Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-31
n the United States
Bureau Of Labor.
.Dsyoisd to Labor Legislation
For Years 1903 1909.
lii Stale Commissions Were Ap.
peiuted In Last Two Years.

scntafiOn of the labor legislation OF
,,a country during the past two years.
pvior legislation of this sort is collect
"a in the Twenty second Annual Re
nort of the Commissioner of Labor,
th;e bulletin being, in effect, a supple
ment to that report. Besides repro
dnction of the laws. the bulletin pre-
cents a review OF the principal features
If the statutes of 1908 and 1909. The
tendency of labor legislation to con-
form to a standard, which is being
raised from year to year, and con-
seouent increasing uniformity in the
nroyisiOns of such legislation are
clearly in evidence.
SIX state commissions to study spe-
cific conditions and draft laws or sug-
pest amendments to existing laws in
I accordance with the findings of the in
yestigatons were appointed in the last
4 two years, Commissions to investigate
the liability of employers for injuries
3 TO their employees and better meth
q DDS OF compensating employees for the
results of industrial accidents were ap-
pofnted in Minnesota and New York,
while Wisconsin had similar body at
work under an earlier appointment.
The cooperation of these commissions,
Although not at all provided for in the
laws creating them. has been a prac-
tjcal economy in the matter of con-
Quoting Investigations, as we'll as af-
ferding grounds for belief that the
results will be the recommendation Of
fairly uniform laws on this important
andspressing subject. The New York
i. l1~
also the subject of unemployment and
q better distribution of labor. while an
other commission was instructed by a
law OF this State to investigate the
condition, welfare, and industrial OPP
portunities of it's alien population. H.
linois has a commission at work on
regulations relating to factories and
mercantile establishments. while AriZ
ona, Illinois, and Ohio assigned the
conditions and regulation of mine la
Dor to commissions for investigation
and report.
That the employers liability is the
. subject Of an increasing degree of at
tention appears not only from the. APP
pontment of commissions but from
actual legislation as we'll. Five states.
michigan, Texas, Idaho. Maine. and
New Jersey and the Philippine Islands
passed laws affecting employers liza
bllty directly: while in Georgia. Iowa.
Massachusetts,. Mississippi. Ohio. and
South Dakota the customary defenses
Of employers in suits for damages by
Injured employees, l. g.. fellow service.
assumed risks. and contributory negli-
gence, were more or less restricted or
modified. The doctrine of compare
tive negligence. under the contributory
negligence of the employees. is
compared with the primary neg
ligence of the employee, with a cor
responding award of damages. has
been Incorporated in the laws of Tex
as, Iowa. and Ohio. and in a modified
form in the Georgia statute.
Within the purpose of this class of
laws. but proceeding on a different
principle, is statute of Montana that
provides for a state cooperative insur-
ance fund to be maintained by coal
I mine operators and their employees
/ and administered by state officials.
Payments in case of death and of per-
mlnent disability are to be made from
I this fund by award. no action at law
u being necessary. In fact the COM
4 tnencement of a suit at law is made to
MtQrfeit the right to benefits under the
2 ~ though the law of liability is in
WMase affected by the new provision.
More than City separate laws were
passed by the legislatures of various
states within tho past two years regu-
ating the conditions Of employment in
factories and mercantile establish
hlents and making provision for in
spection. Laws providing for a higher
standard of ventilation in workrooms.
oased on ratio of window area to floor
space and requiring artificial ventila-
uon where necessary. were passed in
lnnois and Minnesota. New laws
We're passed in Oklahoma and South
.arolina providing for systems of fac
.ofy inspection. Under the South
Ssrolina law two inspectors examine
prov1sions for safety and sanitation
and make investigation as to the en-
pioyment of women and children. A
New York law adds to the department
VI labor bureau of mercantile inspec-
uoh for the inspection of mercantile
Mtablishments in cities of the first
.iass a novel law was enacted in Ok
'~s PiouiuitltIS AiS SShuih6 "a
xorkmcn into steam boilers, fire boxes,
Wa before the steam is exhausted or
'ne fire drawn.
massachusetts, enacted new law re.
wu1ing, the water used for humidnying
MY MY ar IN workrooms to be so pure as
w ,s % give rise to impure or foul odors
70 be used In such manner as not
ehuanger the health of employees.
NJ that are doubtless the result of the
I'VE effort to secure pure food are
~ That apply to bakeries. candy fac
and establishments generally
A&s,sSsEIe food products are manufactured.
rsred or handled. Cleanliness on the
S S~ OF employees. as well as of the
nv y, utensils, and all surroundings;
n norscrlbed sanitary arrangements. the
~s.Ms.enployment of workmen affected
sn an infectious or contagious diseases.
slaW,r regulations as to garments and
oS seplng rooms are among the provisions
IN snls legislation, enacted IN whole or
part IN California. Indiana Nebraska.
~" Jersey. Tennessee. and Missouri in
1E past two years. In Connecticut SINH
~. provisions as to bakeries were eX-
tfsnaed so as to cover other food-stuff
ana cigars.
.a me safety OF employees in MINES is the
SsDJect of number of laws. The in
HrS.ssning employment of electricity for
sHSn.ing and other uses IN mines received
~esSutlOn in Idaho Ohm and OE1ahoma