Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-18
LABOR LAWS ABROAD
INCLUDE RULES FOR
RIGID INSPECTION
Safeguarding of Workers a
Vital Feature, and in Some
Countries This Is Classed
as a Profession.

Recognition of the fact that tho admin
istration and enforcement of labor laws
Involve much more than a mere system
OF detecting violations of law is becom-
Ing more and more apparent in efforts
for the protection of the working classes.
The establishment of definite rules and
standards for the safety and health of
workers, higher specialization OF the func-
tlons of inspectors, and the creation in
number of States of Industrial COM
missions with large powers are indica-
tions of the progress made. In view of
the attention the subject is receiving in
our. own country, the experience of for
eign countries in the administration of
labor laws and factory inspection is of
peculiar interest and report on this
subject, covering Great Britain, Germany,
France, Austria, Switzerland and Bel
gium, which has Just been published as
Bulletin No. 1i2 OF the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Depart
ment of Labor, is both timely and in
structive.
In the countries named labor laws date
pack to the beginning OF the 10th CEN
tury, but the first measures for their en-
torcement were not passed until 1888, when
factory inspection was established in Eng
land, while similar action was not taken
elsewhere until 1874, when France cre-
ated labor inspection department., fol-
lowed by Switzerland in 1877, Germany in
1878, Austrian in 1888 and Belgium in 1885,
INSPECTION VITALITY IMPORTANT.
While experience has shown that labor
laws without provisions for enforcement
are practically futile as protective meas
ures, emphasis must also be placed upon
the Importance of efficiency in the ad-
mlnistrative machinery, it's scope and
functions, its methods of works. the char
acter of its personnel and the provision
OF definite standards as to safety and
sanitation. In only one of these phases
OF administrative work was marked su-
periortty found in the countries visited
as compared with the United States. This
was in the training and character of the
force. In Europe the posi-
tion of factory inspector can be secured
only after long technical training and
severe tests. The occupation is classed
as profession ranking with law, medi-
cine ana engineering. Tenure of office is
secure, and pensions are given for long
service and old age. Men who seek these
positions are of exceptional character
and attainments, and their work ia cor
rcspondlngly efficient.
IN France and Belgium the whole work
or labor-law enforcement is ccntercd in
Lne LABOR inspection departments, but in
England the local authorities have iuris-
1iction over the enforcement OF all sam
tary provisions in workshops. In Ger
many the factory laws are administered
oy the industrial inspectors, inspectors
of insurance associations and police au-
and in Austria by the indus
rial inspectors and the local Industrial |
tuthorlties. In Switzerland there is dI- |
'lslon or Jurisdiction bctWeen the Federal |
factory inspectors and the cantonal in |
'pectors while the enforcement of thu |
avs is entirely in the hands of tho local |
'olice and the cantonal authorities.
medical factory inspection is still an un-
developed field. England and Belgium be-
ns the only countries having separate
medical divisions, and even there thc
lumber OF physicians is small.
Women inspectors number 20 i'm Eng
and' where they occupy the unique posi-
ion of being practically independent in
heir work and functions. France has
lshteen women inspectors. Austria ),
ielsium !, Prussia and Switzerland none,
ma the German States but few. Outside
T England the work OF women inspectors
limited to small shops where women
nd children are employed
woRK1NGMEN INSPECTORS.
There Is great demand among the labor
rs classes for workngmen Inspectors.
his has met with considerable opposi-
ion from some of the Governments as
ell as from regular Inspectors Eng
md has 80 worlSinEmeu inspectors. but
ler functions are limited, their salaries
w, and their status entirely different
rom that of regular inspectors. Prussia,
rance, and Switzerland have no such in
pectors as yet, and there arc only a. few