The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-12-10
STATES ENACTING
MANY LABOR LAWS
MANY STATES IN THE UNION
CONSIDER MUCH IMPORTANT
LABOR LEGISLATION THIS YEAR
SUBJECT is LIVE ONE IN
PUBLIC MIND.

"The continued appointment of
state commissions to study workmens
compensation indicates that the pub
lie has accepted the fact of the in
justice of employers liability law and
is now eager for a workable scheme
of compensation or insurance for in
dustrial accidents" says the Review
of Labor Legislation of 1910, recently
issued from its New York Office by
the American Association for Labor
Legislation.
Employers Liability.
The summary shows that commits
sions in addition to those of 1909
minnesota New York and Wiscon-
SIM were this year created by the
legislatures Of IllinoiA New Jersey,
Ohio, Massachusetts and by the fed
eral government. The governor of
washington also has recently APP
pointed a commission In Ohio and
New York the liability laws were
greatly modified in favor of the in
jared, and for the first time in this
country we now have a law--which
provides compensation, In more than
one industry, for accidents, regard
less of fault. In this law New York
included eight extra hazardous en-
ployments and has worked out a
definite scheme of compensation for
injuries. The injured man has a
choice of accepting compensation &C
cording to the given schedule or of
suing under the existing liability law
By another New York act employer
and employe may agree voluntarily
upon a compensation scheme for those
industries not included in the COM
pulsory law.
The second Maryland measure pro-
viding relief for coal mine employees
has long been established in such
states as Massachusetts and New Jer-
sey, the American legislatures have
not yet accepted the principle of in
dustrial old-age pensions. A bill based,
upon careful preliminary study of
existing systems of Industrial PEN
sions in other countries, but was de-
feated. New Jersey. however, has pro-
vided for commission to report a bill
in 1911.
Hours of Labor.
An amendment TO the federal eight
hour law of 1892 definitely brings con-
struction work on vessels within the
operation of the law. BY an act which
promises to be enforceable to eight
hour day is established also on pub
lie works in Kentucky Attempts to
restrict the hours OF labor for women
in Ohio were unsuccessful but in New
York and Virginia efforts to extend
the working day by special exemption
for certain occupations were defeated
Legislation Affecting the hours and
working conditions OF children was
enacted in eight state and the District
of Columbia. The night messenger
service was closed to young persons
in several states, and in New Jersey
a long struggle 10 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 presentation Of accidents" Inter-
state railroads are TO be more care
fully equipped with safety devices,
and IN Ohio and Virginia cars must
be constructed to provide greater pro-
lection for workmen.
The Cherry mine disaster evidently
stimulated Illinois to enact q most
elaborate law concerning systems of
fire extinction in mines, signals, care
or stables and storage OF fodder. In
addition three mine rescue stations
are TO be established in the state. In
Kentucky mine inspectors are pro-
vided with oxygen helmets and other
life-saving apparatus. The federal
government has also established 4
bureau Of mines with several rescue
stations.
The health Of employees in factors
les received considerable attention.
Workers exposed TO the humidity of
textile factories In Massachusetts, to
the injurious dusts I'm New York fac
tories. to industrial diseases in I'LL
nois 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 i
swarm Of bills were introduced and
defeated.
the method 81 the Canadian in