Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1914-01-01

Workmen more than eighteen FEARS
old get $1.75 q week and under eigh-
teen years old, 80 cents q week, up to
q maximum Of Is weeks unemployed
In any twelvemonth. The cost to the
state Of unemployment insurance IL
about 100000 annually.
Government Employment Agencies.
The Labor Exchange Act Is. In every
way, q supplement to the Unemploy.
ment Act. It provides government Ia
Dor exchanges to find Jobs for work
men and workmen for jobs. In the
three years since this scheme became
operative 100000 vacancies have
been filed and nearly 100000 jobs of
q casual nature found for workmen.
A large amount has been advanced by
the state for travelling expenses for
workmen for whom jobs have been
found. The workman who would claim
unemployment benefit must first show
that he has applied to the Labor Ex.
change for employment and been un-
able to obtain 1t.
Minimum Wage "Whlte LIST"
The Workmen's Compensation Act
is not new, but an extension to other
workers, and to include compensation
in the case Of certain Industrial dis
eases. Tho Trades Boards Act at
tackled the industrial and social evil Of
sweating. 1t established trade boards,
composed Of employers and workers
in equal proportions. together with
members appointed by the Board of
Trade. These boards fix minimum
rates for wages for time work in GER
tain trades and may also tx general
minimum rates for piece work. The
trades to which the act has already
been made to apply are: Ready-made
and custom tailoring; cardboard box
making, machine.made lace and
net-finishing and chain-making. A
white List" Of employers who agree
to the minimum wage is made public
and no government contracts are
awarded to firms not on this list.
Early Closing for Shops.
The Early Closing Act, which both.
ers some tourists who find shops
closed at unexpected and apparently
unreasonable times, gives weekly half
holidays all over Great Britain to shop
keepers and their assistants. All
shops-American, stores-must be
closed one week day not later than one
o'clock in the afternoon, except where
food or newspapers are sold-which,
with letters, constitute the trinity for
which man will not willingly wait.
Even excepted shops may be closed II
two-thirds Of those in the district in
the trade wish them closed. All classes
Of shop assistants must be given one
half-holiday o week and the general
work hours are regulated by Law.
Other acts prevent the employment Of
women in industrial occupations dur
ing the night, make regulations re-
garding the protection Of health in fac
tories and attack the problem Of child
labor The Housing and Town Plan
ming Acts ampllfy In their provisions
earlier acts under which the state &C.
quires land for housing purposes and
deals with unsanitary areas and dwell
ings.
Drank Socialism,"
These are some of the more striking
measures which Great Britain's legls-
lature is using as tools in the con-
struction of tomorrow's British en-
pire.
1T Is rank Socialism" said one, but
what are you going to do about it? A
reaction will come and come soon, but
until that does come these laws and
more of the same kind will be enacted,
weakening private initiative, diminish
ing self-respect and discouraging SELF
reliance and thrift. If the state Is to
be crutch, we will all grow infirm in
time and lean upon it. Contentment,
not discomfort, should be preached.
We are sowing tho wind to reap the |
whirlwind."
Prosperity should pay a thank Of.
fering," said another Britlsher. 80 |
much for the new taxes. AS for the
so-called socialistic legislation. 1t is
not socialism but democracy, the CIV
ing to every man a chance, and so
far as honest. living wage and fair
laws for capital alike with labor, and
for education, leisure ard
can make 1t so, an equal
chance. Is not that the chief business
Of democratic state? AS for content
you read the White Paper
an official report Of the distribution
o. wealth."
The toad beneath the harrow knows
Exactly where each tooth-point goes;
The butterfly beside the road
breaches contentment to that toad"
"The eyes of the fool are in the ends
Of the EARTH" said Solomon. In Great
Britain it is q time Of introspection,
cainful but profitable.
Lord Rosebery's Story.
Lord Rosebery told q story the
other day Of an Aberdeen professor
whose youth was properly full Of zeal
'or learning, but who was too poor to
crafty 1t. Through one long fierce
winter in Scotland-where winters are
shivered without an over
,oat and starved without breakfasts,
because he had spent the money