The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-03-14
COMMISSION !! /
F:LAB0R'S =.
REPORT

Labor Commissioner: John O'Donnell
has issued his first be,ennial report It
is the best ever, and it emphasizes the
fact that the great state Of Minnesota
has one Of the best labor bureaus in
the country.
The report has departed to a consid-
cradle extent from the old beaten lines
Of dry and brain wearying columns of
figures. and while there are statistics
Of much value to all students, they are
served up in manner which does not
give a common mortal brain fag to
look at.
There are many features never be-
fore touched by a report Of this sort,
such as the early closing movement,
the domestic servant problem, female
.Wage-earners, etc. The answers to
questions sent out by the commissioner
to employers in various lines are also
OF more than passing interest. While,
as stated, there is no attempt at dry,
detailed statistics, there are most COM
plete tables covering factory inspection,
comparative tables of wages in 1890 and
1900, classified Industries, hours Of
labor, wages, ETC., which give in con-
else form vast amount of useful in
formation. A valuable feature is the
introduction to the various Depart
ments, which leads up in an attractive
way to the information to be secured
by study Of the statistics presented
The articles on child labor and female
wage-earners are especially interesting
and show that while Mr.. O'Donnell
takes a special interest in the child
labor problem, he does not intend to
ignore the equally interesting lady
members of the army of producers.
There is one table in the book which
alone is a. liberal education in labor
economics, II it were carefully studied.
giving, as 1t does, the number Of en-
p1oyes. male, female and children, in
124 industries for 1890 and 1900, the
proportion of each, and the increase
or decrease Of each for ten years.
There are many things to be learned
from study OF this table. It is
shown that in 1900 there were nine
children engaged In blacksmithing, as
against one in 1890, an increase Of 300
per cent. In boots and shoes the num-
Der has increased from one to Fl, an
increase Of 1000 per cent. In 1900 there
was one female engaged in carpenter
ing, and three children. In food pre-
parations the per cent Of increase in
child labor is 1880. In foundry and
machine shop products there were en-
gagged in 1890 two females and two
children, and in 1900 six children and
~ females. The totals are: In 1890,
children, 748; males, 63,3O6; females,
$3.50; females, 1858. There is food for
h. ~,
while the percentage Of male labor has
only increased 5.66 per cent and child
labor $50 per cent in ten years, the
increase in female labor is 1851 per
cent. At this rate OF increase it would
seem that In another 1n years us poor
men will not have to work at all, and
the women will r. performing all the
work-don't that BE flee? But really
this table shows in an alarming way
the rapid increase of female labor, ana
emphasizes the danger to the home life
of our. country which is contained in
that mact. =.
We hope to give a more extender
notice Of the report, and to quote lib
orally from the valuable matter con-
tanned therein in future issues. as there
| is much which will interest our readers.
The report shows the most careful
thought and preparation, and its value
is such that il it be true as the conn.,
missioner says that he has not help
enough to properly prepare so VOL
luminous report, the Importance of it
is sufficient to warrant the state in
giving him all the necessary help SO
that the report may be prepared with
| out interfering with the other valuable
and necessary work Of the office. Talk
en- altogether, we consider this report
of Labor Commissioner O'Donnells one
Of the best labor reports we have ever
received, and we congratulate him up
on the many good ideas set forth, and
the workingmen Of the state upon hav'
ing labor commissioner who cana find
something of Importance to them to
report upon the 1.-THE Purchasing
Power of Gold.'