Morgan County republican., 1909-08-19
STATE CAPITAL NOTES
Law Reaulatina 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 fo'
such q concern to exact fee and
keen 1t 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 sucn
an agency and pay 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 J. c. A. Hitler
has already taken steps to see that
the new law is complied with, as he
will enforce 1t 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 IL
censes from fee employment agencies,
pass on the same and approve all
bonds, which fully meet all require
ments. The new section exacts a H.
cense fee for the state Of $50 per
annum from all such agencies in
cities Of $4,000 inhabitants and over,
and fee 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 fee 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 stats.
woman applies for work the agent
may charge no more than 81 as a
filing fee and must give 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 one
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. VI. 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 $1,000. Hcadquar-
ters have not yet been selected, but
five cities are bidding for them. They
are Kansas City, St Louis, St. Joseph,
Springfield and Cape Grardeau. Until
final selection is made, the office
of the commission will be in st. Louis.
Attorney General Major has ruled
that the commission, under the pro-
vision contained in the bill creating
1t, requiring the confirmation by the
senate of the commissioners before
they have legal status. can not draw
any of the $4,000 appropriated for
its support. AS the next senate does
not meet for nearly year and a
half, the effect Of this ruling would be
to practically nullify the commission.
The commissioners insist that q
broader construction should be placed
upon the act than this, and are pro.
ceeding accordingly. II is apparent
however. that they will not be able
10 draw any money from the state
treasury unless the matter is decid
ed In their favor by the supreme
court, as both the treasurer and the
auditor will have to abide by the rul.
Ing of the attorney general, he being
under the constitution their legal all
wiser.
The unfortunate phraseology Of the
law is very likely to make the com
mission a nominal one until the next
legislature meets.
Farmers In Closed Session.
Thirty-five of the Ia counties l,