Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-08-19
CAPITAL NOTES
Law Regulating Employment Agency.

Law Regulating Employment Agency.
Among the laws enacted by the
last general assembly is one which
licenses all employment agencies.
placing them under rigid inspection of
the state labor commissioner and
makes it practically impossible for
such a concern to exact a fee and
keep it without carrying out in full
the agreements made with the appli-
cant.
This law goes into effect August is
and contains many other restrictions
intended to protect the interests Of
the unemployed who apply to such
an agency and pay a fee-often the
last dollar between them and starva-
tion-for aid in procuring a situation.
A gilt-edge bond of $500 must be
given by every employment agency
to insure faithful compliance with
all provisions of the new law.
Labor Commissioner ]. G. A. Hitler
has already taken steps to see that
the new law is complied with, as he
will enforce it to the last letter. He
will personally have charge of plac-
ing the new act into force and will,
with the assistance of his superin-
tendents of the state free employment
bureaus in st. Louis, Kansas City and
st. Joseph, receive applications for Ii.
censes from fee employment agencies,
pass on the same and approve all
bonds, which fully meet all require
ments. The new section exacts a Ii
n fee for the state of $50 per
annum from all such agencies in
cities of 10000 inhabitants and over,
and a Zee of $25 to conduct such a
business in cities, towns and villages
of less population. Only agencies
which charge no fee for their service,
such as are run in connection with
labor organizations, charitable, relig-
ious or similar institutions and asso-
Citations are exempt under the law.
Other duties of fe~e-charging agencies
as outlined in the new provision are:
Each agent shall keep a register
in which he must enter the name
and address of every person applying
for help, or for servants, and the ma
ture of the employment. This regis
ter must always be open to inspection
by the commissioner of labor statis-
tics or his deputies. When a mar or
woman applies for work the agent
may charge no more than 81 as a
filing fee and must give a receipt in
writing, dated. If the person fails to
get the employment, which must be
designated on the receipt, he or she
may demand money back within n
month. No employment agency can
be conducted in, or in connection
with, any place where intoxicating
liquors are Sold"
At a meeting of the state board of
immigration organization was per-
fected by the election of the follow
ing officers: j. H. Curran of st. Louis,
chairman; Christopher Manson of Pu-
laski county, secretary, and Thomas
L. Cannon of st. Louis, auditor. Each
will file a bond of S., 900. Headquar-
have not yet been selected, but
five cities are bidding for them. They
are Kansas City, st. Louis, st. Joseph,
Springfield and Cape Girardeau, Until
final selection is made, the office
Of the commission will be in st. Louis.
Attorney General Major has ruled
the commission, under the pro-
vision contained in the bill creating
it, requiring the confirmation by the
senate Of the commissioners before
they have a legal status, can not draw
any of the $4,000 appropriated for
Its support. AS the next senate does
not meet for nearly a year and a
half, the effect of this ruling would be
to practically nullify the commission.
The commissioners insist that a
broader construction should be placed
upon the act than this, and are pro-
ceeding accordingly. 1t is apparent,
however, that they will not be able
to draw any money from the state
treasury, unless the matter is decid-
in their favor by the supreme
court, as both the treasurer and the
auditor will have to abide by the rul-
Of the attorney general, he being,
lnder the constitution, their legal ad-
wiser.
The unfortunate ~phraseology of the
aw is very likely to make the COM
a nominal n until the next
legislature meets.