The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-23
Kansas Is Looking Into COndi.
lions Over the State.
PLAN WELFARE LEGISLATION
Important Issues for Consider
alton Next Winter.
Female Factory Inspector In
uuires Into All Needs.

Through the state labor commits
eioner's office, Miss Lima Bresette
female factory inspector. is gathering
information as to the &c. con1ls, nsas
working girt in every industry from
packing house employee to a place
behind the counter in the small retall
store The information will be tabu-
lated by Miss Bresette and will become
a part of the states official files both
for regulation of labor conditions and
consideration of welfare legislation at
the next session of the state leg1sla-
ture.
Upon the information to be gathered
by Miss Bresette members OF the 1915
legislature can authoritatively base
their arguments for or against the
minimum wage and the maximum
hour laws--both important issues for
consideration next winter. The In
quiries being made by Miss Bresette
go right - the heart of conditions:
Through replies to her letters, she Will
secure Information as to accommoda-
tons for the working girls in the fac
tories, the telephone office. depart
ment stores and shops. Where this
information is not furnished promptly,
an investigation will be made Of condi-
tons just as has already been don: o.
Miss Bresette in scores of cases since
she became the states 1lrst woman
factory inspector.
Information Is Secret.
Information secured through these
letters will not be made public so far
as the name of the employer or the
firms are concerned and every etfort
will be made to prevent possible 1r1c-
ton between employer and emp!oyee.
..Do YOU know of any conditions
among the working girls OF your town
that need regulating?" asks MISS Bre-
settle in a separate letter to men ana
women in the larger towns OF the state
who keep in touch with LABOR cohol-
tons.
what legislation would they be in
terested in?"
Are you interested in regulation Of
wages or hours for women?
To the employer: rs your plant IN
the way Of rest rooms. rest periods, re-
creation, educational work, vacations.
sick benefits, insurance, what condi-
tons? Have you any plan of increas-
ing efficiency of your employees? In
creasing their wages or salary"
And again:
What inquiries do you make of any
applicant for work."
What qualifications do you ask
for?"
Have you any knowledge of the
actual living conditions OF your en-
ployees?"
DO you know whether or not they
are solely dependent upon the wages
they receiver
Their Social Life.
What constitutes their social life ?"
Those are all big, vital, important
questions in the consideration of the
wage and welfare problem in Kansas
and Miss Bresette proposes to gather
Information as to these matters from
every individual, firm or corporation
which employs female labor on an ex-
tensive scale. Many responses have
already been received from the first
installment of letters mailed last week
We expect to gather much val.
liable information as a result Of these
letters" said Miss Bresette. "They
will be tabulated and regarded as con-
fidential where an employer SO re.
quests. but we prefer the privilege Of
using them. Letters already received
show many interesting conditions and
I believe that the people who have
been interested in the wage and vel.
fare problems Of the Kansas working
girl will learn some interesting facts
when the letters are tabulated."
The campaign to secure this infor.
nation will be conducted by Mis-.
Bresette in addition to her regular
work as female factory inspector.