The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-12-12
LABOR LAWS SHOW
PR0GRESS0 OF 1874
Review of Labor Legislation Re-
veals Big Gains for Ameri-
cas- Industrial Army.

Big gains in the war against in
view of Labor Legislation of 1914,
just issued from it's New York head
quarters by the, American Associa-
ton for Labor Legislation. The la
Dor laws enacted by congress, by 10
state legislatures which convened this
year, and by Alaska and other terri
tories are briefly summarized.
Noteworthy as marking renewed
determination to grapple scientifically
with one of the most pressing prob
lens of Industrial >maladjnstment,"
declares John B. Andrews, secretary
of the association, lis the law adopted
this year in New York, establishing
a statewide system of public en-
ployment bureaus. Shortly after the
signing of this act, New York city
Nov. 10 in. the opening of the best
equipped public employment ex-
change in the country. New work.
mems compensation laws were enact
ed in New York, Maryland,- Kentucky
and louisiana, while other states,
notably Massachusetts, liberalized
the provisions Of existing compensa-
ton codes. By enacting carefully
drawn measures for the prevention
of compressed air illness and of lead
poisoning, New Jersey took an ad-
vanced stand in the campaign of ed
cational hygiene. In no fewer than
seven states this year, initiated meas
ures affecting labor were submitted
to popular vote. Among those which
were successful are a new Arkansas
child labor law adopted on Sept. IA,
and a Washington bill prohibiting
the taking of fees by private employ
ment agencies from applicants for
work, adopted at the general election
on Nov 3. The 1913 Colorado as
sumption of risk law and the Ne
braska workmen's compensation
act of the same date, upon which
referenda had been demanded, were
sustained by popular vote, while the
Missouri full-crew law of 1913, which
was similarly challenged, was re-
pealed. Universal: eight-nour day
bills, Initiated in the three Pacific
coast' states, were lost OF more
than ordinary interest Is the section
of the new federal antitrust law
which prevents the use of the Sher-.
man act against trade unions on the
ground that the labor Of a human
oelng is not a. commodity or article
OF commerce. Congress also strict
ly regulated the issuance of in1unc-
lions by federal courts in labor dis
putes, and established an eight-hour>
day for female workers in the Dis
trict of Columbia"
Two important measures still be-
lore congress provide for a federal
system of public employment offices
and for adequate industrial accident
and occupational disease compensa-
ton for federal employees
Accidents and Diseases.
Three legislatures enacted laws re-
curing industrial accidents or occu
patlonal disease to be reported, while
New Jersey adopted scientific meas
ures for the prevention of lead pois-
onlng in lead plants and potteries
and or the dreaded bends or COM
pressed air illness in tunnel or cais-
son work. Four states gave further
attention to protecting their indus
trial workers from fire, and MARYLAND
passed two comprehensive laws reg
ulating canneries and tenement work
shops Three states and the terri
tory Of Alaska legislated upon the
subject of safety in mines, Kentucky
going furthest and enacting a new
mine code. Several new railroad
safety laws are concerned with fun
crews, headlights and enclosed YES
tibules on trolley cars. I. -
So Factory Inspection. ~
Seven states dealt. with machinery
Tor more efficient enforcement of
the1r labor laws. No changes from