The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-12-30
PRESIDENT Il. P. CORCORAN
DISCUSSES LABOR LAWS

must not be required to give up their
vacation and play periods to earn a
living We will also urge an amend
!nent that viii prohibit the employ
M NJ Of children under sixteen years
OF age In mines. on railroads. or any
other hazardous occupation. The
labor movement stands for the aboli-
tion or restriction OF child labor
wherever possible. The child OF TO-
day becomes the man of the future.
and IL the average of our citizenship
Is TO be maintained. we must give the
boys and girls OF today a chance to
grow strong. healthy. and vigorous; a
ehance for some education and some
mental development
a Mothers' Pension.
We intend also to ask for a
Mothers pension law. This is not half
SO revolutionary as II may sound. IL
simply means that mothers, left with
Out means OF support and dependent
cnildren shall be provided with a
small sum by the state 20 helm 10
keep the family together. TO help bring
the children up decently, and to help
make good citizens or them. As A. Is
now, children left this way. often be-
come dependent upon charity. They
nave to be taken care of. and we hold
that II is better for the mother to take
care OF them and for the family TO be
kept together, than for the home 10 BE-
broken up This law also will operate
20 lessen child labor. because mothers
VINO are assisting in bringing I'D their
families viii not be compelled to force
tneir children to 20 out, while little
tots, TO help earn a living. This law
mas been In effect in a number OF
states, and IL has been found that Il
can be put into effect without any
additional expense TO the state. be-
cause IL relieves the Charitable insti-
tutions and children's homes. and the
poor houses. of much expense. while IL
adds to the home life and the decent
living conditions of our people.
Nine Laws.
The State Federation will aIso
favor number of laws fmprovinr
mining conditions. As TO these laws
I however. we expect &c endorse partic-
ulariy the measures that will be ad
yanced by the miners organizations
am informed that Mr.. Henry. chief
mine Inspector. has himself a number
OF very valuable and practical sug-
gestions TO improve mining conditions
and 1t Is likely that from his sugges-
lons and from the suggestions Of
miners themselves. one or more prac-
tical bills will be introduced TO i'm
prove the conditions of mine workers
In the state.
We also favor a constitutional con-
vention for West Virginia. We think
mat IN many respects the present con-
sti'Hton is antedated, and that IL
ought TO be broadened and made more
liberal along many lines. We think
that the changes can only be made
through constitutional convention.
and viii urge the calling OF such a
convention at an early date.
In negative legislation, the State
Federation OF Labor viii oppose. as IL
has hitherto. any proposition looking
10 compulsory arbitration OF labor dis
putes. need not go into any dis
cussion OF these measures. The posi-
tion OF labor concerning them is too
wei known TO need explanation. In
this connection l want to say that
during the past several weeks. / have
spent considerable time at Charleston.
have conferred with Governor Hatfield
and with the heads of the labor de-
partment and the mine department.
and ! am pleased to find a most re.
snonsive sentiment in those DEPART
ments. TO the needs OF the labor inter.
ests OF the state. In fact, I think
that number OF bills will be intro
duced with the endorsement of the
administration. aiming to secure some
OF the things that the labor interests
OF the state have been working for.
We look forward with a great deal
. OF anticipation 10 this coming session
tof the legislature. and believe that
some positive steps will be taken
along The lines above Indicated