The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-02-05
THE WORK OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRI
CULTURE.
Bill to Enlarge His Duties to Make
Him Also Commissioner of La
bor-Other Matters.

Columbia, S. c., Feb. 4.-The leg
islature resumed on Tuesday after a
recess for salesday.
The joint assembly which was to
have met on Tuesday night did not
convene on account Of the adjourn
ment of the house in respect to the
memory of Representative Clark, Of
Florence county, who died on Mon
day.
Mr.. Clark was serving his first term
in the legislature, and his death was
quite sudden, and great shock to his
fellow members. This makes two
deaths in the legislature since the ses-
sion began and both from Florence
county, the other being Senator Glib
son.
Both houses have been Very busy
with routine work during the week.
Probably one Of the most import
ant measures presented is the bill OF
Senator Weston to enlarge the pow
ers and duties Of the commissioner OF
agriculture. by which he is to have
charge of collecting data in regard to
manufacturing enterprises. The bill
is a substitute for one introduced by
Mr.. Weston to provide for a commlS-
sioner of labor. It is of sufficient I'M
portance to give the main features as
follows:
l. The commissioner shall collect,
assert Systematically and present IN
a report to the governor on or before
the 10th day Of January Of each year:
who shall transmit to the general as
sembly statistical details relating to
all departments Of labor in this State,
such as the hours of labor, cost of liv-
ing, amount of labor required, esti-
mated number of persons depending
on daily labor for their support.
These statistics are classified as
follows:
l. In agriculture.
2. In manufacturing and mechanical
industries.
3. In transportation.
i. In clerical and all other skilled
and mskilled labor not above enum-
Grated.
5. The amount Of capital invested in
lands, buildings, machinery, material
and means of production and distrl-
button generally.
6. The number, age, sex and condl-
ton of persons employed; the nature
Of their employment, the number OF
hours Of labor per day and the wages
received in each Of the industries and
employments enumerated.
7. The sanitary conditions of fac
tories, foundries, machine shops, mer-
camille establishments and all other
places where five or more people are
employed as laborers.
8. The number, condition and ma
ture of employment of the inmates
of the State prison, county Jalls and
reformatory institutions and to what
extent their employment comes IN
competition with the labor OF artl-
zans and laborers outside Of these IN
stitutions.
3. All such other information IN re-
iation to labor as may seem advisable
to further the object sought to be oo-
rained by this act.
The bill provides for an anHr"i
submitting Of schedule to the maui
acer or owner Of every manufacturing
establishment in the State, .embodH-
ing inquiries as follows:
|. Name of person, partnership Or
corporation.
2 Kinds of goods manufactured or
business done.
3. Number Of partners or stockholc
erS.
t. Capital invested
). Average number of persons en-
ployed, distinguishing as to SEX
adults and children.
6. Total wages not including salar-
les of managers paid during the year,
distinguishing as to sex, adults and
;i!;ldren.
The following exactions upon the
commissioner are placed in the bill:
1.-The owner, operator or manager
Of every establishment which Is en-
:: yr,l in manufacturing shall answer
lie inquiries theron for the -
months, November l to October 81