The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-11-09
ADVANCE SHOWN IN
new LABOR LAWS
"A Big Grist of Protective
Measures Passed by Con-
gress and States.
palladium Specially

NEW YORK, Nov. all of the Ia
Dor laws passed by congress and by
state legislatures during 1912, are de-
iscribed in an elaborate and authorita-
tive bulletin just issued from its head
quarters in New York by the American
Association for Labor Legislation.
'"Of special significance in the labor
Legislation of this year." says the sec
lretary DR.. John B. Andrews, "are two
Massachusetts laws, one providing for
minimum wage boards and the other
for reorganization Of factory inspec-
ton More stringent laws in several
states requiring notification of indus
trial accidents and diseases, and the
enactment of workmen's compensation
measures by four additional states,
Arizona, Michigan, Rhode Island and
Maryland, are also of first importance.
Federal labor legislation is noticeably
increasing in volume, and congress
this year enlarged the scope of the
eight hour and the government en-
ployes' accident compensation meas
ures. OF more than ordinary signifi-
canoe, too, are the prohibition of
poisonous phosphorus matches
through the use of the federal taxing
power. and the authorization Of an in
dustrial relations commission" No less
than 800 labor bills were introduced
this year in congress alone, while the
state legislatures ground out their full
share of the annual grist.
Accidents and Diseases.
The movement for compulsory uni
form reports of industrial accidents
and diseases made distinct progress
during the year. Seven states passed
new or strengthened old laws relating
to the notification of accidents, and
two states, Maryland and New Jer-
sey, joined the former half-dozen re-
curing physicians to report occupa-
tional diseases. Regulations for the
purpose of preventing industrial injur-
les by the use of safety devises on
dangerous machinery and exhaust
hoods over poisonous fumes, are also
numerous.
Factory Inspection.
In several states the number of fac
tory inspectors is increased and there
d.
tors see that the laws are enforced in
establishments where women are en-
ployed. New York now has 1875 fac
tory inspectors, much larger num-
Der than is authorized in any other
state.
Child Labor
Out of 10 state legislatures in which
child labor bills were introduced, ten
passed laws on the subject. The tend
ency is toward shorter hours with
higher minimum wage restrictions, and
the prohibition of night work. Louisi-
ana, however, has re-admitted her
children to the stage.
Workmen's Compensation.
Of the four new workmen's compen-
sation laws, that of Maryland is pure
1y voluntary, those of Michigan and
Rhode Island are elective" with the
we'll known provision for cutting off
the employers common-law defenses
if he does not elect to come under it;
while that of Arizona processes to be
of the rare compulsory type. The fed
eral bill, to provide compensation for
injured railway employees, passed the
Senate but died in the House.
Hours Of Labor.
The action of congress in establish
ing the eight-hour day for contract and
sub-contraet work done for the govern
ment is likely to be far-reaching in its
effects. Five states, also, have just
passed laws limiting the working
hours of men in private employments.
wi
hour day for mines and smelters; New
Jersey the ten-hour in bakeries; Mass
achusetts regulates the working hours
of motormen and conductors. and New
Mexico of railroad employees; while