The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-01-22

old get $l.lo u week ana unQer elgn-
teen years old, 80 cents a week, up to
q maximum Of 15 weeks unemployed
in any twelvemonth. The cost to the
/ state of unemployment insurance Is
about 100000 annually.
Government Employment Agencies.
The Labor Exchange Act is, in every
way, a supplement to the Unemploy-
ment Act. 1t provides government Ia
Dor exchanges to find jobs for work
men and workmen for jobs. In the
three years since this scheme became
operative 100000 vacancies have
been filled and nearly 100000 jobs Of
casual nature found for workmen.
A large amount has been advanced by
the state for travelling expenses for
workmen for whom jobs have been
found. The workman who would claim
unemployment benefit must first show
that he has applied to the Labor Ex-
change for employment and been un-
able to obtain 1t.
Minimum Wage "White List"
The Workmen's Compensation Act
| is not new, but an extension to other
/ workers, and to include compensation
in the case OF certain industrial dis
eases. The Trades Boards Act at
tackled the industrial and social evil Of
sweating 1t established trade boards.
composed OF employers and workers
in equal proportions, together with
members appointed by the Board Of
Trade These boards fix minimum
rates for wages for time work In GER
tain trades and may also fix general
minimum rates for piece work. The
trades to which the act has already
been made to apply are: Ready-made
and custom tailoring; cardboard box
making, machine-made lace and
net-finishing and chain-making. A
White List" Of employers who agree
to the minimum wage is made public
and no government contracts are
awarded to firms not on this list.
Early Closing for Shops.
The Early Closing Act, which both
ers some tourists who find shops
closed at unexpected and apparently
unreasonable times, gives weekly half
holidays all over Great Britain to shop
keepers and their assistants. All
shops-American, stores-must be
closed one week day not later than one
o'clock in the afternoon, except where
food or newspapers are sold-which
with letters, constitute the trinity fol
which man will not willingly wait
Even excepted shops may be closed il
two-thirds of those in the district II
the trade wish them closed. All classes
Of shop assistants must be given one
half-holiday a week and the genera
: work hours are regulated by law
Other acts prevent the employment o
: women in industrial occupations dur
2 ing the night, make regulations re
garding the protection Of health in fac
| tories and attack the problem of chile
] labor. The Housing and Town Plan
ming Acts amplify in their provision
earlier acts under which the state &C
quires land for housing purposes AM
deals with unsanitary areas and dwell
ings.
frank Socialism,"
These are some of the more striking
measures which Great Britain's legis
lature Is using as tools in the cor
struction of tomorrow's British en-
pire.
1T is rank Socialism" said one, blu
what are you going to do about it?
reaction will come and come soon, blu
until that does come these laws an
more Of the same kind will be enacted
weakening private initiative, diminish
ing self-respect and discouraging sell
reliance and thrift. If the state Is I,
be a crutch, we will all grow infirm il
time and lean upon 1t. Contentment
not discomfort should be preached
We are sowing the wind to reap tn
whirlwind."
Prosperity should pay a thank OF
fering," said another Britisher. IS,
much for the new taxes. AS for tn
so-called socialistic legislation, 1t il
not socialism but democracy, the Civ
ing to every man a chance, and 81
far as honest. living wage and fai
laws for capital alike with labor. ant
opportunity for education, leisure ant
employment can make 1t so, an eQua
chance. Is not that the chief business
OF democratic state? AS for content
ment-did you read the White Pape
an official report Of the distribution
OF wealth."
The toad beneath the harrow know
Exactly where each tooth-point goes
The butterfly beside the road
breaches contentment to that toad"
The eyes Of the fool are in the end
of the EARTH" said Solomon. In Grea
, Britain 1t is a time Of introspection
. painful but profitable.
Lord Rosebery's Story.
Lord Rosebery told a story tn,
other day of an Aberdeen professor
whose youth was properly full Of yea
for learning, but who was too poor t.
, crafty 1t. Through one long fierce
winter in Scotland-where winters ar,
winters-he shivered without an over
coat and starved without breakfasts
because he had spent the money
which might have bought them upoI
the purchase of Hebrew Bible. Ir
Lord Rosebery's story, OF course, the
Aberdeen professor, for being faithful
. | to one hook WAS made ruler over 4