The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-12-03


which simplifies procedure and great
ly reduces costs by permitting actions
for damages to be brought in state
or district courts.
Old Age Pensions.
While the principle of providing
pensions for public service employees
has long been established in such
states as Massachusetts and New
Jersey the Review states that the
American legislatures have not yet
accepted the principle Of industrial
old age pensions. A bill, based upon
a careful preliminary study of ex-
listing systems of industrial pensions
in other countries, was presented in
NASSAU husetts but was defeated
New Jersey. however, has provided
for commission to report a bill
in 1911.
Hours of Labor.
An amendment to the federal eight
hour law of 1892 definitely brings
construction work on navy vessels
within operation of the law. BY an
act which promises to be enforceable
the eight hour day Is established on
public works in Kentucky. Attempts
to restrict the hours Of labor for
women in Ohio were unsuccessful
| but In New York and Virginia eff
forts to extend the working day by
special exemption for certain oc-
equations were defeated. Legisla-
, ton affecting the hours and work.
ing conditions Of children was en-
Of Columbia. The night messenger
81 -
| in several states, and in New Jersey
a long struggle to prohibit the night
| work of children met with final sue
| cess.
Health and Safety.
1.-The widespread discussion of COM
pensation for injured workmen has
| emphasized anew the Importance Of
the prevention of accidents In
terstate railroads are to be more care
l. fully equipped with safety devices,
and in Ohio and Virginia cars must
be constructed to provide greater
| protection for workmen.
The Cherry mine disaster evidently
stimulated Illinois to enact a. most
| elaborate law concerning systems of
ire extinction in mines, signals, care
| OF stables, and storage Of fodder. In
! addition three mine rescue stations
are to be established in the state. In
| kentuckM mine inspectors are pro-
V1ded with oxygen helmets and other
! llte-saVing apparatus. The federal
| government has also established a
| Bureau Of Mines with several rescue
| stations.
The. health of employees in fact
cries received considerable attention.
Workers exposed to the humidity of
textile factories In Massachusetts,, to
the injurious dusts in New York
factories, to Industrial diseases in
Illinois, and to the long hours and
low wages In the steel industry, will
all receive better protection because
OF the legislation of this year.
| Trade Disputes
On the subject of trade disputes
a. swarm of bills were introduced
and defeated.
| The method of the Canadian In
dustrial Disputes Investigation Act
has been frequently recommended,
but bills modelled on this law have
invariably failed to pass. Massachu-
sets, however, has this year required
| employers who advertise for help
when strike is on, to state that fact
in the advertisement. Laws recog-
nlzing the union label were enacted
in Maryland and South Caroline.
! Unemployment.
| NO legislation exists in this coun-
try for the direct relief of unem-
ployment," says this Review. In
Massachusetts bill providing funds
Tor construction or repair work dur
Ing times of Industrial depression
was defeated. The establishment OF
free employment offices In Baltimore
and in the cities Of New Jersey was
defeated, while the federal regula-
ton of employment bureaus with
special reference to those dealing
with immigrants has been urged up-
on congress with no better results
Stricter regulations as to fees and
records in employment bureaus were
put In force In New York and Vir-
gin1a, and in Massachusetts a. com
mission has been appointed to study
the workings Of both public and pri.
vate agencies
Immigration.
VI the greatest importance in this
1leld, is the New York Bureau of In.
dustries and immigration established
this year within the State Department,
of Labor. The Bureau will have
power to investigate the demand 70,
and possible supply of alien labor, t.
inspect all labor camps, to ascertain
the conditions of employment, anG
to aid in the best placement of sucl
labor Among the specific duties re-
quired are: the inspection of pril
anthropic, employment and contract
labor agencies dealing with tn,
employment or distribution O
aliens; the gathering of informa
ton concerning deportable aliens /,
prisons and asylums and the assist
ance In their deportation; co-opera
ton with other authorities in pro
tecting the immigrant against fraut
and extortion by private bankers
notaries public, and in connection
with transportation and landing fac
1lities. The Bureau must also secur
! ~ o1oka &~k