The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-08
CHILD LABOR AN D
EIGHT.HOUR DAY.
IOWA WORKING MEN MAKE
THESE QUESTIONS AN ISSUE.
Commissioner Brigham Receives Re-
plies from All Sections Of State to
Inquiry as to What Legislation
Would Most Benefit Wage Earners-
Mnay Suggestions Are Offered.
sneoial to The Journal,

Special to The Journal
Eldora, Iowa, Nov. s.-According to many re-
plies received from laborers in all walks Of life
from Iowa to the state labor commissioner, e. d.
Brigham, child labor is opposed by all, and the
majority of the workers In favor Of the
eight hour day in the state.
The commissioner devoted large amount Of
time in writing men all over the state asking
the question: 'What legislation would benefit
wage-earners in your occupationf' and the re-
plies indeed interesting Practically every
reply made reference 10 the desirabilfty Of the
eight-hour day. Iowa has never passed such
law, tho congress and most municipal councils
have done so.
Some of the suggestions regarding various lines
of legislation to be acted upon the following:
ENACT BARRIERS license law "a state wage
scale "a law to regulate and indenture and
govern apprentices to provide better class of
mechanics referendum In state legislation,
holding the owners of machinery responsible for
all injuries to operators and pay a pension to
old mechanics whose trade has been hurt by the
Introduction of new machinery; establish week
ly payday; establish a state department of In
for miners, thus providing for men who
past 60 years Of age; advocate a social1sttc
commonwealth; a law requiring railroad compa-
MES to do all their repair work in the state
place limit the number of hours that
train crew may be kept out the road; law
requiring better boiler inspection limit the num-
Der of train; tighten the tonnage,
and many more replies were received from engi-
neers fremen, mine workers, masons, bricklay-
ers, in fact, all Of the trades were heard from.
the replies were also very noticeable. The state
wage scale the most advanced in the replies
from miners and trainmen. Child labor the
burden Of many replies. 1t only is prohibited
in mines in Iowa, and applies to boys under u,
and the miners of the state wish 1t raised to 1S.
All indorse compulsory education and anticon-
Wet labor Is urged ofen. Weekly paydays are
also strongly suggested.
Many Candidates for Office.
What lucky Iowa travelling will secure the
place held by the late f. E. Haley as secretary
OF the Iowa State Travelling Mems association :?
is the question now uppermost in the mind of
many Iowa commercial traveller. There are
a number Of candidates for this office.
The salary varies from $4,000 to $4,000, and
the constitution allows the secretary and
treasurer 80 cents for each member in good
standing this, with membership of "A 900, will
give the secretary treasurer about $12 900 yearly
Out of this amount the official must pay the
salary of his assistants. Mr.. Haley had two
assistants all the time, 1t Is claimed; and they
were paid $1,000 year each. but at certain pc
riods Of the year Mr.. Haley obliged to eni-
ploy five shorthand reporters stenographers as
well as other extra help when assessments were
mailed. 1t Is said that some of the candidates
who out for the position offer to accept the
office for $4,000 year salary and pay their as
slstants out Of this amount. The election
will take place at the capital city on the 19tl
of this month, and as proxies are not allowed
special trains Of enthusiastic friends and rooters
for candidates Will be on hand. The avowed an(
already named candidates for the position OF
).
shalltown, O. G. Porter Of Ottumwa. L. @. Deets
ex-Mayor McVicar, Berrlwoman, Christy, Filing
ton and Fraey and Sherman of Des Mones. II
is said to be Des NIoines against the field Mr.
Haley from Des Moines and held the position
for many years.
Celebrates One Hundredth Birthday
Mrs. Sarah Hanson of Badger Iowa, is the old
est Norwegian woman in the state Of Iowa. If no
in the northwest, and has just celebrated he
tooth birthday.
She was born in Norway on Oct. &C. 1905 an
resided in her native country until about thirty
eight years ago, when she came to America, an
then to Badger Iowa, where she has resided eve
since that date. She has been twice married
and by her first husband she had two children
Ole Williamson Of Badger and Knute William
son of Wisconsin, both living. The oldest so
Is IS years OF age. Mrs. Hanson has two brotl
ers, who reside In Illinois, at the age of 9S an
90. For family Of long-lived people who al
In possession of all their faculties the William
son family would surprise DR.. Osler.
At the celebration Of the aged woman's brit
day there present four generations, the oil
est grandchd being 16 years Of age. Mrs. Ha
son Is strong physically and makes regular tri
to church. She sits and knits constantly. II
hair is black in many places and she looks mut