Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-03

to collect statistical details relating to
all departments of labor and industrial
pursuits in the State; to trade unions anu
other labor organizations and their enect
upon labor and capital; to the NUMBER
and character of Industrial accidents and
their effect upon the injured. their de-
pendent relatives and upon the general
public; to other matters relating to the
commercial, industrial. social, educa-
tional. moral and sanitary conditions
prevailing within the State. including the
names Of firms, companies or corpora
tons, where located. the kind of goods
produced or manufactured, the time
operated each year, the number of en-
ployes classified according to age and
sex, and the daily and average wages
paid each employee; and the exploitation
of such other subjects as will tend to
promote the permanent prosperity of the
respective industries of the State.
In addition to the large amount OF
statistical work incumbent upon the
above duties as ordered by law the stat
ute provides that it shall be the duty Of
the commissioner of labor to cause to be
enforced all laws regulating the employ
ment of children minors and women; all
! ~.
health, lives and limbs of operators in
workshops and factories. on railroads
and other places; all laws regulating the
payment of wages, and all laws enacted
for the protection of the working classes
This work cannot be done in the office
We are in receipt Of a great number of
complaints that require investigation and
some of the laws are very difficult to en-
ef,,ax of,,i
consideration.
With the funds available we are able to
have but two inspectors. the deputy COM
missioner and the woman factory inspec-
tor and at that the latter can work but
part of the time. New Hampshire, less
wealthy state. has four inspectors en-
gagged in the enforcement Of the child
labor laws alone. But a minor part of
our time and money can be devoted to
this work under present conditions.
We wish to call to your attention that
Maine has a large number of mechanical
and manufacturing establishments where
approximately 10000 people are en-
ployed. The state has made laws for
their protection and welfare but on &C
count of a lack of funds to employ more
inspectors many of the manufacturing
establishments of the state and the peo-
pie who are employed therein have never
received the benefit of these laws.
We cannot escape from our fixed duties
without disobeying the law and at the
same time have not sufficient appro-
priation to properly perform the work
that has been steadily growing since the
establishment of this department with
out similar increase in our pplopria-
ton. With the increase asked we could
carry on the duties of the department in
more satisfactory manner and greatly
increase the usefulness and benefits Of
the department.
Hastings of Auburn-Act making it
lawful to catch suckers with net
in any inland waters of the state.
This act provides for commission
of five men, one of whom shall be an
expert civil engineer one an expert
hydraulic and electrical engineer two
experienced dam builders, and the
fifth a capable business man. They
are to pass civil service examination
before board consisting Of four pro-
lessons of science, one from each Of
the four Maine colleges, to be desig-
mated by the presidents. The appoint
ments are to be made by the governor
upon recommendation by this board.
PROVISION is also made for their re-
moVal for cause after hearing by the
executive council.
This commission is authorized to
ascertain the amount ana location of
all water powers, occupied and I'M
occupied, in the state. 1t is to take
possession of all unoccupied powers
and let them to manufacturers or
others in want of cheap power. It is
to acquire land necessary for the work
of developing such powers and is given
rights OF eminent domain for this pur-
pose. The bill also authorizes the COM
mission to take over all occurred
water powers in the state Provision
is made for paying owners of such
powers for the abutting land. In leas-
ing such seized occupied power, the
commissioners are to give preference
to the person, company, or corpor-
alton from which it is taken The
price which is to be charged for power
from such plants, is not to be less
than $50 per horse power per year.
Provision is also made for the COM
mission to allow company or cor
poration, to lease and improve I'M
occupied water powers under n ten
year lease, which MAY be renewed in
periods of ten years at a rental Of $40
per horse power per year for the first
ten years.
The maximum price which the COM
mission shall charge for power is fixed
at $50 rer horse power per year. This
rental is to be paid quarterly.
The bill further provides for the
regulation Of ice cutting on rivers.
Farmers end private individuals may
cut ice for home use free of cost.
All others must pay the commission
Is cents a tor for all ice cut.
The hill provides that the legisla-
ture shall raise sufficient sum of
money. either by appropriation or
bond issue. to carry out the provis-
Ions Of the act.
The commissioners are to receive
] $500 per year, with travelling ex-
pense, and are to have quarters in
the state house. They are to have a
clerk at salary of $1,000 a year. The
act takes control of water powers
from the public utilities commission.
Chatto Of Hancock-Act requiring
the setting Of permanent bounds at
the angles of all lands conveyed