The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-01-30
TO TEST WOMENS
WORKING
Boston Lawyer Will Be Retained By
Ohio State In Case Before Supreme
Court-Fil Remarkable Case
COAL MINE IS A SUCCESS
Williston Mine Operated By Govern
ment On Modern Lines-No One
Fatally 1njured-Receive Good Pay

Fatally Injured-Receive Good Pay
From Congressman G. H. Tavenner.
Washington January 30-Attor-
ney Louis D. Brandeis, of Boston, has
been retained by the State of Ohio
to defend its women's 54-hours-per-
week labor law, and the Boston law
yer has just filed remarkable brief
in the Supreme Court upholding the
contention of the state that the law
Is constitutional.
In the Oregon case, which was al
so defended by Mr.. Brandeis, the
court held that while "the general
right to contract in relation to ones
business is part of the liberty of the
individual" nevertheless, since the
health of future generations hinges
is within the police power of the
state to protect women from excess
sive hours of labor.
Fatigue, A Poison
The brief submitted by Brandeis
includes an elaborate study Of the
toxins of fatigue and sets forth the
latest scientific theories that fatigue
Is a poison generated during activity
and removed during rest. The brief
quotes the figures of foreign insur-
ance societies showing the increase
in nervous disorders among wage
earners due to the speed and strain
of industry.
The Ohio law, which was passed
two years ago, prevents women from
being employed in certain industries
for more than 10 hours in one day
or for more than Sd hours in any one
week. The test case was taken to
the Supreme Court by Anna Hawley,
a Columbus, Ohio, milliner, who
was arrested for violation of the law.
It will be argued during the present
week.
National Voters League, -.s-,.-z
The National Voters League has
issued the first number of it's Bulle-
tin which it calls the Searchlight on
Congress. The League expects to in
terest itself in reforming the in
strument of legislation and to i'm
proving the personnel of Congress-
In this work it will pay attention not
to measures and issues but to legis-
lative methods. One of it's crusades
Is directed against the secret caucus
Of the Democratic majority. The
executive secretary in charge Of the
Leagues work in Washington is
Lynn Haines, 829 Woodward Build
ing, Washington, D. G.
Operation of Government Coal Mine.
A recent bulletin issued by the
Reclamation service tells about the
operation of the government coal
mine run in connection with the re-
clamation project at Williston, North
Dakota. This project required the
pumping of water by steam power,
and the engineers discovered valu-
able beds of Ignite coal in the vic
unity. The mine began as a small
venture, but now it is operated the
year round, employing from IL to is
miners and turning out 5000 tons
of coal annually at cost of $1.7S pei
ton.
Uncle Sam has taken to heart the
preachments of his own Bureau OF
Mines, and consequently in the gov
eminent mine great care is taken OF
the lives of the workers. In the six
years of operation of this mine nc
fatal accident has occurred. One
miner was injured by a premature
explosion which caused coal to fal
upon him. This miner had beer
earning SAFE a day, and under tn
terms of the compensation act fol
government employees, he was pait
this wage during the time he wa
laid up with broken leg.
The quarters for the miners ar
fitted up with every sanitary conven
fence. The bath room has individual
lockers and hot and cold shove
baths. At the mess the miner cal
get wholesome food at Is cents pc:
meal, and free sleeping quarters ar
provided. The men earn from $3.5,
to $500 per day for eight hour
work.