Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-17
Many New Featlres in
Forthcoming Report
Of Commissioner Of Industrial
And Labor Statistics.
Reports Filed by County Attorneys
OF Sagadahoc and York.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting Of Governor and Council
Tuesday, Dec. q, at 10 A. M.

The 23rd annual report of the Bureau
Of Industrial and Labor Statistics
which will be ready for distribution the
first of the year, will, in addition to the
regular work of the department, con-
tain several new features as provided
by the laws of 1909 An interesting
chapter gives in detail all of the facts
in connection with the administration.
duties and expenditures of the "a State
bureaus that are in operation at the
present time. This will be the first
time that a complication of this kind
has ever been given to the public from
any source and it will reveal an
economic condition of affairs far be-
yond the realization of the average
reader.
Another matter of interest is the re-
port of Miss Eva L. ShOrey, special
agent of the bureau, on the industrial
conditions surrounding women wage
workers. 1t will be gratifying to the
friends of our women wage earners to
know that the Investigations made by
Miss Shorcy for the labor department
have led to improved and necessary
sanitary conditions in several in
stances. There is yet. however. a cry
ing necessity for better working con-
ditons and more equitable wages for
this class OF our wage earners.
In 1907 the department made quite an
extensive investigation of the "Oppor-
tunties for new Industries. returns
being received from 81 Of the 521
towns, cities and plantations in the
state. This investigation proved to be
very interesting and of much value. SO
much that it was deemed advisable to
complete the work, which has been
done the present year, returns having
been received from practically all Of
the 15O places not heard from in 1907.
The necessary time and space has
been given to the preparation of di-
rectory of the labor organizations of
the State, showing conditions of trade,
wages, numbers etc.
The investigation covering industrial
3 accidents brings to light a condition of
affairs that in many instances should
receive the consideration of the
legislature There is too small price
placed upon the value of human lives
in industrial occupations and laws
should be passed that will, so far as it
end limb to those who are obliged to
accept employment under conditions
as they exist, or go without it.
Information regarding the deposits
of all valuable and useful minerals in
the state. has been collected. but the
gathering of samples and specimens
has been deferred until such time as
the department has room to arrange
them 50 that they will form an eX-
hibit of the mineral deposits and re-
sources of the State as required by
the law passed in 1909.
Another duty required of the bureau
provides that the commissioner stall
collect. arrange. illustrate, publish and
distribute in this ana other states. au-
thentic information in regard to the
resources and attractions of Maine.
showing the advantages the State has
to offer to manufacturers. capitalists,
summer residents, tourists. farmers
and those seeking employment as farm
laborers The department is not sup
piled with funds sufficient to carry out
the provisions of this law to any
great extent. Viewed from the stand
point CT the department the most
ers to take advantage of the oppor-
tunities the state has t. offer to en-
gage in agriculture. What has been
done in the way of advertising ana
publicity has been along this line. ana
1t Is very gratifying and encouraging
to note that there is an increased
movement toward Maine of people
from other states who have como 10
q realization of the fact that Maine
offers advantages to farmers not eX-
ceeded by any other state.
A special act of the legislature di-
rected the bureau to collect sta
tistics showing the value and extent
of all property in the State owned
by people residing outside of the
State and used exclusively for sum-
mer residential purposes. The re-
suits of this investigation extend to
every city. town and plantation in the
State and the report shows in detail
the facts as they exist in every mu-
nicipality of the State.
The most extensive investigation
carried on by the bureau is the taking
of Il census CT the manufacturing in
dustries of the State. 1t would cost at
least $1,000 to complete this work as
required by the law defining the duties
of the department. so the investigation
is limited to name of manufacturer,
kind of goods manufactured and the
cYaverage numhc" employed annually
Y classified as TO Sex. This work when
completed will he of great value and
will supply need that has always ex-
listed, as 40 such investigation has ever
been made. The census taken by the
government gives 9 genera, idea of the
extent of our principal industries. and
the numbers employed in each particu-
lar industry. taken as whole. The
canvass made by the State will show