The Washington times., 1902-02-10
DEVELOPMENT OF
LABOR and CAPITAL
Industrial Commission on
Present Conditions.
PROBLEM REVIEWED AT LENGTH
Recommends nm Eight-HOur Day in
All Public Employment and Estnb-
Iishment by All States of Labor
bureaus or COmmissiOners.

The Industrial Commission in It's fna
report has devoted large amount Of
space to the consideration of the subject
of labor. The Commission heard a great
deal of testimony upon labor problems
In introducing the subject the report
says:
The remarkable revolution in business
methods and conditions OF the past few
years. showing itself in industrial combi-
nations and the so-called community OF
interests, has been accompanied by an
almost equally remarkable consolidation
| OF labor interests through the growth and
Strengthening of labor organizations and
the increase in la Dor legislation.
Development of Labor and Capital.
| Whatever may be the ultimate outcome
of this growth of organization on both
sides, its first tendency has been to bring
about more definite separation of the
two and in many cases distinct con-
fronting of one by the other, each relying
partly upon the strength of its organiza-
ton and partly upon legislation and the
courts. In several industries there is re-
| corded especially in recent years, an in
| teresting and most important development
OF systems of conference and conciliation
by which the two interests, recognizing
their dependence one upon the other and
their need Of harmonious action. have
settled their differences in a peaceable
way.
To this phase of the development of
labor and capital large amount OF at
tention has been given, and it marks one
of the most hopeful phases of the labor
question. The relative strength of en-
ployers and employees varies widely, how
ever. in different industries. and shows
| Itself in the differences in profits and
wages; differences in the methods and
medium of payment of wages; differences
| in the hours OF labor health, and safety
| of the working people. and in the rela-
! tive Importance of labor OF women and
| children, Upon each of these particular
phases of the labor question both labor
organization and legislation have had i'm
! portant effects, but there are certain
! topics which balong primarily to legisla-
/ tion, such employers liability for ac-
| cidents and the competition OF convict
and immigrant labor.
Review of Labor Problem.
| The report then goes into a very ex-
haustive review of the labor problem in
all its phases, including organized labor,
strikes. md iockouts. iicurs of labor.
| child labor, factory legislation, and alii5,.i
topics.
The commission makes a number of
recommendation On the matter of hours
OF labor it calls attention to the fact that
has ne int he but
expresses the opinion that uniform law
upon the subject might wisely be recon-
mended for adoption by all the States.
As TO Minors in Factories.
The commission are of opinion that a
simple statute ought to be enacted by all
the States to regulate the length of the
working day for young persons in fac
tories lmeaning by young persons those
between the age OF majority and four
teen); and in view of the entire absence
of protection now accorded by the laws
of many States TO children of tender years
We think that the employment of children
in factories in any capacity. or for any
time. under the age of fourteen. should
be prohibited
The question of shops and mercantile
establishments generally appears even
more subject to local conditions than that
Of factories: therefore the commission
see no need for even recommending to
the States any uniform legislation upon
this subject But child labor should be
universally protected ty educational re-
strictions providing in substance that
no child may be employed IN either fac
tories, shops, or in stores in large cities,
who cannot read and write. and. except
during vacation, unless he has attended
school for at least twelve weeks in each
year.
Further regulation. especially in the
line Of bringing States which now have
no factory acts up to q higher standard
is earnestly recommended.
Eight-Hour Day Recommended.
The commission would further recon-
mend that the length OF the working day
in all public employment should be fixed
at eight hours, in line with the present
act Of Congress. which should further be
strengthened in some particulars The
objection that this discriIninates between
public and private employment is recog-
nized, but in our judgment is outweighed
by The demonstration of the benefits of
q shorter day, which. it is hoped, viii
BRING private employment to the same
sandard.
The Supreme Court of the United States
has affirmed the cOnstitutionality of the
Utah lazy limiting the length Of the days
labor in mines or underground workings,
even in the case Of male citizens of full
age. The commission would therefore |
recommend that the provision of the Utah |
constitution and statutes be followed in !
all the States by which the period of
employment Of workmen in all under
ground mines or workings shall be |
eight hours a day. except in cases Of
emergency. when life or property is in
imminent danger. and also that the EN- !
plOyment of children under the age OF
fourteen. and of all women and girls in |
mines or underground quarries and work
ipgs shall be forbidden.
LegisIntion on RaiIrond EMPLOYEES.
Under the interstate commerce power !
Congress might well enact that no person
under eighteen should be employed as d
telegraph operator upon railroads, follow
ing the Colorado and Georgia statutes and !
that all engineers and switchmen should /
submit TO an examination for color blind |
ness; also that it be made msdemean
for an engineer or switchman to be in
toxicated while on duty.
A simple and liberal law regulating the !
payment OF labor should be adopted in all |
the States, providing that laborcrs shall /!
be paid. for all labor performed, in cash |
or cash orders. without discount not in |
goods or due bills. and that cOmpul- |
sion, direct or indirect should be used to |
make them purchase supplies AT any par
ticular store. More stringent legislation, |
as by providing that mining employers, |
etc. may not run supply stores at all |
must necessarily be determined by the |
several States according to their local |
conditions. The company store acts now |