Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-26
WAGE-EARNING WOMEN
 AND MINORS IN THE STATE
About 43.e91 of the Former and 5,056 of the Latter EmpIoyed-Report of Commission of Which Mrs. John w. Burke of Norwich Is Member.

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 The commission appointed under resolution 27 of the special laws of 1911 to investigate the conditions un- der which wage earning women and minors are employed In the state of Connecticut submitted its report to the governor.
 Acting under the provisions of the resolution the governor appointed the following commission: Dr.. James w. McLane. Miss Alice Hill Chittenden, Mrs. Fannie Burke. James P. Wood ruff and Patrick H. Connolley.
 The commission held its first meet ing in Hartford October 3, 1911, and elected Dr. James W. McLane chair man and Miss Alice Hill Chittenden secretary. Dr. McLane held that posi- ton until forced through i'll health to resign in August, 1912. He died on November 25. Governor Baldwin in September appointed Dr. Charles E. Brayton of Stonington as Dr.. McLane's successor, but pr. Brayton only at tended two commission meetings and died very suddenly on December 2. The final work has therefore been done by the four members of the com mission MT. Woodruff was elected chairman after Dr. McLane's resig- nation.
 In November 1911, the commission secured the services of Miss Ruby Stewart and Miss Marie Kasten as in vestigators. Miss Stewart later re- signed.
 Sims Miss Marie Hourwich and Miss Amy Hewes were engaged during the year as assistants in the field work and tabulation.
 Volunteer work was done by F. J. Brainerd and H. l.. Gibbs or Trinity college. Miss Kasten Miss Rankin and Miss Sims gave their services to complete the final work of tabUiation after the amount of the appropriation was exhausted. During the latter months the members of the commls- sion were also obliged to pay their own travelling and other expenses, be- cause of lack of funds. and the sec retary carried on all correspondence without any stenographic assistance.
 Fifty factories were investigated in fourteen localities. Wage data. copied directly from the payrolls were gath cred for s103 women and personal and social data taken from the em ployes themselves for 10,351 women. An attempt was made to select those factories which were representative Of the best, and some that were repre- sentative of the worst, conditions.
 The commission has held eighteen meetings and in addition has confer red with many people interested in, and familiar with, the conditions of wage earning women and children.
 The statistics have been submitted 10 the general aSS0I1Dly OI OOuu6CIiCul together with recommendations for legislation which the commission be- heves will improve the conditions un- der which wage earning women and children are working.
 Connecticut employs 4S,991 women and 5,656 minors according to the .. $. census of 1910. The census table in the interesting report gives their distribution in the industries in Con- necticut which employ 1000 or more women. The commission makes the following recommendations:
 Recommendations.
 1. That the hours of labor of wage earning women and minors be short ened and regulated.
 ?. That provision for the effective reporting and recording of occupation al diseases; and accidents, be made.
 8. That the labor of women and minors in certain occupations be pro- hibited
 4. That there be more stringent regulation of child labor. with espe- cial reference to night work, to mes senger service and street trades. and to shorter working day
 5. That more adequate provisions be made for the comfort and health of wage earning women and minors in factories.
 That a minimum wage commission be appointed.
 These recommendations are embod- jed in several bills which the com mission presents with its report to the general assembly.