Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-19
INSPECT FACTORIES
State Labor commissioners Give
Ottumwa Credit.
NUMBER OF WORKING CHILDREN FEW

ottumWa Compares Well With Other
Iowa Cities Regarding Labor Condi-
tons in General Says A. e. Holder
Law Bearing on Work.
[From Saturdays Daily.l
After an inspection of twenty-five of
OttumWa'S factories and places where
labor is congregated, Edward Brigham
and Arthur L. Holder, of Des Moines,
commissioner and deputy commissions
er respectively of the state bureau of
labor statistics, give to Ottumwa the |
credit for being at least on an average |
with the other large cities of the state
as regards the conditions in these
places, both as to safety and SANTA
ton. On the question of child labor
this city is given even more credit and
Deputy Commissioner Holder,i speak
ing to representative of the Courier
today, stated that Ottumwa has less
child laborers than the average Iowa
city. This is cited as ground for self
congratulation in place where the
labor element predominates as it does
here.
Improvement Noticeable.
Mr.. Holder, in an interview today,
stated that there is very noticeable
improvement in this city since last
years inspection was made. Many of
of The places which were either dan
gerous or unsanitary year ago have
been improved and the workmen have
thus been given better places to work
SO that their duties seem more pleas
ant and their health is better.
Were Well Received.
eve have been well received in OF
tumwa," said Mr.. Holder 'The man.
ayers of the different factories we
have visited have treated us with eve
ry courtesy and have been more than
ready to accede to the requests we
made, when we made them, for better
conditions. The people, l think, are
becoming better acquainted with our
methods and our objects. We do not
try to secure changes which are not
necessary but attempt to be conserva-
tive in our requests for improvements. |
The reports show that the conditions
in Ottumwa and throughout the state
are better this year than last and this
fact demonstrates beyond doubt the
advisability of maintaining bureau
of labor statistics
Right to Enter Premises.
Many of the citizens of the state are
not acquainted with the laws iii re-
gard to the inspection by the commits
sioners of the factories and other
places where labor is employed. The
state law passed during the past win
ter with regard to this matter covers
all cases and defines the rights and
duties of the commissioners. One
important provision is contained in
the following section of the code:
The commissioner of the bureau of
labor statistics shall have the power
upon the complaint of two or more per-
sons or upon his failure to otherwise
obtain information in accordance with
the provisions of this chapter, to enter
any factory, mill, workshop, mine. store
business house, public or private work,
when the same is open or in operation,
upon request being made in writing
for the purpose OF gathering facts and
statistics such as are contemplated by
this chapter, and to eXemine into the
methods Of protection from danger to
employees, and the sanitary conditions
in and around such buildings and
places and make a record thereof. If
the commissioner shall learn of any
violation of, or neglect to comply with
the law in respect to the employment
of children, or in respect to fire es-
capes or the safety of employees, or for
the preservation of health, he shall
give written notice to the owner or per-
son in charge of such factory or build
ing, of such offense or neglect and if
the same is not remedied within sixty
days after the service of such notice,
such officer shall give the county attor-
ney of the county in which such factory
or building is situated, written notice
of such offense or neglect; and any
owner or occupant of such factory or
mill, workshop, mine, store, business
| house, public or private work, or any
agent or employe of such owner or oc-
cupant, who shall refuse to allow any
officer or employee of said bureau to so
enter, or who shall hinder him, or in
any way deter him from collecting in
| formation, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and, upon conviction
thereof before any court of competent
| jurisdiction, shall be punished by fine
of not exceeding 500 and costs OF pros
ecution, or by Imprisonment in the
county Jail not exceeding thirty days.
Child Labor.
The commissioners expect that they
will be aided in regard to the ques-
ton of child labor by the new com
pulsory education law which is about
to be enforced in the state of Iowa
One clause in the law regarding labor
that is being lived up to in the state
is that one which provides that no
child under 16 years of age shall be
allowed to operate a dangerous ma
chine or to help operate one.
| No Information Given Out.
| The commissioners cannot give in
L -. ], L