The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-06-30
MANY LABOR LAWS
Placed on Statute Books by Repub-
lean General Assemblies.
SOME VERY IMPORTANT MEASURES

SOME VERY IMPORTANT MEASURES
! Which Contribute to the Betterment
Of the Condition of Those Who Toll
Nearly All the Modern Labor Leg
IsIation Now on the Statute Books Of
Indiana Placed There Since 1895.
During the past decade of Repub-
lican control in the General Assembly
nearly all the modern labor legislation
now on the statute books of Indiana
has been enacted. During the General
Assembly of 1895, when for the first
time in many years the Republican
party assumed responsibility for legis-
lation in Indiana, the law compelling
streetcar companies to equip their
cars with vestibules for the protection
of employees was enacted. This was
only a starter.
In 1897 the factory inspection and
child labor laws, with its companion,
the one creating the Labor Commits
sion, received the signature of Cover.
nor James A. Mount. These two meas
ures have almost revolutionized condi-
tions in factories. the former looking
after the health, comfort and bodily
welfare of employees, the Punishment
Of children under fourteen from fac
tories and mercantile establishments,
shortening the hours of labor for them,
preventing the working of women at
night, and In numerous other ways
looking after their welfare. The labor
commissioners, who might be styled a
''let us get together and talk 1t over
committee" have accomplished great
deal, much more than the general pub
lie gives them credit for. The first
OF these measures was introduced at
the request of the Indiana Federation
OF Labor. The other, as soon as its
provisions were understood, received
Its hearty support.
In 1899 the legislature amended and
strengthened both the factory inspec-
ton and labor commission laws; don.
bled the force of the former and made
the latter more serviceable; increased
the salary of both commissioners and
the chief inspector; passed a weekly
wage law. the fire-escape law, and one
concerning pleadipgs and proof in ac-
ton for damages, which removed the
burden Of proof from the plaintiff and
placed IL on the defendant. These
measures met the hearty approval of
the Indiana Federation of Labor and
we're considered their measures.
In 1901 there were passed a law con-
corning minimum rate of wages on
public works of state, counties. cities
and towns; an act regulating the hand
ling of explosives in mines; one con-
corning the issuance Of checks, tickets.
tokens or other devices given in pay
ment for the assignment or transfer of
wages. making them payable on de-
mand; the bake-shop law; one pro-
tecting laborers who work on public
streets, alleys, sewers and other public
improvements, by compelling the con.
tractor to give bond for the payment
OF wages; and one compelling convict
made goods to be plainly labeled "Con-
vict Made"
This same year the railroad men had
an act passed compelling railroads to
maintain lights at street and railroad
crossings. in towns, and one providing
for signal lights on switches Both of
these were for the better protection
of trainmen and were supported by
their committee. At this session of
the legislature the forces of both the
mine inspector and factory inspector
were again increased and the mine in
spector's salary increased to 81 800 per
annum-
In 1903 there were passed the boiler
inspection law, the temporary floor
law, and one compelling the inspection
OF naphtha and gasoline launches on
inland lakes and rivers, by a compe-
tent mechanic. All of these laws were
not introduced at the request of the
Federation of Labor, but many of them
were; however, they all received their
hearty support and were recognized as
being to the interest of the workmen.
At this session the railroad men re-
ceived q law which forbade their en-
ployment for more than sixteen hours
consecutively, thus giving them eight
hours rest out of twenty-four. They
also secured the passage of an act
compelling all railroads within the
state to equip their cars with auto
matte couplers, continuous brakes and
hand-holds
Here are eighteen distinct acts
passed at the request of organized la
Dor and the amending and strengthen
ing Of some of them at each session of
the legislature.
Not only has the Republican party
passed these laws. but in the appoint
ment to positions created by them they
have invariably gone to the ranks of
organized labor for persons to MI,
them. When the factory inspector and
labor commissioner were to be ap-
pointed. Governor Mount gave them to
men who had long been identified with
organized labor, Mr.. Mccormack and
Mr.. McAbee, either of whom had had
twenty-five years experience in the
active ranks of organized labor, and
Governor Durbin only a short time
ago reappointed these gentlemen. Mr..
McAbee. in the appointment of his dep
uties, followed the precedent estab-