The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-10-16

merfted and commendabfe 20 our 1egis-
lation. The effect of the present bill
however, would, In my judgment, ulti-
matoly be to hinder and obstruct i'm
provements. to place property owners
md builders at a disadvantage, and
subject them to injury and imposition.
Mechanics, 1ourneymen and laboTers
would, In all probability, be required
to waive their rights before being em-
ployed and would be hindered rather
than helped by the general operations
of this law.-From veto of mechanics
lien bill 1893
ouarding 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-holdays 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 1t
that every building of unusual height,
and any that Is likely to be occupied
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 a 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
,s,,f, =
| 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 well come
| in at the start with the balances. An
| 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, IL
| both the anthracite and bituminous re-
gions, are the dangers to human life
These have been the subject of fire.
quent legislation, and the enactmen
of 1888 relating to the bituminou:
coal mines, went further towards thell
regulation by the state than any pre-
vious legislation. Experience has dem
Onstrated the wisdom and efficacy o
the law. It's operation Is only con
ducive to the protection and health o
the underground employees, but /
meets the approval of humane employ
ers who are concerned for the well
being of their operatives. NO stel
backward should be taken on this SUP
ject.-Annual Message, 1895.
Honest Weighing Demanded.
Some complaint continues that min
ers are defrauded by the use of falls
weights. II it should be found upo'
, due and impartial investigation tina
there exists substance for such com
plaint, the general assembly might ttl
consider the proprlety OF establlshln
a state office. the incumbent of whic
would have power at any time. whe
called upon or of his own volition, t
test mine scales or measures and bran
mine cars.-Annual Message, 1893
, Protection for Other Workers.
The frequent occurrence of mine dis
asters in the slate region of the STATE
accompanied in some cases by the los
of half dozen human lives, suggest
the necessity of extending state pre-
lection and regulation to other under
ground operatives than those of CO.
, iieries.-Annual Message, 1895.
! "Pluck.Me" Store Crimes Denounce'
. Frequent complaints are heard, an
: some have been made to the law de
) partment, from centres of mining c
} manufacturing industries, that the az
2 of June 1881, forbidding mining c
+ manufacturing corporations from cal
= rying on stores, is violated.
=. = Moral coercion is used to defef
all the purposes of the act of 1891, an
= the laborer continues to be the victil
= of the so-called "pluck-me' system.
3 more particular legislative definition {
Y this scheme of labor oppression is d.
: manded. Specific punishment, by fir
and Imprisonment, of the individua.
directly or indirectly engaged in /
would be found efficient as a parts
4 ,a,,aI,r MpcCnVa 1Sgb