The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-04
NEW LAWS FOR WORKERS
What Labor Got From the Forty
First Session of the California
Legislation.

1. A better workmen's compensa-
ton act; first, by having the law ap.
ply to occupational diseases as well
as to industrial accidents; second, by
removing the ninety-day limit from
the time in which employers are re.
uuired to furnish medical and surgical
treatment.
2. Removal of the property quail.
fications" Of jurors. This will make
it possible to select jurors from all
classes of people regardless of their
"tax-paying" abilities.
8. A $4,000 appropriation for uni
versity extension work. This Is the
first time the California legislature
appropriated funds for the specific
purpose OF bringing the great work
of our state university into the homes
of the working people.
4. A $4,000 appropriation for free
state employment bureaus under the
control Of the state labor commission
err. Also a law placing maximum
upon the fees collected from the work
ing people by private employment
agencies. Also new legislation giving
the labor commissioner further power
to regulate and supervise private en-
ployment agencies.
5. An improved child labor law +;
raising the age limit of dangerous oc-
equations, prohibiting children under
ten years of age from engaging in
street trades, and making other minor
improvements.
6. A semi-monthly pay day law.
Not as far-reaching as it should be,
but a good beginning.
Z. An improved labor camp inspec-
ton law, and a $4,000 appropriation
for it's enforcement under the immi-
grafton and hausing commission.
8. A new law providing for the
prompt payment of wages. This leg
islation became necessary when the
present law upon that subject was
declared unconstitutional.
9. A law providing for state SUI
pervision Of tenement and lodging
house inspection. Heretofore this
subjest has been left entirely to the
various counties and municipalities
as a result of which policy there was
neither regulation nor inspection in
many sections of the state.
10. A law creating the office OF
Public Defender" in each county at
the discretion of the respective boards
of supervisors.
H. An improved law definitely pro
hibiting the issuance of coupons, scrip
or other non-negotiable paper OF
checks, for wages to become due; the
present law applies only to wages al
ready due. Also law prohibiting
managers, superintendent and fore
men from accepting fees or presents
II Jill ChlplOyCO, thC plCoOhI ID w Wv
ers only the employer and not his rep
resentatives.
10. A law giving labor unions fur
Their protection in the use of their la
bells by making misrepresentation OF
imitation of labels a misdemeanor
10. A law placing under the juris
diction of the railroad commission OF
the industrial accident commission
every employer who makes deductions
from the workers pay envelope fol
so-called Hospital service" Also pro
viding that funds thus collected shall
be used exclusively for that purpose
IA. A law regulating private de
tective agencies and requiring bond
of $4,000. Also a law regulating the
treatment Of prisoners or persons in
the hands of the authorities; com
monty known as the bill ito abolish
the third degree"
Is. An anti-usury law. Limiting
the rate of interest which may be
legally charged by pawnshops and
others. This represents the first real
effort in California to curb the per
nicious activities OF the loan shark.