Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-10-13
merited and commendable to our legls-

merited and commendable to our legls-
lation. The effect Of the present bill
however, would, in my Judgment, ulti
mately be to hinder and obstruct i'm
provements, to place property owners
and builders at disadvantage, and
subject them to injury and imposition.
Mechanics, 1ourneymen and laborers
would, in all probability be required
to waive their rights before being en-
ployed and would be hindered rather
than helped by the general operations
Of this law.--From veto of mechanics
lien bill, 1893.
Guarding Lives of Workers-Half-
Holidays.
Protection to employees by frees
capes. better ventilation, necessary hy-
gienic apparatus, inquiry into the cause
of and responsibility for accidents and
general amelioration of the condition
of workingmen and women, have fol-
lowed the increased efficiency of the
factory inspectors department. | COM
mend to you his recommendation In
behalf of shorter hours of toll. Satur-
day half-holidays, better assured semi
monthly payments Of wages, and in.
quiry into the supervision of the So
called sweating system of labor. '
The legislature should see to it
that every, building of unusual height,
and any that is likely to be occupied
by an unusual number of people, should
be amply provided with means of es-
cape in times of peril.-Annual Mes
sage, 1895.
Arbitration Better Than the Bayonet.
There ought to be no difficulty in de-
vising board of arbitration in which
both sides might have confidence and
to whose impartial Judgment both
would yield respect. Cor
porations deriving their life and pow
ers from the commonwealth and seek
ing it's protection, owe to it the duty
of serving and carrying out the pur-
poses of their organization. When they
confess themselves unable to do this,
because of a lack Of confidence on the
part of their employees and an inca
pacity to satisfactorily adjust the ques-
ton of wages they become subject to
the visitation of the commonwealth.
1t has been well said: THE state is
bound in the end to interpose; and
If the state is to come in at the finish
with the bayonet, 1t may as we'll come
in at the start with the balances. All
nual Message 1895.
No Step Backward at the Mines.
The coal production of Pennsylvania
Is one of the great material interests
of the state. In carrying 1t on enor-
nous ventures of capital are required
and large risks of property are in
Cured. OF even greater concern, in
both the anthracite and bituminous re-
gions, are the dangers to human life.
These have been the subject of fire.
Quent legislation, and the enactment
Of 1893, relating to the bituminous
coal mines, went further towards their
regulation by the state than any pre-
vious legislation. Experience has dem.
onstrated the wisdom and efficacy of
the law. Its operation Is only con-
ducive to the protection and health Of
the underground employees, but it
meets the approval of humane employ
ers who are concerned for the we'll
being of their operatives. No step
backward should be taken on this sub
ject.-Annual Message, 1895.
Honest Weighing Demanded.
Some complaint continues that min
ers are defrauded by the use of false
weights. If 1t should be found upon
due and impartial investigation that
there exists substance for such COM
plant, the general assembly might fitly
consider the proprlety of establishing
a state Office, the incumbent of which
would have power at any time, when
called upon or of his own volition, to
test mine scales or measures and brand
mine cars.-Annual Message 1895.
Protection for Other Workers.
The frequent occurrence of mine dis
asters in the slate region of the state,
accompanied In some cases by the loss
of half dozen human lives, suggests
the necessity of extending state pro-
lection and regulation to other under
ground operatives than those of col
lieries.-Annual Message, 1895.
"Pluck-Me" Store Grimes Denounced.
Frequent complaints are heard, and
some have been made to the law de-
partment, from centres of mining or
manufacturing industries, that the act
of June 1881, forbidding mining or
manufacturing corporations from car
rying on stores, is violated.
Moral coercion is used to defeat
all the purposes of the act of 1891, and
the laborer. continues to be the victim
of the so-called pluck system. A
more particular legislative definition of
this scheme of labor oppression is de-
manded. Specific punishment, by fine
and Imprisonment, of the individuals
directly or indirectly engaged in 1t,
would be found efficient as partial
remedy.-Annual Message, 1895.
S15O q wear Is all the TRIBUNE costs,