The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-10
OPPOSE CONVICT
LABOR ON ROADS
Federation Delegates
Urge That the Unem-
ployed Be Hired to
Build Highways
SESSION HERE
CLOSED TO-DAY
Fifty Additional Factory Inspectors
Are Recommended-Larg Appro-
prtation for Mothers Pensions Ad-
vocated-Woman's Law Approved

The Federation of Labor closed its
sessions here this afternoon after a
most successful meeting in which req
resentatives of organized labor
throughout the State took part
1t was decided that the woman s la
Dor bill should be left as it is now
on the statute books. The Federation
VIII not oppose any efforts to strength
en- 1t, although opposed to any amend
, ments that would serve to weaken it.
Action on the workingmen IS compen-
sation bin was deferred until Jan
uary Is, when another conference will
be held here This postponement is be-
cause none of the bills to be presented
are yet completed, but it is hoped to
have them ready by January IS, when
the best one from the Federation $
viewpoint will be endorsed and offered
In both Senate and House
Action on the child labor bill also
was deferred until the>same time. Sew
eral propositions have been offered but
none has been as yet framed to meet
all views, and until finished to the SAT-
lsfactlon of all no action will be taken.
1t was decided to ask for an in-
crease of the appropriation for moth
ers pensions. 1t was found that the
reason the amount appropriated by the
last Legislature was not used was that
many counties did not care to take it
up because of the small amount appro-
prlated, the amount not being regarded
as sufficient to carry out the intentions
of the bill satisfactorily. The amount
to be asked for will be at least ST.
100000.
Want More Factory Inspectors
An increase in the number of deputy
factory inspectors for the Departments
of Labor and Industry will be askeI
for, and it is desired to double the num-
Der now at work by the addition Of
fifty.
A resolution was adopted opposing
the proposition TO use convicts on the
work of constructing highways ana 10
was recommended that this work bs
given to the unemployed. While not o..
posed to eonvicts working. the Fedora
tion does oppose such work conflicting
with free labor.
1t was recommended that prisoners,
where possible, be employed in in
tensive farming to produce food not
only for themselves but for State insti-
tutions, and that prisoners also be em-
ployed in making clothing for depen-
dents who are now being supplied 6y
contract, but under no conditions does
the Federation agree to the employ
ment of prisoners under contract.
The holding of constitutional con-
vention was favored on the ground that
the present constitution is antiquated
and fails to meet modern needs. Dele
gates to this convention, it is asserted,
should be elected on non.partisan
ticket.
Plan to Obtain Legislation
The official heads of the various
State organizations of labor who par
ticipated in the conference have agreed
upon plan which provides for an ac-
tive and more practical method of max
ing known labor S desires to the legis-
lators than any yet devised by organ
lied labor. The plan has not been male
public, but will be adopted as occasion
requires.
A legislative measure will be framed
to have master builders licensed the
same as master plumbers, after taking
an examination. Another measure to
be presented for legislative action is
one to project the lives and limbs of
slate and quarry workers, placing its
enforcement either in the hands of the
State Mine Department or the Depart
ment of Labor and Industry.
President Maurer, of the Federation,
said, on adjournment, that the confer
ence had been the most successful ever
held and had been productive of much
good.