The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-11-23

1nempioTmcnts bene1e n1u1e Mk1Es gnoNc
Sthatlhe las appiIed 10 tho labor E1s
chang for enirjloy md been IN:
able To- obtain e
INlnIFnum Nikn1s 81 lite Llet.ss "a
The workmen'e Compensation Act
% not new: but IN e1tension 70 other
workers. and TO include scompensation
in the case Of certain Industrial dis
eases. The Trades Boards Act a.
tackled the Industrial and social evil Of
sweating. II established trade boards,
composed Of employers and workers
in equal proportions. together with
members appointed BY the Board Of
Trade. These boards az 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 boz
making machine-made lace and
net-fnishfng 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 Shopo.
The Early Closing Act, which both.
ers some tourists who find shops
closed at unexpected aud apparently
unreasonable times, gives weekly halt
holidays all over Great Britain to shop
keepers and their assistants. All
shops-American, Btores-must be
closed one week day not later than one
o'clock In the afternoon. except where
food or newspapers are so'd-whtch,
with letters, constitute the trinity for
which man viii not willingly wait
Even excepted shops may be closed II
two-thirds Of those in the district In
the trade wish them closed. ALI classes
OF shop assistants must be given one
halS.hollday q 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 aud attack the problem OF child
labor. The Housing and Town Plan.
ming Acts amplify in their provisions
earlier acts under which the state ac-
quires land for housing purposes and
deals with unsanitary areas and dwell
tngs.
''Rank Socialism,"
These are some OF the moro striking
measures which Great Britain's legis-
lature IL using as tools IN the con.
struction of tomorrow's British en-
pire. .
ut 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 selfrespect and discouraging self.
reliance and thrift. II the state is to
be crutch, We will oil grow inflrm in
time and lean upon It. Contentment,
not discontent, should be preached.
We are sowing the wind to reap the
whirlwind."
Prosperity should pay a thank Of
fering," said another Britisher. $50
much for the new taxes. As for the
so-called socialistic legislation, It is
not socialism but democracy, the CIV
ing to every man chance. and 80
far as honest, living wage and fair
laws for capital alike with labor. and
opportunity for education, leisure and
employment can make It SO, an equal
chance. Is not that the chief business
OF democratic state? As for content
ment-did you read the White Paper
AN Official report Of the, distribution
OF wealth."
"The toad beneath the harrow knows
Exactly where each tooth-potnt 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 IL q time Of lntrospection,
painful but profitable.
Lord Resebery's Story.
Lord Rosebery told story the
other day Of an Aberdeen professor
whose youth was properly full of zeal
for learning, but who was too poor to
crafty It Through one long fierce
winter In Scotland-where winters are
shivered without an over
coat and starved without breakfasts,
because he had spent the money
which might have bought them upon
the purchase Of q Hebrew Bible. In
Lord ,Rosebery's story, Of course. the
Aberdeen professor. for being faithful
to one book, was made ruler over q
whole library. The social reform legis.
lation, result OF Great Britain's intro
spection and tumultuouS discussion,
seeks to secure to all provision against
lack of breakfasts or Of coats and, In
deed, IN the broad.visionsd Education
bill, to make possible for those who
wish It, even the study and, perhaps.
also the ownership Of Hebrew Bible.
Copyright 1918. by Joseph b. Bowlea.)