The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-09-04
RIGHTS OF LABOR
Have Found Expression In Indiana
Statutes of Recent Years.
SOME LAWS ENACTED SINCE 1894
Show That the Party I'm Power is Not
Out of Touch With the States
Grand Army of Wage-Earners-Indi-
ana Stands at the Head In Some
Phases of Reform Legislation.


Phases of Reform Legislation.
Indiana is one of the great common
wealths in which modern conceptions
of the rights of labor have impressed
themselves upon the statute books.
During the past six years of Republic
an control in Indiana many of the de-
mands of organized labor have been
crystalized into law in this state. Not
longer ago than 1896 Mrs. Florence
Kelley, former factory inspector of
Illinois and secretary of the Con-
sumers' League, declared at national
convention of state factory inspectors
that Indiana was among the most
backward states of the Union in the
matter of legislation affecting child la
Dor. Yet Mrs. Kelley recently de-
clared that Indiana has today the best
child labor law in the country-a law
which makes it absolutely impossible
that there should be duplicated in
this state the fearful conditions which
cry out for correction in a dozen south
ern states, states which are, by the
way, under the absolute control of
Democratic leadership. and from which
come hundred Democratic members
OF congress.
Another law enacted during the pres
ent era of Republican supremacy Is
that creating a state labor commits
sion, passed during the legislature of
1897. The specific duty of this COM
mission is the arbitration of labor diff
ferences. Scores of difficulties have
been settled to the advantage of wage
earners by this commission, without
the Intervention of costly strikes. An
other law which has afforded just re-
lief to thousands of small home-hold-
ers in Indiana is the mortgage ex-
emption law passed by the legislature
of 1899 Under this law Indebtedness
on home up to 500 is not made sub
ject to taxation. The states factory
inspection law is one of the most rigid
in effect anywhere in the United States
and its efficient enforcement has &C.
complished much in the betterment Of
conditions surrounding the wage
Garner.
A list of the laws in the interests
of labor enacted during the period of
seven years referred TO shows that
the last three legislatures have not
been idle or Indifferent to the present
trend of public thought in favor Of
the betterment of the conditions sur
rounding the bone and sinew of our
Industrial systematic wage-earners.
Reference to the statute books shows
the following labor measures enacted
since Jan. /, 1895:
An act to regulate the construction
of telegraph, telephone. electric light
or other wires, over the tracks Of
steam railroads. (For the protection
of life.). Acts 1901. p. 105.
An act requiring switch lights upon
switches for the safety of railway en-
ployes. Acts 1901. p. 160.
An act fixing the minimum wage rate
of 20 cents per hour upon public work
and requiring contracts for public
work TO stipulate that less rate shall
not be paid. Acts 1901. p. 2S2.
An act to provide for better sanitary
conditions in mines of the state. Acts
1899. p. 3S2.
Act exempting mortgaged real as
tate from taxation to the extent of
500, or one half Of the mortgage debt.
(Known as the mortgage exemption
law. Acts 1899. p. 473.
Act to require fire escapes to be
placed on factories, work shops, etc.
amendment to factory inspection
law. Acts 1899. p. 473.
An act to extend provisions Of me-
chanics' lien law so as to include side
walks, sewers. wells and other struc-
lures not heretofore provided for.
Acts 1899. p. SO.
Act to regulate employment Of WON.
en- and children in factories, and for
their safety and convenience, health,
etc. (Child labor law. Acts 1897. p.
101.
Act to provide for examination OF
mine bosses. fire bosses and hosting
engineers at coal mines, issuing Ger.
tihcates Of competency to them. etc
Acts 1897. p. 127.
Act cress,no . labor commissioner
and prescribing his duties. etc. Acts
1897. p. $50.
An act requiring coal mines to be
ventilated and accidents to be report
ed 20 inspector Of mines. Acts 1897
p. 1913.
An act to require mine owners %
make maps OF mines. file copies OF the
} same with the inspector Of mines aud
10 make monthly reports to the in
spector of the number OF persons EN-
ployed, wages paid. etc. Acts 1897
p. 26a.
An act 20 require street railway
companies 70 provide vestibules FOL
the protection Of divers and motor
, men. Acts 1895. p. 157.
An act 70 protect discharged EN-
J ployes and to prevent blacGiisting
Acts 1895, p. 23O. (Amending act Of
1881
An act giving Iaborers and materia
men a lien In connection with street
alley, sewer and other public improve
ments let by contract in cities an(
e towns Acts 1901, p. 353.
An act 70 prohibit the use Of for
, maldehyde or other antiseptics OF
poisons in any foods, food products