The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-09-25

In decision denying the petition of
eight large Milwaukee candy manufac-
turers for permission to employ women
more than ten hours day during the
three months rush season preceding
Christmas the Industrial commission is
sues the following statement and quotes
the United State supreme court deci-
sion bearing upon the labor of women
in industry:
''The only power delegated to the
Industrial commission is to find the
facts as to the effect upon the health,
safety and welfare of the women
workers under given conditions. The
facts so found must determine the
number of hours that such workers
may be permitted to labor. But the
Legislature has said explicitly that I'M
Til the Industrial commission finds
the facts to the contrary, employment
shall be deemed to be dangerous to
women who work ten hours a day, or
ffty-four hours week
"We do not believe that the legis-
lature in committing this great pow
er to us, thought for moment that
we would turn back the clock of pro-
gress in humane legislation. What
ever the legislature thought, we have
no desire to do so.
SIN the skilled trades, ten-hour days
are now the exception rather than the
rule. Shall not the state demand for
female labor conditions as favorable as
the male worker demands and obtains
for himselfg
1t has long been recognized that
women, because of physical conditions,
because Of inability to demand their
rights, because the welfare of the race
is dependent upon them, should receive
the protection of the state.
The decision quotes the following
from the supreme court of the United
States:
AS healthy mothers are essential to
vigorous offspring, the physical we'll
being of women becomes an object of
public interest and care in order to
preserve the strength and vigor of the
race. The two sexes differ
in structure of body, in functions to be
performed by each, in the amount Of
physical strength, in the capacity for
long continued labor, particularly, the
influence of vigorous health upon the
future well-being Of the race, the self
reliance which enables one to assert
full rights, and in the capacity to main
tain the struggle for subsistence. This
difference justifes difference in leg
islation and upholds that which is de-
signed to compensate for some of the
burdens which rest upon her."
The decision, which contains generous
excerpts from international authori-
ties, says;
Considering this matter we see lit
tie reason for making an extensive in
vestigation, because we have the facts
as to the conditions of the employment
and the literature of the day is replete
with the Judgment, Of the greatest ex-
perts in physiology and psychology
We cannot ignore these authorities; fo1
to do so would be to close our eyes to
matters of common knowledge and
the best evidence
"We realize that wages and other la.
Dor conditions are to some extent de.
pendent upon competitive conditions
aad when the manufactured article en-
Aers into Interstate commerce as it does
in the present case, competitive condi
tions in other states may be consider
ed by the legislature. But such condi-
lions are not controlling with legis-
lature, and they have not been com
nsitted to our consideration in any de-
see. Yet, what are the conditions in
other states?"
TZers the decision contains table