Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-06-03

bNtl1 ldkAOlg NM VI WI heAAPB
where machinery is used and manual
labor Is exercised i'm the way of trade
for the purpose of gain"
The above words In the sanitary
section of the law are relied on to
give the labor commissioner the
broad drag-net sweep by which he
could include almost everything that
Is done with power of any kind to
drive the smallest machine, or even
a jewelers. watch drill. The law is
vicious and should be tested in the
courts and knocked out and made to
confine IT'S operations to mills and
factories with at least ten-horsepower
and employing five or more persons.
No Printing Office Accidents.
mr. Hoff tells of accidents in mills
and factories but nowhere of acci-
dents i'm printing offices. The Capt.
tai journal believes in the rigid en-
forcement of the factory inspection
act where there Is dangerous ma
chinery to inspect. The law is
wise one II II Is confined to its or
iginal intention and legitimate pur-
pose but the newspapers of the state
in their own interest and In the pro-
lection of. the public generally will
resist the extension of these inspec-
! tions TO every little power-uslng
plant. This tax does not go into the
public treasury. It does not benefit
| the taxpayer but the bureau, which
! like all other bureaus Is busy ex-
tending it's operations on every CON
ceivable direction, and the time has
come TO fight the self-extending graft.
| Let stop be put TO the multlform
! systems OF collecting money off the
citizen. from the ragged boy wander
| ing by the tiny broOlSlet 60 the pro-
prIetor of the biggest sawmill and
owners of herds and flocks.
Opinions of the Press.
The Capital Journal Is I'm receipt OF
a great many newspaper clippings and
letters from editors who are opposed
to the extension OF this tax TO one
press printing offices. We have not
/ room TO print them all but append a
! few samples for what they are worth.
I We do not endorse the severe COM
ments on Mr.. loft. who Is doubtless
trying 10 enforce what he considers
good law, and for this we do not
blame him personally, But no re-
form is possible I'm this matter with
out exposing It's workings and con-
demning the practices growing up un-
der Il. We print the following letter
from the editor of the oregon City
Enterprise, n newspaper office that
uses power presses. has linotypes and
does binding:
Oregon City, June i.-Mr. II. Ho-
fer. Editor Capitai Journal, Salem,
Or. Dear Sir:-We are In receipt OF
circular letter from Mr. Hoff, state
labor commissioner. which we are en-
closing. and which you may find OF
interest.
We certainly think Il is stretching
Il little bit 10 Impose charge
against newspapers and printing Of
fices for inspection fees.
Very truly yours.
OREGON CITY ENTERPRISE.
by Edward II. Brodie"
From Union County.
Geo, A, Sciblrd, edlGor OF the IN
ion Republican. has the following 10
say on the subject:
The Salem Capital Journal is go
ing after the state inspection graft
as applied TO printing offices. and
deals out some facts along this line
that are refreshing and timely. An
inspection law that was designed TO
apply 20 factories and mills, where
there Is an element of danger TO en-
ployes, appears 20 have been extended
In its scope To include printing Offices
and may be further advanced to in
clude sewing machines, typewriters
and fountain pens. To the average
owner OF a one-horse print shop this
inspection, so far AS II applies 70 such
offices, seems useless and a public
levy upon an industry that does not
need inspection. The Capital Journal
is doing the country press of the state
favor by entering a protest and at
tempting 20 protect those who have
been 'stung' by this sort OF public
graft"
Douglas County Speaks.
Editorial by Il. w. Bates In the
umpqua Valley (Roseburgl News;
20. p. Hoff. state labor commits
sioner, informs the News that The
Daily Capital Journal of Salem is the
only newspaper in Marion county
that has failed To pay its inspection
fees after repeated notifications In
answer We can only say. good for The
Journal. IL is pity that all the
newspapers, not only In Marion coun-
" but throughout the state. have
not nerve equal 10 that OF The Jour
nal ne law was doubtlessly ere
ated for political effect by and
through lawmakers who rarely toll
and never span. IL permits graft
without compensating returns, and
while there might be an excuse for
the inspection in large factories and
mills, t,.ere is no more need of Il in
IA printing office than there is for
a bull in a china shop. There is no
sympathy TO be wasted on Mr.. Hoff
or the states labor bureau. but there
is commendatiOn for Mr. Hofer. The
publisher pays his share without the
contribution asked 10 pay the salar-
les of the officials OF the bureau and
Mr.. Hoff, their collector. With prop
erty taxes, occupation taxes, church
contributions, charitable donations