Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1913-06-06
The Minimum Wage Law.


wage law passed by the last legislature precsrib-
ing the wages that shall be paid female labor, has
resulted in widespread discussion of the question:
and if the bill met the actual approval of the
members of the legislature who voted for it, it
does not meet the general approval of men who
have to worry about the financial success of their
business and support a family while paying the
wages required.
We have it from two members of the legis-
lature, one of whom was prominent leader and
officer, that the bill does not repres ent the con-
victions of majority of the members, but that
the insstent lobbying of the idle women of the
women's clubs of Salt Lake City was more than
many of the men could resist. Threats and in
Limitations by these female "reformers" were
of such nature that, had they been men, would
have placed them in danger of being cited for
violating the lobby law.
AS to the provisions of the law, it does not.
by direct language, exclude any class of female
labor. However, there is word appearing in
two places in the law which leaves an opening for
endless litigation. The law says that regular
employers" of female help shall pay such wages
as the law provides and as to what is meant by
the word Irregular" is question that the courts
will have to determine. If any man wishes to
ascertain the views of the courts, he need only
refuse to comply with the law and when arrested
and convicted, appeal from the decision of the
trial court. 4
<hs~less,~~ia TO be
seriously questioned for no provision was made
to protect the business men whose business might
be ruined by complying with the law. The makers
of the law did not care whether or not an employ
err should be able to pay the wage; it compels him
to provide the coin in some manner. by forcing
his children tc ASSIST in supporting the home by
ma fax frOy no hank
mortgaging his home. or the only alternative,
that of closing up his business, and the latter
recource will be taken by many small concerns.
Such law can not but result in confscation of
property. law that interferes with the honest
pursuit of business and takes from a man that
which is his, which makes him bankrupt, no mat
ter what may be the argument used by its advo-
Gates, is wholly un-American. Of all states. there
less need for law of this character in Utah
than in any other; in fact it was entirely un-
called-for.
But it is the law and will remain the law un-
less the Supreme Court should declare it void, and
those who employ female help had better conform
to its provisions or they will find themselves in
serious trouble. The law provides for female in
the office of the State Statisti: clan, whose duty it
is to see that this law and the nine-hour law for
females are enforced In addition there is male
around the state investigating conditions and
causing arrests for violations. Within the last
two weeks sstherel have been three employers
arrested in the north end of the state, one for
violating the nine-hour law and two for violating
the wage law. The deputy above mentioned went
to the town where the arrests were made without
the business men knowing of his presence. and by
questioning the girls employed learned that the
law was being violated. The next move was to
swear to warrant of arrest for the proprietor
of the business One arrest was made in Logan,
and the young lady who gave the information
did it unwittngy, having no knowledge as to
who the stranger was who asked when the store
opened and when it closed" and many other
questions.
AT another place, the proprietor of an estab-
lishment was arrested for failure to compy with
the minimum wage law. although it has been in
effect but few weeks. and given a still fine.
He Immediately discharged the nine girls in his
employ and filled their places with boys although
the girls were satisfied with the wages received