Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-12-10
MERGING FAVORED
WOULD UNITE LABOR BUREAU
AND NEW INDUSTRIAL
COMMISSION.
BIENNIAL REPORT IS ISSUED

BIENNIAL REPORT is ISSUED
Several Recommendations for Revision
by the Coming Legislature Are
Made by State Labor Commissioner,
Which Seem to be Important.
Des Observation-Disclosures OF the
state bureau of labor and the indus
trial commission Is recommended by
A. L. Urick, commissioner OF labor,
in the biennial report of the depart
ment.
Mr.. Urick makes a number Of i'm
portant recommendations to the next
general assembly. They are:
Adoption of boiler inspection law.
Adoption Of building inspection law
and builders code,
Adoption of law governing yentila-
ton and sanitation of factories and
public buildings, rs
Amend fire escape law to make II
practical.
Recognition of the modern inclosed
fire escape as superior to the type
now required by law.
Amend law requiring doors to swing
outward to apply to factories and
stores.
The recommendation which attracts
the widest attention is that of con-
solidation of the labor bureau with
the industrial commission. Mr.. Urick
gives a number Of reasons why 1t
should be done. He says that the lab
or bureau has charge Of the factory
inspection and accident prevention,
therefore should be familiar with the
nature, number and kinds OF acct
dents. At the present time factory
operators and employers are required
to send accident reports to labor bu-
reau and the industrial commissioner,
a duplication Of labor in both offices
which can be eliminated by consolida.
ton.
Continuing, Mr.. Urick says: Under
the existing laws the industrial COM
missioner under section 20 of the
workmen's compensation law is au-
thorized to fix standards Of safety. but
no provision is made for the enforce
ment OF any standard adopted The
bureau OF safety has the enforcement
Of safety laws and force OF inspect
ors to apply the provisions. II the
right of fixing standard is to be re-
cognized. then consolidation Of the
two departments would furnish the
means Of enforcing the standard
fixed"
The commissioner outlines plan
OF fixing the standards Of safety in
which the employers are given a
voice. When the standards are thus
arrived at, he explains that there is
a greater cooperation in the observ.
ance. ~.
With regard to the fire escape pro.
position. the commissioner points out
the desirability of recognizing the en-
closed fire escape. The present laws
provide for the stairway and the lad
der type OF fire escape. 1t is the opin-
ion that on tall buildings these means
Of safety would be OF little use by
the public without hesitation II fire
threatened a building. The enclosed
type Is being used extensively in the
east. it is said. The present law re-
curing the erection of fire escapes on
buildings provides that greater num-
Der of devices can be ordered on a
fireproof building than on a non-fire-
proof structure; that three story
hotel can be required to have seven
fire escapes, the same number that a
ten story hotel would demand. the
commissioner pointed out He sug-
gests that this part OF the law needs
revision badly.
With regard to establishing state
building Inspection. the report says:
Iowa is among progressive states in
character of buildings erected during
recent years, and will undoubtedly
lseep in line with modern building
construction. We now have number
OF ten, twelve and fourteen story
buildings of modern construction
which are more dangerous to the men
engaged in construction than were
the ordinary buildings OF the past. To
provide against increased hazard Of
modern construction and against dang
ersi from defective buildings already
erected, there should be provided a
builders code and inspectors with
power OF enforcing reasonable provis-
ions OF safety to life. limb and prop
erty."
State Buys More Property.
Another property was added to
those purchased by the state undos
the capitol extension act when the
executive council agreed to pay $780,
$50 for the Powers flats.
Frank Woods. druggist at East
Eleventh street and Grand avenue, is
holding out for $4,000 which he
claims is due him for the property
and loss In business which he will
sustain.
The state board of education has
asked for quarters outside the state
house during the legislature.
To Investigate Accident.
Investigation will be made into the
circumstances of the bursting OF a
high pressure water tank at Glidden
some time this month. The state
health and engineering department
has just had notice Of the accident.
The department some time ago secur-
ed reports on the condition Of the
various water supply systems in the