The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-09-23

A discussion of the legislation which
in his opinion, labor should seek at
the 1918 session of the general assem-
bly, is contained in the report Edgar
A. Perkins, president of the Indiana
State Federation of Labor, has prepar-
ed for submission to the twenty
eighth annual convention of the feder-
alton, which meets here this week.
More factory inspectors, including
some women inspectors, are declared
to be necessary, although the efflcien-
cy of the state factory inspection de-
partment under the new law is prais-
ed. Taking up the prison labor ques-
ton at the Indiana reformatory, a
matter in which he declares slight
progress has been made within the
last year, Mr. Perkins attacks the con-
tract labor system, and urges labor to
endeavor to obtain from the legisla-
ture an act empowering the reforma-
tory to buy sufficient amount of land
to furnish employment for many of
the inmates.
Old Bills Favored.
Bills which he lists as having failed
at the last session, but which should
again be introduced and should be
pressed, are the following: A bill reg
ulating women's work; bill restrict
ing the use of injunctions in labor
disputes and legalizing trade unions !;
a bill providing for the employment
of expert shot firers in the coal mines,
a bill providing for sanitation in foun-
dries. The last two conventions, he
pointed out, have gone on record as
being in favor of free text books in
the public schools, and the 1911 con.
| vention of the federation ordered a
bill of this character to be prepared
for submission to the legislature
Mr.. Perkins gives a good deal of at.
tention to the workmen's compensa'
ton question expressing confidence
that a compensation law will eventu.
ally be passed in this state. He says
further:
Yet we should plant ourselves firm
ly on the proposition that we want nc
| compensation law that contemplates
repeal of the two liability laws pass
ed at the last session of the legisla
ture. That an effort is to be made to
repeal these laws is no secret The
attempt will be made to repeal them
outright or to emasculate them
through amendment. The efficiency OF
this legislation is thus made apparent
The best recommendation for their re
tention is the opposition of those who
find their operation onerous. And We
should be careful that we are not be
guiled into a loss of those excellent
| measures through substitution of ar
experimental compensation law. We
want compensation, possibly, or al
least We think we want it, and as ev
erybody's doing it, We most likely
will fall into line. But let us not for
get at this time to hold fast to thai
which is good
Child Labor Legislation.
The child labor law enacted at the
last session, says Mr.. Perkins, was 4
decided improvement over the one
that it superseded. Yet, he points out
it was a compromise, and several fea
lures included in the original bill were
eliminated before the bill was passed
The incoming legislature, says Mr.
Perkins, should be asked to ament
the law so that it will include the res
trictions eliminated by the 1911 legis
lature. He declares that labor shoul,
insist on an inhibition against girl
less than eighteen years old workin,
in cigar or tobacco factories. Stree
trades of children, he says, should b,
/ a matter of regulation; the age a