The Spectator., 1915-06-25
FEWER CHILDREN AT WORK
National Child Labor Conference Re ports That Excellent Results
 Have Been Attained.

of the National Child Labor commit tee. said at the child labor conference at San Francisco: "The up-to-date manufacturer wants efficient, respon- sible. well-trained workers-he does not want children at his machines. So we see a manufacturers bill passed In Michigan raising the age limit from fourteen years to fifteen; we see large employers indorsing the proposal of forbid all employment of children un- der sixteen during school hours; we see Pennsylvania limiting the working day of her fourteen and fifteen year old children to less than forty-eight hours a week in order that they shall day school (and incidentally. at last, eliminating them from her glass facto- ries at night). Alabama has fixed a date after which no children under fourteen shall be employed in her cot ton mills"
 Cooperation between the farmers unions and the trades unions would enable both organizations to secure remedial legislation much easier" said President Marks in his address to the convention of the Georgia State Fed eration of Labor. The farmers. as a general rule. regard us as selfish. but wherever we have the opportunity to explain to them our objects and prin- ciples they are quick to acknowledge their mistake and express a willing ness to cooperate with us. would recommend that efforts be continued to establish closer relationship with the farmers and never lose an opportu- nifty to attend and address their meet ings."
 The Chicago millmen's strike, which has been in progress since early April and which affected about 5000 men. has come to an end. About 400 men returned to their shops. It is expected that 500 men will be working soon, and that in a short time all of the employ ees will have returned and the mills will be working at full capacity. It was stated that the reason that not all of the men will return to their jobs Is that employers are unable to get lumber into the mills for them to work on.
 The Carpenters district council of Chicago formally notified Mayor Thompson that the union men are will ing to arbitrate the wage question in the strike of 16.O00 carpenters. Chi cago conditions, it was announced by the union officials. are expected to gov ern the arbitration. The Carpenter Contractors association expects wage arbitration. leaving the material clause and date of expiration of agreement to the joint arbitration board of the two organizations.
 The Belgian government compels the employer to carry employees liabil- ity insurance. and the employer is fully responsible for all accidents from any cause whatever. but is protected by insurance against such accidents is- sued by companies established for this purpose. subject to the governments approval.
 Between 16,00O and 1S.000 men will be needed to harvest Oklahoma's mon- ster wheat crop during the coming season. None but English-speaking people are encouraged to go to the state seeking employment in the har- vest fields by the labor department. The wages will range from g to s per day.
 As a means of thoroughly educating its members in the principles of union ism and the history of labor unions. the International Ladies' Garment Workers union is contemplating the establishment of classes in New York. as we'll as elsewhere.
 The demands of labor and the con- such that the cost of living Is con stantly increasing. all extra cost being passed on by the manufacturer and trader to the consumer.
 Minimum rates of pay in the tailor ing trade. amounting to 12 cents an hour for male and seven cents an hour for female workers are to be proposed by the tailoring trade board of Eng land.
 The various carpenters unions of Boston recently agreed on a new wage scale, which calls for 61 cents an hour for a week of 40 hours instead of 55 cents and a week of A hours.
 Employees of the government print ing office will receive 30 days annual leave hereafter instead of 26 days. as the result of decision by Comptroller of the Treasury Downey.
 It is stated that one-fourth of the women workers in Philadelphia re- ceive salaries of less than $6 a week. one-third of them less than $S. and four-fifths less than 10.
 It is expected that the entire matter of the voluntary relief departments of various railroads will come up before the national commission on industrial relations.
 Dundee (Scotland) scavengers. re- eb. oil aH