Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1914-01-15

ter the first week OF unemployment
Workmen more than eighteen Tears
old get s1.75 a week and under eigh-
teen years old, 80 cents a week, up to
a maximum OF Is weeks unemployed
in any twelvemonth. The cost to the
state of unemployment insurance is
about s., 600 900 annually.
Government Employment Agencies.
The Labor Exchange Act is, in every
way, a supplement TO the Unemploy-
ment Act 1t provides government la
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 filled and nearly 100000 jobs of
a casual nature found for workmen.
A large amount has been advanced by
the state for travelling expenses for
workmen fUr 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 IN
able to obtain it.
Minimum Wage white 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. The 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 fix 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
10 the minimum wage is made public
and no government contracts are
awarded to firms not on this list.
Gaiiy S'SoiiA W. S'NHe'
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 If
two-thirds of those in the district in
the trade wish them closed. All classes
| of shop assistants must be given one
half-holiday a 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 amplify in their provisions
earlier acts under which the state &C.
quires land for housing purposes and
deals with lunsanitary areas and dwell
ings.
.Rank Socialism,
These are some Of the more striking
measures which Great Britain's legis.
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 1t? 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. II the state is to
be crutch, we will all grow infrm in
time and lean upon it. Contentment
not discomfort, should be preached
We are sowing the wind to reap the
whirlwind''
Prosperity should pay thank Of
fering," said another Britisher. Sc
much for the new taxes. AS for the
so-called socialistic legislation, it ID
not socialism but democracy, the Civ
ing to every man a chance, and SC
far as honest, living wage and fan
laws for capital alike with labor, ant
opportunity for education. leisure ant
employment can make 1t SO. an equal
chance. Is not that the chief bushes:
of democratic state? AS for content
ment-did you read the White Papel
an official report of the distribution
OF 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 end
OF the earth" said Solomon. In Grea
Britain 1t is a time OF introspection
painful but profitable.
, Lord Rosebery's Story.
Lord Rosebery told story tn
other day OF an Aberdeen professo
whose youth was properly full Of yea
for learning, but who was too poor Il
crafty it. Through one long ferc,
winter in Scotland-where winters ar
winters-he shivered without an over
coat and starved without breakfasts
because he had spent the none.