Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-05
Names Labor Laws.

Such labor laws as are now in force
in Maine, were placed on the statute
books by Republicans 1t is we'll for
the laboring men to consider this fact
when our Democratic friends are en-
deavoring to get votes by posing as the
friends of labor The Legislature has
not convened since the bureau of labor
was established in 1887, when some
representative Democrat has not stood
ready to introduce a bill to abolish
that department. Such a bill is in the
record of Senator Staples of Knox.
Such a bill was introduced at the last
session by Representative Pattangall
of Waterville. Further than that, Mr..
Pattangall has persistently advocated
the abolition of the labor bureau with
his pen and with his voice.
Commissioner Lyons of the bureau,
within few months has brought about
a settlement between the employees of
the International Paper Company and
their employers. The strike which had
been in progress two months, threaten
ed to permanently cripple the paper in
dustry in Maine and destroy the pros
perity of the flourishipg paper mill
towns The paper workers were in sore
straits and the outlook was anything
but bright. Under the settlement. a
new era for organized labor and the
paper industry was inaugurated. The
workers are happy and the employers
are we'll satisfied with the outcome.
Contrary to common report. con-
trary to general belief perhaps. con-
trary, certainly, to the statements OF
Names detractors. Maine. the conser-
vative old Pine Tree State, stands very
well among the states of this country
in labor legislation. This has been
brought about through the persistent
work of the head of the labor depart
ment, the untiring efforts of the legls-
lative committee of the Maine State
branch of the American Federation of
Labor and the whole hearted aid OF
the leaders of the Republican party Ii
the Republican party is to be credited
Democracy objects, then it is also to
be credited with that to which the De-
mocracy does not object, for the Re-
publican party has had working ma
jority in every Maine Legislature since
the State began to adopt labor laws. 1t
should be stated, in all fairness. how
ever, that labor has some friends
among the Democratic members. but as
thew have been in the minority, credit
for whatever has been. accomplished by
the majority, does not rightfully belong
to them.
The session of 1909, in which the
House was made up of two Republi-
can members for every Democrat and
in which the Senate was made up OF
four Republicans to every Democrat
will go down in history as the greatest
labor session since Maine became
State, with the possible exception OF
the famous labor session of 1887. In
1909 the laws relating to the employ
| ment of children in mills were
strengthened by authorizing truant Of
ficers to enter mills to search out chill
dren working contrary to law; the ed
ucational test, whereby children must
at least be able to read. write and fig
ure, was enacted and the law making
So hours the limit for the employment
of women and minors in factories dur
ing single week was put on the
statute books. bill completely re-
vising the work of the labor depart
ment was given passage. The law
was amended so that not only the
commissioner, but any authorized
agent of the bureau may enter any
manufacturing establishment, A CEN
sus of the manufacturing industries OF
this state was provided for. Measures
were taken to provide for returns and
an investigation into those accidents
in our manufacturing enterprises
which are making wrecks of so many
of our best working men and impov-
Crushing so many families. Provision
was made for advertising the resources
and attractions of the State. the OPP
porturities Maine offers for new cap
ital and new blood, and the wonder
full productivity of Maine farms; and
finally Republican Legislature grant
ed an increased appropriation to car
ry on the important work.
Maine today has one of the best
laws relating to the trustee process
of any now in force In the United
States BY it the poor workingman' S
wages to the amount of $40 are exempt
and it is no longer possible for attor-
neys to pile up costs until the victims
wages for weeks are swallowed up.
The Maine law on this subject is but
an exemplification of the policy of the
Dop,bIioan ,artxr toward la hpr