Bisbee daily review., 1914-12-12
LEGISLATIVE REFORM
 NEEDED IN ARIZONA
 IN MINING INDUSTRY
American Mining Congress Is Much Impressed By View of Walter Douglas Concerning lh- Advised Laws on Statutes.
By Philip D. Wilson

Dy water Douglas or the lll-conSlr- cred legislation from which Arizona has suffered since her admission to staaehooA Contrary to expectation, he did not touch upon the recently passed referendum measures, the 80 per cent an dthe anti-blacklist bills, taking the view that the constitutions ality fneither has as yet been prov en. He signified his approval of the Mine Inspection Law" and com mended the work of State Mine in- spector. The text of Mr. Douglas speech follows:
 When the Territory of Arizona achieved it's ambition and was ad' mitted into the sisterhood of states, it's legislators sitting as members of it's constitutional convention felt it incumbent upon them to evolve a con stitution which would be in no wise secondary in progressive principles to that adopted by its predecessor, Oklahoma
 To this end the eighteenth article concerning labor deals with certain features Of social legislation which are ordinarily left to legislatures to enact.
 Section l of Article XVIII directs the legislature to enact a law pro viding that eight (S) hours and no more shall constitute a days work in all employment fthc state or any subdivision thereof.
 Section 2T-hat no child under the age of fourteen (ID shall be em- ployed in any gsinful occupation, nor shall an ychild under sixteen (16) be employed in mines or other hazard out occupation.
 Section g declares it unlawful for an employer to contract wit han em- ploye whereby he shall be released from responsibility for any injuries sustained.
 Section { abrogates the common law doctrine of fellow servant, while tributory negligence or of assumption of risk, to the jury as question or fact
 Section G provides that the right of action to recover damages shall never be abrogated and the amount rccov l cred shall never be subject to any statutory limitation.
 Section 2 directs the legislature to enact an employers liability law to which the employer shall be liable for death or injury to an employe due to i the hazard of the employment Section 8 provides that the legis lature shall enact worlmen's com pulsory compensation law, but spec ihcally states that it shall be optional with th eemploye to accept the com i pensation or retain the rightto sue
 Section prohibits the exchange solicitation or giving out of a black | list" and
 |. Section 10 That none but citizeu of the United States shall be em ployed upon public works.
 Article XIX establishes the office of mine inspector. and directs th' first legislature to enact laws regu lsting the operatio nand equipmen of the mines of the state.
 The first legislature of the state O Arizona convened on the 18th da yo March. 1912, and proceeded to carr! out the instructions embodied in th'
 constitution and to enact of thei own volition other measures affecting the mining industry.
 Considering the different laws tha have been enacted in their relativ' importance an dafter over two years
 experlenGs of their operation.
 would be proper to asoribe the frs
 place to the mine inspector bill,
 If has been singularly fortunate fo the State of Arizona that some tim
 prior to the converting of its frs ; Legislature the American Mining Cor gress had appointed a committee c distinguished members to compile
 code applicable to the conditions ol taining in metal mines and that tn
 rough draft of it's report was avai
 able for the legislature when co' fronted with the necessity of framin
 a law as directed by the constitution , With a few minor and one male
 exception the code drafted by yor
 committee was adopted and ocean 3 the present law under which mine are operated in this state. It is
 pleasure to be able to sa ythat stat
 inspection, instead of being detl
 ment or an embarrassment in ope rating. has become a positice benei
 in that it has kept the managemel in closo touch with underground co l- dltions through the state inspect fl aud has assisted those In dire
 charge b yassociation with an ou side point of view Perhaps part the success ha sbeen largely due
 the ability tact and helpfuness
 the mine inspector who has co D yerted prejudice and suspicion in 70 hearty cooperation.
 n Next in importance 10 the mine ! .,,i spection is the compulsory compens ton act The first Legislature foul
 itself in the extremely embarrassil