Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-05-01
HARMON FRIENDLY TO LABOR
Ohio Trades UnionIsts Make Great
Progress During Present Regime.

Columbus. O.-tSpecfal)-state la
Dor Commissioner wirmeI, uades
unionist. says that 1t is an established
fact that trade unionists obtained
more good laws during the admins
tration OF Governor Harmon than in
any Of the other regimes that pre-
cedsd him. The list contains meas
ures that workingmen had been striv-
ing for for many years.
Most important OF all the labor
tills is the workipgmen's compeuss.
ton act. which experts, who have ex-
smined it. declare is as good as there
IS in the world. For more than a
year a special commission appointed
by Governor Harmon gathered data
and information. and into this bill
was written the best ideas obtained.
The Legislature. in providing for the
appointment OF the com mission. neg
lected to make an appropriation 10
pay the expenses of the members. but
Governor Harmon advanced the com.
mission their expense money. and
was later reimbursed.
Ohio workingmen, when injured.
will NO longer have to put up with
long delays in fighting damage cases
through the courts. FOR under the new
hill they will be compensated by the
commission without any delay. While
manufacturers are not compelled 10
come in under the law. yet by not
doing so they Will lose SO many privi-
leges that all are expected to accept
the provisions OF the law. Those who
operate outside the law lose their
right TO put forth the fellow servant
rule. the assumed risk doctrine and
ccntributory negligence. principles OF
cefenses in personal injury cases.
Another strong labor law is one
limiting the hours OF employed wom-
en- to a maximum OF 81 hours a week.
with n daily maximum Limitation OF
10 hours.
For years Ohio workingmen have
complained that they were not get
ting a square deal from the courts
In personal Injury cases.
Workingmen had prepared and in
troduced n the Ohio general assem-
OF all judges on a non-partisan ballot.
This bill was enacted and was one
of the first measures which Governor
Harmon signed in 1911.
Another strong new labor law was
that providing for the non-partisan
nomination and election Of delegates
to the convention in 1912 to rewrite
the Ohio constitution thus insuring
labor fair representation in the CON
Vention.
Ohio salary and chattel loan sharks
for many years had been preying
upon workingmen and robbing them
OF thousands Of dollars every year by
charging usurious rates for loans. A
new law protects them from these
sharks.
Among the other important labor
Hills passed during the 1911 legisla-
tive session were: The Reynolds bill,
requiring reports OF accidents to be
made to the state shop Inspector
within three days; the Reynolds bill.
providing further safeguards around
elevator shafts; the Reynolds bill.
~ oviding for the appointment of ad-
Citonal inspectors in the department
of workshops and factories. with the
view Of increasing the efficiency OF
the department; the Frazier bill, pro
viding a penalty for violation OF the
law safeguarding machinery; the
Hudson bill. adding a severe penalty
for operating dangerous machinery
after 1t has been condemned, and the
Hudson bill. requiring coHnter floors
to be placed In buildings in course
OF construction-a law that Will save
hundreds OF lives.