The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-10-30
FOR WOMEN AND MINORS
Mower Labor Bill Endorsed by Rev.
Chas. Chase Wilson,

To the Editor of the Banner:
Dear Sir:
A bill to regulate the hours of la
Dor for women and minors in the man
ufacturing establishments of the
State has been introduced in the Yer
mont Senate by Senator E. c. Mower,
of Burlington. This Bill is based
upon the Massachusetts Act which
went into effect on January /, 1912.
Provision is made for a 81 hour week.
In adjustments where the work is
"by seasons" So hours are allowed,
provided that the average for the
year does not exceed 81 hours week
exclusive of Sundays and holidays.
With Saturday afternoons free this
means a 10 hour day for 5 days. If
the employees work Saturday after
moons, it means, of course. a 8 hour
for the days.
The opposition to the Bill will come
from small manufacturers who claim
that they cannot afford to grant 8
hour day. Also some farmers may
oppose this measure because 3 hours
seems a short day to men who live
and work on a Vermont farm.
The experience of other states has
shown that a healthy industry can
thrive and grow under such protec-
ton as this measure would secure for
present and future mothers. In this
Bill we are following the example of
great and conservative common
wealth whose manufacturers CON-
pete with our own for labor and for
| markets for their finished products.
We have the written opinion of the
most eminent surgeons of the State
to the effect that 81 hours week is
| the maximum to be allowed for wo.
men and minors working in manulac.
turing establishments. In the words
of the United States Industrial Com
mission, Those States which are just
now advancing to the positions OF
| manufacturing communities might
well learn that permanent industrial
progress cannot be built upon the
physical exhaustion of women and
children" Vermont is such a com.
munity and TO illustrate the necessity
of such an Act. an investigation OF
one of the larger mills of the State
shows that about 40 per cent of the
| labor employed consists of females
| between the ages of Is and 81 years
| of age. At the present time in the
state there is absolutely no protect
| ion for these future mothers. Al
present they may and do work IL anG
Is hours day, when there is a rush
of business. We have good precedent
for their measure; the necessity and
wisdom of such protection as this
measure: the necessity and wisdom
of such protection as this measure
affords to motherhood are establish
ed beyond question by the most
| competent authorities.
This Bill has been referred to the
Joint committee on immigration and
Labor which is made up as follows:
Senator LA. Darling, of Burke
chairman; Senator Dodds, of North
Hero, Chaffee of Rutland. Howe OF
Berlin, Representatives, Messrs. Jose
of Johnson, Howley OF Burlington
Grigg of Barre, Russ of West Fairlee
Buckley of Wheelock, Tillottson OF
Lowell and Foss of Brighton. A pub
lie hearing has been arranged for
Wednesday, October Both at 4 d. m
at the State House.
For two years we have travelled to
| and fro on the earth in the interests
Of such reform at this progressive
measure assures. There is no doubt
but that the people of Vermont are in
favor OF granting such protection to