The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1911-12-28
BUREAU TO DIRECT BIG WORK
Bureau Would Be Expected to Suggest
Uniform Labor Laws for all States
in the Union in Order to Make Pos
sible Government Control

Prevention of industrial accidents
on a national scale through the crea
ton Of research department. in con-
nection with the United States bureau
of labor is being advocated by Edgar
T.. Davies chief factory inspector of
Illinois.
Samuel A. I'll. Harper, one of the. at
torneys for the factory inspection de-
partment, left for Washington yester
day to discuss with Representative
Wilson of the third congressional dis
trict the drafting of bill or resolu-
tion calling for the appointment Of a
commission by congress to study the
subject of the health and safety of
the workers of the country
The idea of Mr.. Daviesyfs that the
commission should inquire not only in
to industrial accidents, but social
hygiene and the effects of certain oc-
equations On the health Of the men
and women employed There are
thirty-one diseases due to certain &C
equations which are already known,
according to Mr.. Davies, and many
that are not known
After commission has obtained the
necessary data Mr.. Davies believes it
should recommend certain Legislation
and create q bureau to apply scinnti-
cally the laws, once they are enacted.
In practically all the states factory in
spectors are appointed for political
reasons and few have any real knowl-
edge Of the work they are expected
to perform.
"There are $4,000 men and woraen
killed III industry annually in The
United States said Mr.. Davies,
Eand majority Of them are skilled
and experienced workers. This is
a tremendous economic waste, looking
at it purely from the standpoint of
cold cash, and the worst feature of
1t IS that a large per cent of this
slaughter is unnecessary
"Since the laws pertaining to the
health, safety and comfort of en-
ployes and occupational diseases went
into effect in Illinois we find many
employers who are anxious to CO.
operate to safeguard the health of
their workers. They are just begin
ming to realize that it pays them from
a productive point of view. Men
and women who are compelled to work
in an unsanitary workshop and
breathe impure air are not nearly as
efficient as they are where they work
under healthful conditions
Mr. Davies, who has just returned
from convention of factory inspec-
tors held IN Washington, says that our
present methods of dealing with indus
trial subjects are crude and in need
of thorough revision. The laws are
not alike in any two states, which
places employers at Il disadvantage in
the way of competition, and Mr..
Davies says the factory laws should
be standardized through national
commission.
Another idea advocated by Mr..
Davies is the creation of national
fund for the immediate relief of suf-
ferers from mine disasters, floods and
similar calamities The method pur-
sued in the past of raising relief funds
by popular subscription involves
great amout of waste in the distribu-
ton and delay in reaching those in
distress. Mr.. Davies believes there
should be standing fund, raised by
a tax on industry, to be applied i'm
mediately when any portion of the
country is visited by earthquake. ire.
or other disaster.