The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-11-25
LABOR NOTES or
VIDE INTEREST

The American people are being sys-
tematically defrauded by buying sweat
shop and prison made clothing. They
are entitled to know under what eondi-
tions their clothing is made. The United
States report on women and child la
Dor reveals startling conditions under
which articles of clothing are manufac-
tured. 1t shows that this work often
goe. on in filthy and unsanitary rooms,
that workers themselves and other mem
bers OF the family are often frequently
suffering from contagious diseases, that
children from five years old and upward
work from twelve to sixteen hours per
day, including Saturday and Sunday, and
that the schooling of the child is elm
mated. The results of this inyestiga-
tion show that mems ready-made cloth
ing is often made in the homes of a
class of people whose under nourished
condition, due to poverty and lack OF
thrift and hygienic sense, general low
standard of living and dirty habits, make
them most susceptible to contagious dis
eases. Hence garments made up in such
homes place the wearer in the way of
contracting tuberculosis and other con-
tagious diseases.
During the investigation. it was
learned that doctors who will agree to
conceal disease from the health depart
ment are the most popular with gar
ment workers, who are forced to work
under these sanitary conditions Agents
of the bureau found women working on
garments while children in the house
were suffering from contagious diseases.
They would lay down garments from
time to time to minister to or fondle
such children.
One home visited had a little boy
suffering from whoopng cough, and when
he had spell. the mother thrust her
finger down into his throat in an eff
fort to relieve him. This caused slight |
nausea, and the mother wiped her fin |
gers. covered with mucous, on the pants
Dn which she was at work.
In another case, where chih's head /
md face were covered with loathsome
ash, the mother constantly stopped her
work on the pants and caressingly ran
Ter hands over this eruption, and with
nut washing them took up the pants and
continued her work. l.
1t is expert opinion that large per
,ent. of tuberculosis and other diseases
ire contracted in this way. Clothing
,earing the union label is made up in
lean, healthful work shops, under strict,
anitary regulations, by employees over
ixteen years of age Operators receive
rate of pay that enables them TO live
n clean and healthful conditions and
ducate their children.
In requiring the union label on your
lothng, or other wearing apparel, such
) shoes. hats, etc, YOU not only pro-
ect yourself and family from the dis
asses of the germ-infected garments of
he sweat shop and prison. but are help
lg our women to maintain living
age under fair conditions. and our
hildren to secure the rudiments of an e
iucation. G
Painters union of Bennington, VT, has a
ffiliated with the Vermont state branch !
the American Federation of Labor. i
The Michigan new workmen's compen- |
ltion law, enacted at the special session h
the legislature. went into effect IN h
lie first day OF the present month. The :
Nv law abolishes the defense of con
ibutory negligence; the defense that
lie injured employee assumed the risk of
: employment. The maximum amount Y
compensation for total and permanent
stability fixed at $4,000.
Every little child who is forced to I'd
Drk in mill OF factory; every woman &c
no is forced TO accept starvation wages re
sweat shops. restaurant, hotel or mill. II
a reminder of the necessity for or fo
nization.
q,
II the record OF the trade unionists in 81
ery other state in the union equals Ia
lt Of Colorado. the action of the com re
: legislature viii be reflected in the ha
" enacted. There viii be twenty-five ~
,mbers OF farmers and trade unions IL
ding seats in the next session of the
dorado legislature and. taking the leg To
ature as e whole. Indications are that yo
win be exceedingly fair and give IA "a
able consideration 70 an measures az. sii
ting the interests Of labor. Through 70
, initiative and referendum. Colorado eo
opted az the recent election the WON al
: EIGHT hour Law and also the uaius4..' NJ,