Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-17
VIOLATIONS OF LABOR LAW
Women Are Worked Longer Hours
Than the Law Permits.
MATTER PROMPTLY ADJUSTED
Pure Food Commissioners Visits
Omaha Butcher shops and I'm the
Main Finds Them to Be
Sanitary.

partment stores, some of whom were said
to be ignoring, in the case of a few women,
the ten-hour law as applied to female labor
in Nebraska.
1T was what we may call a Cancellation
conference" said the commissioner. Call
Ing the managers of the big concerns into
the offices OF County Attorney English,
they were informed that complaints, more
or less definite, had been made. Then
came explanations OF conditions, principal
among which was an admission that vol
untary agreements had been entered into
between girls and their employers by
which the girls we're released for several
hours, perhaps, on certain days, and made
up the time on Saturday.
I'VE quoted the decision of the supreme
court recently written by Justice Brewer
in an Oregon cases, where 1t was held that
no employe is competent to make any con-
tract or arrangement for work or hours
in conflict with state laws. The arrange
ment heretofore operating in some of the
stores was held by Mr.. English and my
self to be unlawful, and It was also pointed
out that where the law is strictly com
piled with no dissatisfaction exists.
siIek May ct Pardon. -
''The final result was that those man
ayers in whose stores the rules have not
been definite and certain agreed that women
employees hereafter will not be allowed to
work over ten hours. The word must will
govern the matter.
I'VE have had complaints of others than
department stores on this matter of over
working female employees as to length of
hours, but these have been easily straight
ened out. After all. It is the public that
is to blame. even more than store manag-
ers. and It is the public, largely the work.
ingman part of it., that makes Saturday
night a hell on earth for tired clerks. II
the stores we're open until midnight Satur-
day some people would be in them, but 1
cannot suggest a way out, except by a
general change Of pay day and the aboli-
ton of the time-honored, hilarious aStur-
day night"
Jesse c. Slick of Omaha, who walks the
streets in constant fear that he will be
returned to the penitentiary to serve out
an unexpired term imposed upon him in
1872, will shortly nave his suspense ended.
His application for a pardon has been
heard by Governor Sheldon and Slick has
won first round.
Deputy Attorney Grant Martin today rec
commended that the pardon be granted.
Sticks story is an unusual one. when
10 years old he was convicted of stealing
SOAAO 1AOANe VA1S Noo AOW-
ever. by the owners. Judge Baxter, then
on the district bench, gave him one year,
the minimum sentence under the law. After
serving eight months and eleven days Sill
lex had a fight with some one at the
prison and other convicts told him that II
would cost him his good time. He was a
trusty then and escaped. He Joined the
army and served three years and eight
months, having now two discharges after
honorable service. One year he spent with
the army In the Philippines.
Upon his second discharge Slick went
? went back to Omaha and recently married
He is employed as a teamster and is known
: to the police. but since his return to
: the state no effort has been made tc
: return him to the penitentiary. He would
have to serve less than two months tC
satisfy the law.
Application was made for a pardon on
e the ground that Slick had lived an homes
n life since escaping from prison. had served
in the army and was now the head of
. family and doing well. The governor hai
: the case under advisement.
Report ON Omaha Butcher shops.
8 ]. e. Vogel and Mrs. Harriet MacMur
e ply, pure food inspectors, have made
report on the condition of Omaha anC
9 South Omaha meat shops. which show tn,
Omaha shops are on the whole cleane,
n than Lincoln shops inspected a few day
ago. The South Omaha shops. it is said
y are in better condition than they wer,
n when last inspected. The principal com
e plant is against dirty meat hooks, dirt!
Il beams, unsanitary back rooms and fou
Easements. In some of the places it /
d said chickens are picked and scalded sid
by side with hamburger sausage blocks
d The reports refers to thirteen shops Il
Omaha which are declared to be in al
n u~nsanitary condition. The report say
some of the proprietors seemed to wan
ID to comply with the law after they foun
out what It was, but it says little evldenc
was found that patrons looked over tn
III shops or demanded cleanliness.
Confer ON Union Pacific.
n The Union Pacific Railroad company wa
the subject Of a discussion between Chaii
10 man Winnett of the State Railway commits
u sion and Attorney General Thompson tn
afternoon. The company in it's report hs
re failed to report its earnings and expense
in Nebraska, though 1t has made such
report for it's entire system. The compaI
notified the commission it could not NAL
IN the report desired. The State Railway con
III mission will bring legal proceedings to g.
In the information If there is any way
- do 1t.
Lumber Company Complains.
The c.. N. Dietz Lumber company
"a Omaha has filed a complaint against Il
"a Chicago. st. Paul. Minneapolis & Omaf
an Railroad company for raising its rates {
cement, stone, lumber and commodities
that character between Florence al
- Omaha The matter will be heard by II
n State Railway commission.
- sheldon Goes south.
Governor Sheldon will leave tomorrow +
Greenville. Miss. to look after some pc
sonal business which demands his ate
ton. He expects TO be gone about Of
week
Charter Committee Divided.
The Lincoln charter committee is mu,
divided whether the commission which
to serve the city and manage it's COVER
ment should be paid salaries. Several
the members favor a salary OF $500 eac
while w. e Hardy believes there a
plenty OF men who would serve for not
ing, like a school board. His idea is I