Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1910-03-31

ne country during the last two years.
Dior legislation of this sort Is col
lected in the Twenty-second Annual
kenort of the Commissioners OF Labor
this bulletin being, in effect. a sup
element to that report.
besides reproduction of the laws,
tbe hulletin presents review OF the
nrincinal features of the statutes OF
iao8 The tendency of labor legisla-
zion TO conform to a standard, which
10 heing raised from year to year,
and a consequent increasing UNIFORM
itv in the provisions 0f such legisla-
tiou. are clearly in evidences.
Civ state commissions to study spe-
o,fc conditions and draft laws or sug-
post amendments to existing laws In
accordance with the findings OF the
Investigations were appointed in the
iast two years. Commissions to in
vestigate the liability of employers
for Injuries to their employees and
hotter methods of compromising en-
nlovees for the results of Industrial
accidents were appointed In New
York and Minnesota, while .W1scon-
sin had similar body at work under
an earlier appointment. The cooper
ation of these commissions, THOUGH
not at all provided for in the laws
cyeating them. has been practical
economy in the mater OF conducting
Investigations, as we'll as affording
Grounds for a belief that the results
will no the recommendation OF fairly
Uniform laws on this important and
nrnssing subject. The New York
commission was directed to consider
also the subject of unemployment
and a better distribution Of labor,
while another commissian was in
structed by 4 law of this State to in
vestigate the condition. welfare and
Industrial opportunities OF It's alien
nopulation. Illinois has a commits
sion at work on regulations relating
to factories and mercantile establish
ments. while Arizona. Illinois, and
Ohio assigned the conditions and reg
sulatfon of mine labor to commissions
for Investigation and report. s
That the employers liability
bill is the subject of an increasing
degree Of attention appears not only
from the appointment Of commissions
but from actual legislation as well.
Five States, michigan, Texas, ldano },
Maine, and New Jersey and the Phil
mine Islands passed laws affecting
employers liability directly; while In
Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts. Mis-
-issippi, Ohio, and South Dokota the
customary defenses of employers In
suits for damages by injured en-
ployees, i. e.. fellow-service, assumed
risks, and contributory negligence OF
the employer, with a corresponding
award of damages, has been incor-
porated in the laws OF Texas, iowa.
and Ohio, and in modified form IN
the Georgia statute.
Within the purpose of this class of
laws, but proceeding on different
principle, is statute of Montana that
provides for state cooperative in
surance fund to be maintained by
; coal-mine operators and their en-
ployces and administered by state
officials. Payments in case OF death
and of a permanent disability are to
be made from this fund by award,
no action of law being necessary. In
fact the commencement OF a suit at
law is made to forfeit the right to
benefits under the act, though the law
of liability is in no wise affected by
the new provision. ~.
More than fifty seperate laws were
passed by the legislatures Of var
ious States within the past two years
regulating the conditions of employ
: ment in factories and mercantile es-
adjustments and making provisions
for inspection. Laws providing for q
higher standard of ventilation IN
workrooms, based on ratio of window
area to floor space and requiring ar
tificial ventilation where necessary
were passed in Illinois and Minnesota
New laws, were passed in Oklahoma
and South Carolina providing for sys-
tens of factory inspection. Under
the south Carolina law two inspectors
examine; provisions for safety and
sanitation and make Investigations
as to the employment of women and
children. A New York law adds tc
the department of labor a bureau Of
mercantile inspection for the inspec'
ton of mercantile establishments II
cities of the first class. A novel law
was enacted in Oklahoma, prohibit
Ing the sending Of workmen intt
steam boilers. fire boxes, ETC.. before
the steam is exhausted or the ffrt
drawn,
Massachusetts enacted a new Law
requiring the water used for humidi
lying the aid in the workrooms to b
SO pure assnot to give rise to impure
or foul odors and to be used in sucl
q manner. as not to endanger thu
health of employees. Laws that ar
DOUBTLESS the result of the active eff
T lortto securepure food are those tina
apply to bakeries. candy factories
and establishments generally wher'
tcod products are manufactured
stored, or handled. Cleanliness OF
tne part Of employees. as we'll as o
the rooms, utensils, and all surround
lhgs; prescribed sanitary arrange
ments, the unemployment of work
men affected with infectious or con
.aglous diseases. and regulationsg q
70 garments and sleeping rooms Far
among the provisions of this Iegisla
oon. enacted in whole or in part i
Sallfornia, Indiana. Nebraska. Nel