Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-18

State Commissioner of Labor, |. V.
Barton, talks interestingly of the Free
Public Employment Office and other
matters pertaining to the Bureau of
Labor, and to a representative of the
Register yesterday he said:
THE Free Public Employment Office
DIS now established, With the reorgani-
cation of the Bureau of Labor. Both
of these institutions will have head
quarters in Wheeling for the present.
However, the employment Office will al
ways remain in this city from the fact
that Wheeling is the manufacturing ana
labor employment center Of the State.
This department is one of the new fea-
lures of the Bureau of Labor, and,
while it is an experiment, 1T is believ-
ed by the commissioner that its impor-
lance will be SO great to the general
pubic that there will be a necessity for
DIT to become of the permanent in
stitutions of the State. For the pres
ent, and for the sake of economy, the
employment Office has been placed in
charge of the Bureau OF Labor, and the
Commissioners will carry on a live, ac-
tive, ~np-to-date employment Office,
without charge to those who may apply
for employment, help or other informa-
ton. The act creating the employment
Office embraces all branches of indus
try, agricultural and domestic help in
cluded. In the reorganization of the
Bureau of Labor, it WAS the desire of
the working people and agreeable to
Governor White to have every infiu-
ence removed from the Office that would
hamper it In its usefulness to the wage
earners, and that it should be devoted
entirely and exclusively to the purpose
for which it was primarily intended.
The Bureau of Labor is now purely a
labor Institution. For the first time
within its history, it has been entirely
eliminated from political and other in
f1uence. Too much cannot be said of
the fairness and wisdom of Governor
Write; nor, can too much credit be
given him for the willing part he has
taken in bringing about this desired
change"
In the reappointment of Mr.. Barton
to the commissionership, Governor
white so expressed himself, that he
would require of him to administer
the affairs of that office after the man
ner Of its title, and render a thorough,
business-like administration. For this
purpose, Mr.. Barton has taken early
steps in his preparatory work. The
bills that were passed in the last ses-
sion of the West Virginia Legislature
in the interest Of labor will become
effective on the 18th day of May. And,
as 1t will be required of the commits
sioner to enforce these new provisions
and regulations. which will take up a
great amount of time, for this and 9TH
er reasons, II is deemed advisable to
place In the Office and experienced Ste
%nographer and typewriter. Mr.. Bar
ton has accepted the services Of his
former stenographer, Miss May Buch-
Rnan, who SO ably assisted him in the
compilation of his last report. The ex-
perience she has had in the Office Of
the Bureau of Labor, has made her
quite proficient with its duties.
MI. Barton, besides experimenting
the employment Office, will inspect all
places where labor is employed through
out the State, the mercantile establish
ments included, and enforce the new
regulations, which will be very import
ant to labor and a permanent benefit to
the State.
In respect to the treatment of en-
ployees he is very sincere and will see
to its enforcement, not only in this
city but all over the State. In referring
to the matter yesterday he said: 'Tll
ether enforce that law or resign my
position"