Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-23

Government, State, and municipal
work, which had been held in reserve
for this purpose, should then be pro-
vided.
Should all these resources be ex-
hausted and there still remain unem-
ployed workers. there should be Gov
eminent concentration camps where
work with a small wage would be pro-
vided. supplemented by agricultural
and Industrial training.
The fear Of unemployment because
of accident or illness fosters feeling
of discomfort which tends to cause in
dustrial unrest.
"Workmen's compensation laws, and
sickness insurance, with proper re-
strictions. would be the proper cor
receives here.
"Workmen's compensation laws
thus far developed protect the man
only when accident occurs during
working hours. and this is paid for
entirely by the employer. II an ac-
cident occurs causing injury to
man just before entering his work
place. the consequent loss to his fam
lily is just as great as though he had
been hurt five minuets later within
the factory walls. and yet he receives
nothing.
Il. therefore. recommend that the
workmen's compensation law should
provide insurance against accident,
wherever. and whenever, caused. This
insurance. however. should be paid by
the man himself. his employer, and
th4 in{
idea should apply also to sickness in
surance.
The worker himself should feel
these responsibilities and should al
ways share the expense Of such insur.
ance.
"3. We have, as the third cause for
Industrial Unrest. the development Of
large industries with their absentee
ownership. Large business, properly
controlled, is an economic benefit, but
the very size makes coordination be-
tween the employers and workers
most difficult. There is no personal
understanding.
Where a few cents per day in the
wage Of the individual workman
means hundreds Of thousands Of dol
lars annually to the business, and
where there are SO many units that
one foreman can be pitted against
another to maintainsthe cost of pro-
duction at the lowest possible point,
the natural tendency is to depress the
wage.
LAS to the remedy, I would suggest
int tot -
business be required to take out a
national charter that will entail Ger
tain responsibilities. and possibly
grant certain immunities from State
control.
This charter should not allow over
capitalization. Each board of direc-
tors, in addition to its other commit
tees, should have a Labor Commit
tee whose duty it should be to become
thoroughly acquainted with the labor
conditions Of the business, and make
regular reports thereon to the board.
These reports should be published
with the financial and other reports,
and thus give the stockholders a
thorough understanding Of the busi-
ness.
a. Long working hours and in
sanitary conditions are additional fac
tors In the problem Of Industrial I'm
rest. Nothing affects the mans
physical we'll being, and consequently
his earning power. more than these.
The remedy will be found in pub
licity and legislation, with factory in
spection by competent government Of
ficers.
Personal experience for a number
tinuous occupation. workmen will do
more work and better work an eight
hour basis than on twelve. and that
one day in seven for rest must be al
lowed if the man is to develop the
fullest degree of efficiency.
Il, therefore, favor national eight
hour law for continuous labor.
Sanitary conditions of work I have
found to be a paying proposition to
the employer, as we'll as just and
beneficial to the worker.
IS. Unsatisfactory Rural Condi-
tons:
that our small land owners are be-
coming tenants, while the small farms
are passing into the hands Of few.
Everything possible should be done
to aid and encourage our farmers.
The U. S. Government should adopt a
plan for the scientific distribution Of
our agricultural products, and for a
rural credits system, as 1t is practiced
today in some foreign countries.
Unsatisfactory rural conditions
which make it difficult for the small
farmer to earn a decent livelihood for
his family, cause many poorly
equipped young men and women to
flock to the cities. AS a rule, they are
thoroughly inefficient and lamentably
ignorant Of the temptations Of city
lift, and are rarely able to earn a liv-
ing wage.
Life on the farm should be made
sufficiently attractive and lucrative to
induce these boys and girls to remain
there. This can be done only through
our rural schools, which are now most
inadequate.
1.-The education Of country children
must At them for country life. No
love Of the beautiful. no patriotic
gratitude to his country for his edu-
cation. can be felt by the child who
spends weary months in uncomfort.
able novels, where he receives i'm
practical and frequently useless in
struction