The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-07-08
NEWS CULLED
in THE CAPITAL
ACTIVITIES OF STATE DEPART.
MENTS-OTHER HAPPENINGS
speeIaI cOIumbus correspondsnt.


lid capacity on public contracts en-
tered into after that date may be
compelled to work more than eight
hours a day. This is the result of the
operation Of a new law, and it affects
not only the state but the counties,
the cities, the townships and the
school districts. 1t affects work done
by the state or any of its subdivisions,
both directly and through contract
But all contracts made before the first
OF July need not live up to the law un-
less they specifically stipulated an
eight-hour day. Because of this there
has been much eagerness on the part
of the state and it's political subdi-
visions to let all possible contracts be-
fore the time limit and thus make the
system. This has been true in the
case of the state highway department
and its highway building. 1t has let
all possible contracts under the old
10-hour schedule. The large cities Of
the state have let millions of dollars
during the last few weeks in contracts
for improvements in order to get all
the work started that could be started
on the old workaday basis. The law
harks back to the requirement Of the
new state constitution of 1912. 1t was
enacted by the 80th general assembly,
but its operation was purposely sus-
pended in order that time might be
given for the readjustment incident to
the big change. In reality it marks a
big epoch in the history of Ohio, be-
ginning as it does a vast new stride in
the direction of shorter warkdays. 1t
was not so many years ago that 12-
hour day for laborers was in vogue.
1t was cut gradually from IL to H.,
then slowly to 10 hours To have pro-
posed an eight-hour day dozen years
ago would have been deemed revolu-
tionary and almost unthinkable. But
the present new plan comes so quietly
and with such small stir that COM
paratively few people have even given
1t notice. Meantime Ohio women have
been enjoying a nine-hour day, some
times misnamed an eight-hour day. 1t
provides that the great bulk of female
employees may not be compelled to
labor more than nine hours in any one
day or more than a total of 54 hours
in any week. Most employers prefer
to operate with women employees 10
hours for five days in the week and
four hours on Saturdays, giving Sat
urday half holiday. Efforts to have a
straight nine-hour day or a straight
eight-hour day failed in both of the
last two general assembly sessions.
In commercial and industrial life gen.
orally the lead taken by the state is be-
ing gradually followed A few indus
tries have adopted voluntarily the
eight-hour plan. Labor unions have
forced it in many cases. In all the
larger centers the idea of shorter bust
ness hours in the summer months is
taking root.
Want Old Fashioned Fourth.
There is uncertainty here as to
whether the echoes Of war in Europe
are going to spoil the safe and sane"
Fourth of July celebrations in Ohio.
This uncertainty is pertinent for the
reason that many cities seem bent on
the old fashioned way of observing
independence day in the face of all
peace preachings. 1t will be recalled
that prior to a half dozen years ago
the United States had developed an
unenviable record in the way she per
mitted her citizens to MAIN and kill
themselves on every Fourth. And
Ohio didn't take last place in the
ranks of killed and injured either.
Then came the "safe and sane" idea
of celebrating Fourth Of July and
fires, accidents and deaths dwindled to
almost nothing. Is the present mill
tary sentiment, borrowed by not few
citizens from across the ocean, going
to spoil all the good work? That's the
question.
Finds Amusement In Charges.
The committee appointed by Gov.
Willis to look into charges filed
against Capt. R. u Hastings of the
Boys Industrial home by discharged
employees found much amusement in
some of the allegations against him.
One employe said that Hastings had
Disseminated against him because he
compelled him to pay so cents day
for the board of his wife for period
of % days that she was at the institu-
tion. He thought the state should
have boarded her for nothing Another
employe complained that the chaplain
was given too much privilege because
he was allowed to wheel his baby up
and down the institution walks. An.
other complaint was that some em.
ployes were only given one room
while others were given two. The
committee found nothing wrong with
Capt. Hastings management, and it is
expected will advise the governor that
he is making good and should not be
disturbed.
Joke on Amateur Fire Laddies.
The volunteer fire department OF
Grand View, an exclusive village in
Franklin county, is affording all man.
ner of merriment for 1okesters. In
fact, the biggest joke Of the season is
ION" the amateur fire laddies. For
the last two years they have been the
pride of the village and the envy OF
outsiders. Their drills have been ap.
plauded and their maneuvers theoret-
ically perfect But they never had a
fire. And now comes the disclosure
that If there had been fire the ef-
fectiveness of the department would
have been nil.
Senate Chaplain to Be PAID.
Rev. w. A. Perrins Of Columbus.
chaplain Of the senate, is to get paid
for his services. Gov. Willis vetoed
an appropriation Of $4OO for the pray.
ers offered by the chaplain because he
thought the sum too large. The state
emergency board, however, with the
approval of the governor, has granted
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