Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1912-08-29

the public element in industry de-
mands. The movement for honest
weights and measures has its coun-
terpart in industry. All tallies, |
scales and check systems should be !
open to public inspection and inspec-
tion of committees of the workers
concerned. All deaths, injuries and
diseases due to indifferent operation
should be reported to public authori-
ties.
To the second end, we hold that
minimum wage commissions should
be established in the nation and in
each state to inquire into wages paid
in various industries and to deter
mine the standard which the public
ought to sanction as a minimum;
and we believe that, as present in
stallment of what we hope for in the
future, there should be at once estab-
lished in the nation and its several
states minimum standards for the
wages of women, taking the present
Massachusetts law as a basis from
which to start and on which to inn
prove. We pledge the federal gov
ernment to an investigation of in
dustries along the lines pursued by
the bureau of mines with the view to
establishing standards of sanitation
and safety; we call for the standard
ization of mine and factory inspec-
tion by interstate agreement or the
establishment of federal standard.
We stand for the passage oil legisla-
tiOn in the nation and in all states
providing standards of compensation
for industrial accidents and death,
and for diseases clearly due to the
nature of conditions of industry, and
we stand for the adoption by law of
a fair standard of compensation for
casualties resulting fatally whicn
shall clearly fix the minimum COM
pensation in all cases.
Labor Conditions to BE Regulated.
In the third place. certain indus
trial conditions fall clearly below the
levels which the public today sane
ton.
We stand for a living wage.
Wages are subnormal if they fail to
provide living for those who devote
their time and energy to industrial
occupations. The monetary equiva-
lent of living wage varies accord
ing to local conditions, but must in
clude enough to secure the elements
of a normal standard of living-a
standard high enough to make NOR
ality possible, to provide for educa-
ton and recreation, to care for i'm
mature members of the family, to
maintain the family during periods
of sickness, and to permit of reason
able saving for old age.
Hours are excessive if they fail to
afford the worker sufficient time to
recuperate and return to his work
thoroughly refreshed. We hold that
the night labor of women and chill
dren is abnormal and should be pro.
hibited; we hold that the employment
of women over As hours per week is
abnormal and should be prohibited.
We hold that the seven-day working
week is abnormal, and we hold that
one day of rest in seven should be
provided by law. We hold that the
continuous industries, operating "a
hours out of "a, are abnormal, and
where, because of public necessity or
of technical reasons (such as molten
metaD the "a hours must be divided
into two shifts or IL hours or three
shifts of eight, they should by law
be divided into three of eight.
Safety conditions are abnormal
when, through unguarded machin
cry, poisonS, electrical voltage, or
otherwise, the workers are subjected
to unnecessary hazards of life and
limb; and all such occupations
should come under governmental
regulation and control.
Home life is abnormal when tene-
ment manufacture is carried on in
the household. 1t is a serious men
ace to health, education and child
hood, and should, therefore, be en-
tirely prohibited. Temporary con-
structiOn camps are abnormal homes
and should be subjected to govern
mental sanitary regulations.
Child Employment Abnormal.
The premature employment of
children is abnormal and should be
prohibited so also the employment
of women in manufacturing, COM
merce, or other trades where work
compels standing constantly; and
! also any employment of women in
such trades for period of at least
eight weeks at time of childbirth.
Our aim should be to secure condi-
tions which will tend everywhere to-
wards regular industry, and will do
away with the necessity for rush
r periods, followed by out-of-work
seasons, which put so severe a strain
on wage workers.
1t is abnormal for any industry to
throw back upon the community the
, human wreckage due to its wear and
tear and the hazards of sickness,
, accident, invalidism, involuntary un-
5 employment, and old age should be
$ provided for through insurance