The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-27

dealt in the state. and this we think OF
Particular importance To the working
classes.
The state labor department which
has been heretofore OF little practical
value to the working men OF the
state Will. through new LEGISLATION
passed by this legislature. become ex-
ceedingly useful. The department has
been strengthened. additional funds
provided Tor It's operation. and two as
sistant labor commissioners provided
Tor. This was another measure urged
by the state Federation of Labor. and
We think In this measure We have
the beginning OF an effective system
OF labor protection and factory inspec-
ton throughout the state
Hospital Care
The hospital law. which provides
that the poor and INDECENT may be
cared Tor by the County Courts in
public hospitals, instead OF in county
poor houses. is another measure
which the working people advocated.
and which we are gratified TO saw was
successful
These are the principal labor
measures that have come before the
legislature and have been enacted into
laws. They constitute. 1 think. a re-
markable body OF humanitarian legis-
lation. not only for the benefit Of the
working people. but for the benefit OF
the whole people of the State. These
laws were endorsed by the State Fed.
Grafton OF Labor. not only as labor
laws, but as labor and humane meas
ures. The representatives of the
state Federation looked for their pass
age. and, / am glad TO say. received
the hearty support and cooperation
OF large number OF the most infuen.
tial members of the legislature, and
particularly OF Governor Hatfield him
self
Included In Message.
several months previous to the
meeting OF the legislature the presi-
dent or the State Federation OF Labor
had the pleasure OF meeting Governor
Hatfield and presenting to him an out
line OF the measures wanted by the
State Federation. The Governor in
cluded most OF those measures in his
message, and during the legislative
session, Governor Hatfield proved on
many occasions that he possessed the
keenest sympathy with the aspira-
tons OF labor. and. moreover. his prac-
teal work for the bills above men
toned was OF tremendous value in Sc
curing their passage.
Only In one important particular
was there no progress made in legis-
lative measures. No advance was
made in child labor legislation. and
as to this matter I want TO call par
ucular attention to the fact that the
bills prepared by the representatives
OF labor would undoubtedly have be
come laws had Il not been for the
opposition OF members OF the so-caIled
child labor commission who were in
Charleston.
Lsbors Requests.
Here Is what the labor legislation
asked for:
"A law prohibiting the employment
OF children under fourteen years OF
age I'm any occupation.
"a law prohibiting the employment
OF boys and girls under sixteen years
OF age in any hazardous occupation.
and prohibiting the employment OF
anyone under eighteen at night. IN
connection with telephone, telegraph
or like service.
The child labor commission want
ed to insist upon bill absolutely pro-
hlbiting the employment OF boys IN
der sixteen years OF age in any Oc-
cupation. bill which oven labor rep
resentatiyes thought West Virginia
was not prepared for az this time. and
the insistance o. the members Of the
child labor commission upon this leg
islation and the division created
thereby practically prevented the pas
sage Of the seasOnable bills which the
labor Representatives asked FOR
Therefore, the child labor laws 81 the
state remain unchanged. At anoth-
or session we hone to and will make
progress in child labor legislation n
unreasonable and extreme demands
are not forced upon us
In conclusion ! want 10 pay a par