The Advocate and news., 1898-07-27
Wage Earners and LeglslatIon.


the Labor Commissioner into the con-
ditiOns surrounding the wage-eaTners OF
the State was made this year
and was attended with more than
usual success, when the means Of
gathering this Observation-Disclosures the
use of the mails-is considered.
Five thousand copies Of the schedule
on which the investigation was based
were printed and used. OF the whole
number sent out $50 we're distributed to
the wage-eaTner by the Commissioner
while gathering data for other purposes,
or were given to employers Of labor who
handed them direct to their employees.
Each OF these schedules was accom-
panied by a stamped return envelope,
using postage to the amount Of SIS, and
4,250 were mailed direct from the office,
using postage to the amount OF SlSO--4
cents for each schedule-making total
postage expense Of $195 for this one in
Vestigation. The number Of schedules
returned was 1,735, Of which 1,2O4 were
sufficiently complete to admit of tabu-
latiOn, and were used. This leaves a
total of 1896 schedules not heard from,
or q loss in postage Of S13O.6O aside
from the printing, and other expenses
incidental to mailing them, which but
adds one more years experience to that
of the department, emphasizing the ne
cessitY Of an increase In the postage
fund or provision made to have this
work done through special agents-the
method adopted by the national govern
ment and also in use in the most pro-
gressiVe States in the Union.
The names and addresses OF the wage
earners to whom schedules were sent
were obtained in most instances from
their employers, who were supplied by
this department with blanks for this
purpose. The names Of hundreds Of
wage earners were received to whom
schedules were not mailed owing to the
insufflciency Of our postage fund.
The returns received are fairly repre-
sentative Of the wage-earners OF the
State for the reason that nearly all Of
the aVocations and a large majority Of
counties are represented, and the deduc-
tiOns made therefrOm are certainly Valu
able to the student of economics, and
to the legislators, showing, as they do,
the general conditions Of employment,
and pointing out the remedial legisla-
blOA nGSOobuAy w HAOAAVbO bAO WVAA&AV
Of the Wage-earner generally.
The intent of the schedule Is shown in
its arrangement and detail which gem
erallZed, covers the points Of age and
nativity, employment, compensation,
etc But one tabulation is made, just
as 1t runs once through the schedule,
fact greatly to be regretted but neces-
sary because of the limitations placed
apon this department by the Legislature
restricting the size of the report, and
curtailing the clerical force to the abll-
ity and endurance Of one lone clerk. 1t
would be both interesting and instruct
Ing to tabulate the following data with
reference to nationality, showing ca
pacity or possibility OF saving from
earnings, making comparisons OF an
nual earnings, cost OF living, etc.
Il would be equally interesting and
Instructive to make tables Of comparison
between home owners, and those occu-
pying hired tenements or rent payers,
showing conditions Of thrift, per cent Of
earnings for rent, possible annual saw
ings, etc. Further, instructive compari-
sons might be made by tabulating the
individual returns Of the wage-earners
with reference to wage classification,
Showing possible savings, cost Of living,
etc, when earning different rates OF
wages, all of which is precluded by the
legislative limitations above referred to-
The general conditions of the wage
earners of the State, as indicated by the
returns made and tabulated, appear to
be more favorable than in 1896, as A
per cent. Of those reporting on the ques-
tion state that, as compared with 1896, !
opportunity for employment has in
creased, 55 per cent. of those so report
ing, giving as the reason for increased
opportunity for employment good
crops and good prices" The wage rate
as compared with 1896, is reported in
creased by rs per cent Of those who an
swer this question,
That thn etudant ne Tho nond ditionS sur