Concerning wAgOS--Prohlbltory
Law Chased as barrier to Buslneaa.

TOPEKA, Kan, July 1.--State Labor
Commissioner johnson has completed
the compilation of statistics gathered
from manufacturing industries of va
rious kinds in the state. The average
wages paid by each class of industries
are given, opinions on the convict la
Dor question are expressed and laws
beneficial to each are suggested. In
about 90 per cent, of the cases the pro-
hibitory law is accused of being bar
rier to business and its repeal is de-
manded,
Reports received from bS -four mills shows
m average capital OF tS79es per plant and
average tax assessessment Of S4gl The aver
age wages paid were 1904 for the year Skilled
labor received ~ S3 per day, and ordinary labor
tL26 An increase In wages was reported from
five mills, No strikes or labor troubles were
reported. Ten mllers advocated the abolish
ment OF the state labor bureau % favored Its
continuance Some OF the millers claim their
greatest hndrance IN business is the importa-
ton OF ndulterated -four
Reports were received from only 20 cigar
manufactures Tho average daily wages paid
were Sl09 No strikes were reported Accord
Ing TO returns II costs from ~ TO HlbB for
labor to make 100 cigars -Four dealers
say convict labor competition hurts their
business In reply to ths query, state what
legislation will be beneficial TO your buslnessY
the cigar men invariably say. Repeal the
prohibition law"
The average wages OF skilled labor paid by
creamerios were H. 20, and for common labor,
i1i& The creamerleS say they could not
adopt the eight-hour system, Some days they
work only four or Ave hours, aud other days
from IL TO 10 hours All OF the creamery men
demand the passage OF an anti oleomargurln Q
law.
The average wages OF Is bottling works were
3d. "a per day for skilled and ti03 for unskiled
labor These companies suggest the repeal OF
the prohibition law They say 1t will help
their business
The planning mills and sash and door facto-
ries pay W ~ for skilled labor md SlO3 for
ordinary labor. No strikes or labor troubles
were reported. The mill proprietors favor a
law ITO break up the lumbermen's association
Carriage manufacturers pay, on an average,
1908 for skilled labor and u for unskilled
They want convlcts put to working the roads.
Grain elevators paid 1iS0 per day for skilled
labor and SL26 for common One grammar
suggests that the proper solution OF the con-
vict labor question IL TO ship all the convcts ID
western Kansas and compel them TO pump
water for lrrigating bitches All OF the grain.
men suggest laws for more just system Of
weighing grain and lower freight rates
Employees OF cement and plaster works res
celve on an average ~ l8 for skilled and flS
for common labor The prOprletors all want
tariff on gypsum 80 that they can compete Will
Nova Scotia They also demand laws Will
proper penalties against strikes, lockouts nnC
boycottS
Plumbers get on nm average S2b9 per day
The specific 10 tislaton wanted Is law tt
"bust the plumbers supply trust known o.
the Central Supply association; also Law
Regulating sanitary plumbing under state In
spectlon"
All bakers oppose tho eight-hour law nnt
demand state control of express companies
The average pay Of n skilled baker IL a. 10 PEE
dav
Foundrymen have only one complaint, ant
that is against freight rates They pay skilled
labor IN average OF t24Opsr day
| Skilled brickmalsers receive Sl05 per day
and no strikes are reported Brlck manufac
| turers say that the proper thing to do with con
vlct labor Is to put II Mt work building brio
roads, providing the state buys the brick
Cooperago companies pny IN average OF 10
per day One cooper suggests TIE passage OF
law to 'stipulate the size OF apple and potat
barrels, which would have tendency TO gen
crate little more honesty IN apple pncKer
and potato dealers Z"
The average daily pay of skilled labor !
laundres Isl Male, abb; female, % cents
Specific legislation wanted Is; "A law to pre-
vent foreign laundrles from doing business Il
this state except by paying license therefor;
Flower freight and express rates ana 'th
repeal Of the prohlbitori lava farce mere,