Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-04
Wage WORKER AFFAIRS
Iowa Statistics As to His Condi-
ton Being Compiled by the
Labor Bureau.
Information As TO Conditions
Surrounding His Factory Lie
Is Sought.
Number Employed, Wages, Cost
of Living, Prosperity Of Bust.
ness Ali Ascertained.
Special to Times-Republican.

| Special to Times Republican.
| Des Moines, June 4.-The most earn
est and thorough attempt to secure
statistics OF every kind relating to wage
earners In Iowa, their condition, the
surroundings Of their work and the at
| titude of employers toward their work
men and workwomen, has just been
/ entered upon by the Iowa bureau Of la
Dor statistics. Commissioner Brigham
and Assistant Commissioner Holder are
engaged in sending out the blanks for
the reports for this year. These blanks
cover greater variety of subjects than
usual and greater than has been at
tempted in any OF the midland states
by any of the labor bureaus or by the
United States department of labor. This
is made possible, or required, by the
new laws which passed the Iowa gem
eral assembly few months ago. These
line of original research in regard to la
Dor questions. Heretofore the Iowa
bureau has piodded along covering sub
stantialiy the same ground year after
year and getting to no conclusions. An
excellent start was made last year in
deviation from this and the last report
of the bureau is filed with new matter.
But beginning this year the investiga-
tons will be greatly broadened.
One of the most important lines Of
tt,f, ,ifHy hi ie-
conditions of factory life Employers
fof labor are required to fill out blank
which shows, among other things, the
kind of goods or articles manufactured.
number of stories in the building used
as factory, number of stairways in
|side and outside. and whether supplied
with hand-rails, number of fire es-
|capes, provision for ladders, elevators,
hoists, ventilation of work rooms,
whether exhaust fans are supplied
where the work makes dust suitable
wash rooms and closets. whether loose
pulleys and shift belts are used, wheth-
ler Gearinss are guarded. character OF
the doors inspection of boilers, age of
employees, whether children are operat-
ing dangerous machinery, the number
and nature of accidents, and all about
the wages, hours of work, fines, etc.
Aside from this information required of
the employers of labor in all factories
of Iowa, blank goes to every wage
Garner in such factories making in
quiries which cover substantially the
same ground as to safety appliances,
sanitation and accidents, also requiring
information as to number of days
working and number idle, rate of wages
and method of payment, whether there
has been an increase or decrease in
wages. whether member of any labor |
organization, cost of living for the
wage Garner size of his family, the |
kind of insurance carried and cost |
thereof. whether the laborer owns his !
own home or not and the amount of his |
savings during the year. The individu-
al wage Garner is also invited to give |
statement of what specific legislation |
would benefit the wage earners in his |!
occupation. and in what way can the
bureau of labor statistics best promote
the interests Of the wage earners and
the people of the state.
A little different set of blanks is be-
ing sent out to secure statistics regard |
ing railroad employees, and this is
something entirely new. The railroad |
are required to furnish in
formation as to the number of en-
ployes in this state, the number in diff I
ferent branches of the work. in ma
chine shops, etc, at different points
in the state and all information in re-
gard to wages and hours of employ
ment. The individual railroad work
men are asked to cover the same
ground and more, for they must report
on the runs the miles of travel, the
hours consumed, the age limits, the
size of trains hauled, the system of
discipline used, condition of property
handled and all about accidents.
In general, the employers of labor
are required to report on the extent
Of their business, the capital employed, +
the total of wages and other expenses,
the profits or loss,s the cost of raw
the number of employees and I!
total value of output. In regard to
strikes and lockouts the most COM
plete information is sought, as to num-
ber of establishments affected, cause
of the strikes, whether successful or
not method of settlement, wage loss,
employers loss and all such inforlna-
ton. Another line of inquiry covers
The ground of labor organizations in
Iowa. Their names, time of organ
zation. number of members, monthly
dues per member. and number of as
sessments the conditions of employ
ment before and after organization,
and the manner in which agreements T,
ire made by the unions with employ
ars. Information is also to be secured
from the officers of labor unions in ,
regard to strikes and lockouts in which {
heir organizations participated.
Still another line of inquiry, and
his is enlarged from previous work ]
Of this character in Iowa, relates to
he new industries established in Iowa /
since 1900 and the profitable location ]
'or new industries. This goes the
ength of an inquiry as to the induce
nents offered or given for new in
lustries in Iowa. Upon the reports I
'eceived along this line will be made
4 general report which it is expected
will be of great value to the state. {
The blanks now being sent out are i
n accordance with the new laws of i