The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-04-09

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count of what the government has
been doing the last two years for the
working class in the way OF labor
laws has been issued by the United
State Bureau of Labor. in Bulletin
No. IS.
The report Is for the years 1908
and 1900. and tells that commissions
to investigate the liability of employ
ers dor injuries to their employees and
better methods Of compromising en-
ployes tor the results of industrial
accidents were appointed in Mime
sofa and New York, while Wisconsin
had q similar body at work under an
earlier. appo1n&ment.
The New York commission was
directed to consider also the subject
of unemployment and a better dis
tdbution of labor. while another COM
mission was instructed by law Of
this state to Investigate the condi-
ton, welfare, and industrial oppor-
tunities of its alien population. ILL.,
dnois has a commission at work on
regulations relating to factories and
mercantile establishments, while Ari-
iona, Illinois and Ohio assigned the
conditions and regulation of mine
labor to commissions for investiga-
ton and report.
Things That Were Done.
Among these accomplishments are
more than fifty laws that were passed
by the legislatures Of various states
within the past two years regu-
lating the conditions of employment
in factories and mercantile establish
ments and making provision for ip-
spection laws providing for g. higher
standard of ventilation In workrooms,
floor space and requiring artificial
ventilation where necessary, were
passed in Oklahoma and South Caro-
lima providing for systems of factory
inspection.
Under the South Carolina law two
inspectors examine provisions for
safety and sanitation and make in
vestigations as to the employment of
women and children. A New York
law adds to the department of labor
a bureau of mercantile inspection for
the inspection of mercantile estab-
lishments in cities of the first class.
A novel law was enacted in Okla
homa, prohibiting the sending Of
workmen into steam boilers, fire
boxes, ETC., before the steam is ex-
hausted or the fire drawn.
Safety Laws for Mines.
The safety Of employees in mines is
the subject of a number of laws. The
increasing employment Of electricity
for lighting and other uses in mines
received attention in Idaho, Ohio and
Oklahoma, where proper insulation
and other precautions are prescribed
Safety lamps, explosives and blasting,
ventilation, inspection, and the ex-
clusion of intoxicants and intoxicated
persons are features Of several laws
relating to mines. A number of states
require mine employers to secure
certificates of competency before be.
ing employed.
The New York legislature enacted
! law, the first of it's class in the
! United States, governing the employ
| ment of workmen in mines and tun
nels where compressed air is used
the hours of labor per day are regu
lated according to the degree of all
pressure. and provision is male
against too sudden changes from thu
place Of work to the open air; meii
cal examinations prior to employ
|ment or unemployment after an alb
sence Of three or more days, as vel
as after each three months continu
GUS employment, are prescribed
Law Against Tips.
The giving of commission o.
bonus to domestic servants or other!
making purchases for their employ
ers Is made an offense in New Jerse,
and Washington, the receiving of tip!
by walters in hotels and restaurant
and the giving Of such tips being al
so prohibited in the latter state.
Principal laws were enacted in te,
states, four of them Mississippi
North Dakota, Oklahoma and Wash
ington) being first enactments on tn,
subjects covered, while in the othe
six cases (Kansas, Kentucky, Louis
lana, Michigan. Pennsylvania ant
Virginia) the statutes supercede prio
enactments.
The laws relate to age limit, hour
of labor, prohibited employments
compulsory school attendance, certifi
cation, registry, and all the provision
that have been found valuable in tn,
matter of the regulation of the EN-
ployment of women and children.
Laws That Are Funny.
Laws that are extremely funn,
! when considering the imDOssibilitv n