The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-12
EMPLOY CONviCTS
ON PUBLIC WORKS
Farmers and Union Labor Rep
resentatives Demand End of
Contract Work.
TWO FORCES JOIN HANDS
Legislative Program Adopted.
Trying to Cheaper Cost
of Living.
TWO FORCES JOIN HANDS

For tho purpose OF putting into con-
crete form tho various demands Of the
state Federation OF Labor and of the
virginia Division OF the Farmers Edu-
cational and Cooperative Union of
america, the Legislative committees of
these two bodies are in session at
murphy's Hotel Tho business before
the committees was not concluded last
| evening. but will be continued to-day
naturally. the committees are not
authorized to adopt any new princi-
pies. but they arc authorized TO for
mulate into definite shape the logis-
| lation which these two organizations
desire at the hands of the General
Assembly at Its coming session. To
cases Endorsing measures which have
| already been proposed, but which
have failed OF passage
Recently the labor people and tho
| farmers Joined hands to certain ex-
tent, determined to pool their fotees for
the attainment of their purposes The
result Is expected to DO a stronger ag-
F, gregation than would have been the
case had either body prosecuted Its de-
! mands individually.
! Abolish Convict Labor
| The General Assembly Will be asked
10 enact laws abolishing contract con-
Vict labor. Instead 1t will be asked
| to establish lime grinding plants, as
desired by farmers; to use convicts
on the public highways and to utilize
their labor for the reclamation Of waste
lands
| Going further. the committees de-
cided to advocate that those convicts
who for various reasons cannot be
used on these various outdoor activi-
ties. be employed in the State prison
at making shoes and clothing for their
own use exclusively. AS will be read
lily seen. this part of the program COM
! bines the demands from the differing
| standpoints OF the farmers and of tho
| organized laborers.
Again. IL was determined to ask that
the provisions of the female labor law
| be extended so as to include work
shops and mercantile establishments.
AS 1t stands at present. clerks in stores
arc not affected, but may be employed
as many hours day as they or their
employers desire. The result of such
an amendment to the law will be far
| reaching.
Have Factory Inspection.
The committees will demand the au-
Dor TO employ a factory Inspector
whose duty 1t would DO to examine
conditions and guard the health and
the safety OF employees. Such laws Il
was stated. exist IN most States.
AT the request of the farmers, /,
] Will be asked that manufacturers OF
fertilizer BIO required to mark plainly
on each bag. the Ingredients therein
contained and the source of their sup
| 20 f,,r+
tect the farmer against possible adul-
teration and against the use of mater
ial from Objectionable sources. Neces-
sarily, there will go with this q pen
atty upon any manufacturer whose
goods. on analysis. would be found not
to come UP to the statements on the
bags.
Consideration was also given TO the
proposed publication of monthly
journal. to be devoted to the dissent
nation OF news regarding the progress
of the efforts OF both the farmer and
the labor federation. It was stated
that there is no doubt Of the early
launching OF such an enterprise.
Fire the Middleman.
These matters disposed Of. the COM
mittees entered into n discussion OF
the long proposed plan OF elimina-
ton of the middleman In putting the
products OF the farms OF Virginia IN
the hands OF the consumers. especially
those of the laboring classes. While
the details remain to be worked out.
II was practically agreed that retail
stores will be established In Richmond,
Newport News. Norfolk. Portsmouth
and Lynchburg. II Is believed that
| with such plan, the farmers cnn get
best market prices for their produce.
and at the same time the consumer
| can save great deal Of money
AS the skeleton of the plan stands,
central warehouses would be estabIis 4 :
ed at different points in the State. To
these the growers would bring their
produce or their crops. They would
be credited with the prevailing price
being paid by tho commission mar
chant Shipments OF these goods
would be made to the stores as the
conditions OF the demand and Of the
market would seem to indicate
Both Would benefit.
The products would then be sold at
retail. upon tho basis of general "a.
tail prices at that time: The differ
enco between the commission mans
purchase price and tho selling price
would be asoertained. tho cost OF
| operating the store deducted, and the
profit would be divided between the
farmer in tho shape OF additional price
and the consumer in the proportionate
reduction of the price Of what he buys.
These stores will be under the man
agement of representatives of the
State Federation OF Labor.
e. q. Dawson. OF this city, was made
chairman of the Joint committee, and
will be In charge OF the campaign
before the Legislature for the enact
mont OF the laws which are demanded
AZ last nights session of tho Joint com
mittees subcommittee was appointed
| from the legislative committee OF tho
Federation OF Labor to take up further the
| body from tho farmers. ThiB subcommittee
has power to act. and to proceed with the
practical application Of the plans
Following q visit from presanta.ives of
tho Equal Suffrage Lcsgu. Of virginia the