Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-09-09
COMMISSIONER EDDY
REVIEWS maine Law
:. TO FIX LABOR WEEK

commissioner Of labor for the State Of
Maine, in a statement issued Thursday
comes out strongly in favor Of the ac-
ceptance by the people in the election
next Monday Of the 54-hour law so called,
which was passed It the last session Of
the Legislature and the operation Of
which was suspended through the me-
dunn Of the referendum. Mr.. Eddy was
appointed during the administration of
the last governor William T. Haines of
Waterville. Commissioner Eddys state
ment is as follows:
THE first law enacted in the State of
Maine to regulate the number of hours
per week which women and minors could
be employed was passed in 1887. The law
remained In force without change until
1909. 1t provided that no female minor
under Is years of age, no male minor
under 16 years Of age, and no woman
should be employed in laboring In any
manufacturing or mechanical establish
ment in this State more than 10 hours in
any one day or GO hours in any one week.
It further provided that more than 10
hours in any one day could be worked for
the sole purpose Of making shorter
work day for any one day in the week.
And, in addition, the act provided that all
women over IS years Of age could con-
tract, provided that they received extra
compensation. to work not more than six
hours in any one week over time or 60
hours in any one year. During the
period of % years which this law was in
existence, we are unable to find that it
was ever enforced.
I'm 1909, the Legislature amended the
law by passing the so called 5S-hour per
week law for women and minors which is
now in effect. The law as amended in
1909 contained the same provisions as to
overtime for women as the act Of 1857.
On account Of the overtime provision in
the 5S-hour law now in effect. enforce
cult to secure a proper enforcement of
the law.
I'm 1918, the 54-hour bill was introduced
in the Legislature The proponents Of the
bill were soon made aware Of the fact
that the Legislature of 1915 could not ac-
cept A-hour law. and compromise
measure was offered which provided that
women and minors should only be en-
ployed 56 hours week in manufacturing
and mechanical establishments. After an
all-winter contest in the Legislature, the
bill was defeated through the efforts Of
the manufacturers.
EARLY in the session Of 1915 another o.
hour bill was introduced. Section one of
this bill provided that no male minor
under 16 years of age and no female
should be employed in any workshop, fac
tory, manufacturing or mechanical estao-
lishment, or laundry more than nine
hours in any one day except when a diff
ferent apportionment of the hours of la
Dor is made for the sole purpose of MAX
ing a shorter days work for one day in
the week, and In no case shall the hours
of labor exceed "a in one week. Section
two provides that no minor under 16 years
of age shall be employed or be permitted
to work in connection with any establish
ment or occupation named in Section one
before the hour of $50 o'clock in the
morning or after the hour of 6 o'clock in
the evening Of any one day.
Section three exempts all telephone
exchanges unless they employ more than
three operators, also all mercantile es-
Establishments, stores, restaurants, tele-
graph offices. express or transportation
companies during the period from the
18th of December to the oath day Of De-
ceppber, both inclusive. In addition the
law does not apply to persons employed
in millinery shops or stores during the
eight days prior to Easter Sunday.
Neither does 1t apply in cases Of emer-
gency in which there Is danger of life
and property, public health or safety.
Section four provides that no female ex-
cept in case of emergency or extraord-
nary requirement as provided in Section
three of this act shall be permitted to
work for more than six hours continuous
ly at one time In any establishment or
occupation named in Section three OF
this act in which three or more females
are employed without an interval If at
least one hour. Such female may be en-
ployed for six and one-half hours contfn-
uously at one time If such employment
ends later than 100 o'clock in the after
noon, If she is then dismissed for the re-
mainder of the day. The law does not
Apply 10 d. WOIh III any
manner or shape. Neither does it apply
to hotels, and numbering operations are
exempt as we'll as all manufacturing es-
Establishments of business where materials
and products are perishable and require
Immediate labor thereon to prevent de-
day thereof or damage thereto.
II will be seen that this measure con-
tains many exemptions. There is no
question about farmers being exempt or
lumberpen. The question has been
raised in reference to hotels. but 1t Is my
opinion that hotels are exempt. I know
it was the intention Of the members Of
the Legislature not to include hotels.
This matter was especially considered
and eminent counsel was consulted. and
the proponents Of the bill were Informed
that the measure, If enacted. would not
apply to hotels.
when this measure was before the
Legislature for consideration many
amendments were offered. None Of them
were accepted which would in any way