The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-08-18
AN UNRULyMEMbER
All Seems Not Harmonious In
the Democratic Camp.
Labor Commissioner Williams
Causes a Disc0rd.
In Governor John Johnson's
Own Official Family.
He Insists on Publishing the
State Labor Statistics.

CWlH ClCy cACHdHSC.
A black spot is looming upon the hor-
lion, and it threatens to become cloud
of destroying proportions.
The state labor department, of which
w. w. Williams, of Minneapolis, the
only Hearst man in the administration
is the head, is the trouble breeder, and
all because Mr.. Williams insists on be-
ing active.
Commissioner Williams has two hob
bies, the state free employment bureau
and the enforcement of the child labor
laws. Forgetful of the fact that the de-
partment is a political adjunct to an ad-
ministration rather than corrective
one, Williams, in his political ignorance,
has been busy and some of the abuses
that he unearthed have not been to the
liking of Gov. johnson and his advisors.
Despite statements of predecessors,
Mr.. Williams found that the child labor
laws were being defed to an amazing
extent, statistics procured by him
showing that the employment of chill
dren, and that during the school year,
was on the increase
Tremble for st. Paul Schools.
This might seem all right, but this in
crease was found to have made it's big
gest stride during the first six months
of Gov. Johnson's administration. This
break might have been overlooked and
Williams forgiven, but his activity took
even further liberties and it was found
to involve the st. Paul democratic ad-
ministration.
Children of school age, according to
their possession personal letters, signed
in some cases by School Superintendent
Smith, and in others by Assistant Su-
perintendent Bond, designed to more
readily secure them employment. They
were in the nature of personal permits.
Williams says he tried to secure from
the school authorities the names of
those carrying such letters, but his ac-
tivity was frowned upon, and he had to
put inspectors to work on the records
No assistance, he told friends, was given
him whatever, in fact, attempts were
made to hamper his work.
Wanted to Publish.
When the compilation of child labor
statistics was completed, Williams, in
his political ignorance-at least that is
the way one administration official puts
it, attempt to have the whole put in
to book form as 3 department docu-
ment, but in that he was thwarted.
Whatever the influence, Williams APP
peals to the printing commissions to
have the figures printed were met with
rebuffs.
"I'll have those statistics printed and
circulated, if I have to pay the bill out
of my own pocket" he told friends the
other day. "This office is no political
adjunct to any administration and the
quicker they find it out the BETTER
Williams further limited to friends
that his department has been made
Political Dumping Ground
in the shape of administration friends,
whose only busy moment is when they
draw their salary. His two hobbies
consume most of his own time and he
declares the regular state inspection
work of the department has only been
accomplished by much prodding.
Labor Commissioner Williams APP
pointment was a sop to the Hearst wing
of the state democratic party, and, from
all accounts, has never been success,
as viewed by the administration He
was the only member of that contingent
given a state office and the gift had
string tied to it in the shape of res
ervation, which allowed the adminstra-
ton to fill the places under Mr. Will
liams.
Commissioner Williams in airing his
grievance before a group of Hearst fol
lowers in Minneapolis, the other day, is
reported to have said that he did not
expect reappointment in the event Gov
Johnson should be re elected
Boys, l guess 1 am due for the can,"
he is credited with saying. They don't
seem to like my way of working"
The refusal to print the child labor
statistics, which Williams has compiled
is explained by members of the printing
commission on the ground that the law
provides for a biennial report from that
department and not an annual report.
Williams wants to- make a annual re-
port.
The whole thing is looked upon by
some members of Gov. Johnson's politi-
cal family as an ordinary domestic jar,
but there are others who scent trouble
Williams has considerable following
in Hennepin county who do not feel any
too kindly toward the administration, it