The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-10-30
LABOR MAN
| IN THE CITY
State Commissioner Hon Here to
Prepare Material for Ills
Annual Report.
SOUND ADvICEIT0 UNION MEN
He Says They Should Always At
tend Meetings, Thereby
Guarding Their Own
Interests.
SOUND ADWCEITo UNION MEN

O. p. Hoff, state labor commissioner
II In the city. Mr.. Hoff was recently
appointed TO Office by the governor, Sec
retary Of state and state treasurer. His
home was at Portland at the time OF
hiH appointment. Politically Mr.. Hoff
In o republican. The salary attached
to his Office Is 1880. and he is allowed
$500 as an expense account. After 1906
the ofiice OF labor commissioner win be
an elective one.
Commissioner Hon IA now making his
first official visit TO this city. He sayf
that he finds this strong union town,
and was agreeably surprised at the
prosperous evidences 10 be seen on all
sides. lie thinks Astoria has bright
future and says It's. business conditions
compare favorabiy with those OF any
other Oregon city.
The labor commissioner is q believer
In unIonlsm. and says that the only
possible objection which can be made
to unions is that all Of the members
do not attend meetings. lie believes
that the apathy OF non-attending MEM
bers greatly Injuries union labor and
often Is characterized with dire conse-
auences In other respects.
'"The man who belongs 10 a union
should attend every meeting. and
should be quite as careful to do 80 an he
is TO show up AZ work time In the
morning" said the commissioner yes
terday. Full attendance at union
meetings insures thorough discussion
of all matters affecting the interests OF
the laboring man, and full discussion
win oft times prevent difficulties that
otherwise might ensue. find union
labor well organized in Astoria--more
SO proportionately than in any other
city Of the state. Every line seems to be
represented. and am told that labor
troubles here are rare occurrences
Mr.. Hoffs present trip to Astoria 10
made for the purpose OF acquainting
himself with The county officials. EN-
ployers and secretaries OF the various
unions. upon whom he must depend for
the information that viii he contained
In his annual report. He ls also look
ing about 10 see that oregons labor
Laws are being enforced. The laws
specify that children under IA years oD
age shall not be employed in any mill
or factory at any time and that they
shall not be employed anywhere during
those months In which school Is held.
liliterate children under the age OF l6
are not allowed TO work at any trade
during school time. There Is also law
governing woman labor,one OF the pro-
visions being that seats shall be provid-
ca for female operatives. and another
that woman shall not be required TO
work more than 10 hours daily. 1t has
been reported that some OF the Portland
factories employing women have pro-
vided seats, as the law requires, but
that the operatives have been given TO
understand that they must not use
them.
In visiting the different factories Mr..
Hoff also keeps an eye out for danger
GUS conditions. The law does not
authorize him to compel factory own
ers TO provide for the safety Of their
employees, but the commissioner always
suggests changes where there Is dan
ger OF accident. Yesterday he visited
two factories here where conditions
were dangerous.
The annual report Of the labor COM
missioner, which viii be submitted at
the next session OF the Legislature, will
show the number II persons employed
In the state and the lines Of occupation
they follow, and .he amount Of wages
received by them. Other information
of equal interest will likewise appear
In the report. Mr.. Hoff is now paving
TIE way Tor the compilation Of this re-
port. He will be In the city today, leav-
ing for Portland tonight.