The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-05
follows the wake Of intelligent organi-

follows the wake of intelligent organi-
Strikes OF the Year.
Again we are able to report that the
number of strikes and industrial contro-
versies during the year ia this state
have been very few ia number. Our
state has been singularly fortunate in
that respect as only sixteen strikes oc-
CURED during the year that are of sIfti-
cient consequence TO merit notice al
this time. These strikes were of short
duration and distributed through var
iOus avocatiOns. The number settled
successful were seven, partially success
ful g. unsuccessful 3. The causes lead
ing up to these strikes may be divided
as follows:
For an increase in wages l. demand
ing a contract and recognition 3, rein
statement of discharged employees a, the
right to organize ?, Tor q shorter work
day 2 on account OF a breach of con-
tract by employers A. The total mum
Der of members involved was l'2i3i
total number of days lost account OF
strikes was 11.7SO. Thus We see that
when compared with our wage earning
population the small number in contro-
versy is insignificant and indicates the
peaceful and prosperous conditions dur
ing the past year"
Some Advance Statistics.
Mr. Johnson states that his forthcom-
ing report viii contain a report on the
condition Of manufacturing industries
of the state. He gives the following ad-
vance information about its contents:
THE cost of materials used IN these
manufacturing establishments for 1903
was S155, SAC, 449, or an increase in the
materials used over 1900 of 291 per cent
The value of products including custom
work and repairing for the year 1908
was the splendid sum of S197. 394 992 or
an increase over 1900 of 282 per cent
These figures evidence the fact that
Kansas is no longer to be considered
wholly as an agricultural state, but that
our various divisions of wealth produc-
ton should be set forth for the year
1905 somewhat after this fashion.
Total value of all agricultural
products, $23S,S1S, 665.
Total value Of live stock as per as
SCISSORS report for 1905, S169,821,157.
Total value of products manufac-
tured, S197 1874 1872.
Estimated value of output of coal
ESTIMATED value of zinc and lead, S.
600. 0OO'
Want Additional Factory Inspectors.
In speaking of the needed legislation
for the benefit of labOring men, Mr..
johnson said:
we need and must have additional
factory inspectors in order to carry out
the law as now provided. It is a physi-
cal impOssibility for the present factory
inspection force to perform the duties
incumbent upon the factory inspection
department i'm addition to the unlimited
duties deVOlving upon the bureau In the
matter of the collection and the COM
pilation Of statistics, the enforcement
Of labor laws. the investigation Of
strikes and labor difficulties, and other
numerous duties which are incumbent
upon the bureau in the original act. This
matter is respectfully referred for your
action and Instructions TO the legislative
COMMITTEES.
..There viii, no doubt, be a number
of other bills come up for endorsement
and legislative action and your atten-
ton is called to the danger Of too many
labor measures of unimpOrtant charac-
ter. Our best friends in the senate and
I house have constantly warned your leg
/ islative committee of this danger. 1t IS
1 better to secure a few highly important
/ beneficial measures and be in posi-
ton to concentrate the influences of youl
4 committee on such measures rather
/ than to present a large number of un-
important measures and thereby divide
/ the time and efforts of your committee
ard ultimately fail in securing any prac'
/ teal results.
Enforcement of Labor Laws.
! I'm the enforcement OF labor laws tht
] duties of the bureau have been largely
/ augmented by the enactment of tbs
+ child labor law, scaffolding law and
various other laws pertaining to tbs
/ protection of the working classes. The
I eight hour law. however, continues Il
claim the largest share of attention II
/ this. respect. The benehcent effect o.
the law has been applied during the pas
year in something like so cases and ex
/ tending its benefits to 1859 men. This
means that that number of men were
given the benefit of a shorter work da!
and an increase earning power in thu
+ current rate per diem for eight hours
1t also means the employment of 20 pc
/ cent more men to complete the Same
/ amount of work during a given time.
1.-THE enactment of the child labor Law
/ at the last session of the Legislature
has proven a lasting benefit as is evi
+ denced by the fact that in the packing
houses and other manufacturing indus
tries more than 500 children have beer
excluded from such work by reason o
/ being under age"