The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-08-11

VVuvOuuuVIvV
|NCANNERIES
A FEDERAL Investigation
Of the flsh eannerles In Wash.
lnaton.
THE OWNERSHIP Of the
eannerles by the state az tho
most potent solution OF evil
conditions existing under prI.
vatc ownership.
THE EDUCATION OF APP
prentlees In the public schools
instead OF under private en-
ploycrs.
THE PROHIBITION OF child
labor under any circumstances
under the age OF ~, whether In
vacation or not, and the sboll.
ton OF tho practice OF granting
permits allowing children un-
der age 20 work.
A NATIONAL MINIMUM
wage law.
H ORGANIZATION OF labor
\ market so as TO distribute en-
II ployment more equitsbly.
THE WIDEST PUBLICITY
\ IN all Industrial matters.
These are some OF tho salient
recommendation made before the
federal commission on Industrial
relation this morning by DR. The
resa Mcmahon. OF the social sci
ence department ~ tho University
Of Washington and former member
OF the minimum wage commission
OF this state. Mrs. Mcmahon WAS
I the only witness this afternoon
Her testimony received the closest
attention both from the commits.
I Aionets and the audience.
"Fiithy" Conditions
Mr.. Mcmahon described the con
ditlons In the cannery industry.
which she personally investigated.
rs the worst in tho state from an
economic and health standpoint.
The elaht-hour law for wom-
erdoes not apply In eannerles.
Boys are doing mems work.
Girls work from ~ 20 rs hours
day under conditions which
Mrs. Mcmahon said were sb.
solutely "fiithy."
Asked how she would remedy
the matter. Or Mcmahon promptly
replied by state ownership.
Fish Belong 20 State
The fish belong 20 the state.
she said. "CAnnery men fought
against the eight-hour law and de-
feaicd Il SO far as they were con
cerned. on the ground that the
salmon pack IL seasonal. Under
state management. the girls and
tho men could work in shifts In.
stead OF extraordinary long hours
Even the Chinese have reheilcd
and there are fewer and fewer Orr
entails IN the eanneries now.
Premium on Child Labor
Discussing minimum wages. Mrs.
McMahon declared that the ap-
prentice claus. permitting girls 10
work for less than the minimum
will defeat tho spirit OF tho law,
ns employers will contrive TO have
n. good number OF apprentices.
Tho further fact that girls be-
tween ie and rs are permitted 20
worFfor less than tho minimum.
II putting n premium on child
labor" abe asserted. She pointed
out tho fact that In the child labor
law. the age of girls permitted 20
work was reduced 20 10.
she becomes an adult AT that
age" DR.. Mcmahon said. for the
purpose OF child labor law. But
for the purpose ~ the minimum
wage. she does not become an adult
until IS"
Girl Foolish 20 Talk
Tho only virtue OF tho minimum
wage laws, as they now exist, In
the fact that they are educating
tho public to the conditions In the
various industries" she declared.
Eventually she predicted a ma
tional law. drawn by people who
have given the subject real study.
"A girl In foolhardy," DIR. Nc
Mahon declared. ito give any In.
formation TO any commission or in
any investigation where her name
is involved. II she does not &c,
fired by her employer. she loses
tho chance OF promotion. at any
rate"
Unrest VIII Increase
Asked TO state what has been
the cause OF social unrest, DR.. Nc
Mahon said that besides low wage
and unemployment. the chief cause
Is the fact that labor laws have
generally afforded loopholes for
evasion. either through jokers In
the law or by court Interpretation.
The fact that this country pro-
duces enough. that the storehouses
are filled with goods. that there
are good crops. and yet people 20
hungry and out OF work. makes
them feel that somewhere there is
great injustice" the doctor said.
Increased intelligence viii In
crease this social unrest.
Publicity the Remedy
Publicity will accomplish more
good than anything else" sch said
Il regard an industry public
trust. And industries are moro
sensitive TO public opinion than to
organized unions. | don't look for.
ward 10 the organization OF un-
skilled workers. When n man or
woman In hungry, you can't make
martyrs out of them for principle.
They are too weak to bargain for
themselves and the state must do
II for them"