The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-12-27
Prominent Economists, So
biologists, Scientists, Edu-
Gators and Labor Leaders
In a Convention.
UNUSUAL INTEREST
BEING MANIFESTED
Congress and State Legisla-
lures Will Be Urged to
Take Prompt Action on
Proposed Bills.

ST. Louis. Mo. Dec. Environment
economists. sociologists, scientists,
educators and labor leaders from all
over tho country are gathering here
20 attend the convention of the Amer
ican Economic association, American
Association for Labor Legislation,
American Statistical association,
American Political Science associa-
tion. American Sociological society
and the American Home Economic
association. which opens in this city
tonight and closes on Friday.
Unusual interest Is manifested in
the sessions of the American Associa-
tion for Labor Legislation, where res
olutions will be adopted urging action
BY congress and the various state leg
islatures on their legislative program
which includes the prohibition Of poi.
Sonous phosphorus In the manufact-
ure of matches: investigation of in
dustrial injuries. and the enforcement
OF labor laws.
Expect Prompt Action.
I'VE feel confident that prompt ac-
tion will be taken on some Of these
matters" said John II. Andrews, sec
rotary OF the organization today.
"rhe association at the present time
has a bill before congress which Is
designed to put prohibitive revenue
tax upon matches made with poison
ous phosphorus. and as President Taft
has urged legislation on this subject
In his annual message. we feel sure
congress will pass the measure. Nine
European countries prohibit the use OF
this phosphorus. and the United
States should certainly fall In line.
"A special committee appointed by
the president Of our organization TO
Investigate Industrial diseases, has
made It's report to President Taft.
with strong recommendations for Il
and we will urge congressional action
on this matter.
Through our various state branch
cs, We will urge more efficient sys-
tenn OF factory inspection, uniform
workmen's compensation act, and
more efficient systems for the report
ing OF industrial accidents in the var
ious states
In speaking OF the purpose OF the
organization. Mr.. Andrews said:
Our cry Is not more laws but bet.
ter laws. The United States is about
one generation behind Europe In its
labor legislation. and we have. there
fore. the opportunity to profit by their
mistakes. We are studying this prob.
lem purely from the standpoint of
health. Ii n man or woman Is COM
PEELED to work In an unsanitary fac.
tory II is certain to have an effect on
future generations.
4 Must BE Corrected.
'Tt Is necessary that these condi.
tions be corrected. Occasionally one
finds humane employer. who would
like to givc his men better surround.
ings and provide some sort of com.
pensation In case of injury. but he is
unable to do II on account of competi-
tion. Many state legislatures are
afraid to enact labor laws on account
that they will move their factories in.
to another state where the laws are
less stringent.
Our organization Is gradually rem.
edying these conditions by getting uni
form legislation In the various states
I'VE arc branch of the Interna.
tion Association for Labor Legislation
which has an admirably equipped la
bor bureau at Basil. Switzerland, fol
the purpose of studying labor condi
tions all over the world. AS mem
ber of this body. we are entitled to
the results of their experiments
which are exceedingly valuable
The American Association for Labor
Legislation has about 1000 members
from every section of the country. and
representing almost every profession
The program for the coming meet
ing provides for a joint session with
the American Sociological society and
American Statistical association on
Wednesday evening. December 2S. a
which addresses will be delivered by
Prof. Henry w. Farnum. OF Yale Uni
versity. president American Associa
tion for Labor Legislation. Prof
Franklin II. Giddings. Columbia Uni
versity. president American Sociologi
cal society. and Mr.. Frederick L. Hon
man Of the Prudential Insurance com
pany. vice president of the American
Statistical association.
A Business Meeting.
The annual business meeting and
the meeting OF the general admins
trative council will be held Thursday
morning. and the afternoon session