The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-05
NINE-TWO LABOR LAWS PASSED BY
 THIS CONGRESS
Child Labor Prohibition and WOrkmen's Compensation
 Among Them.

bor laws have been passed by Con- gress and state legislatures during the past legislative year, according to a survey which has been made public bv the American Association TOT Labor Legislation on the eve of Labor Day. The most significant items In this legislation" says the secretary Dr. John B. Andrews. are two na- tional laws, one prohibiting the ship ment in interstate or foreign com merce of certain products in the prep aration of which the labor of children has been employed. and the other pro vtding a model 'sca.e of workmen compensation for personal injuries among federal employees, of which there are now more than 480,0O0.
 Several hundred laeor bills were in troduced into Congress this year." Dr.. Andrews adds, while Il state legis!a- lures in spite of the reaction ground out their full share of the annual grist."
 The association's summary of the more important items of labor leglsia- tion in various states fol ows:
 Three states, Maryland, Massachu-
  themselves with tte legal regulation of collective bargaining. Tn Marylan a state board is authorized to pre- scHbe rules of procedure for arbitra- tion of industrial disputes including power to conduct Investigations and hold hearings to summon witnesses and enforce their attendance, to re- quire the production of books, docu- DI od mi oaths, ev-rcising these powers to the same extent that such powers are possessed by the civ.l courts of the state South Carolina created a board of three members to investigate and to promote agreements in strikes and lockouts at the rate of ten dollars per day each Massachusetts amended her law regulating the procuring of strike breakers.
 During the year seven of the il states holding regular legislative ses- sions passed new or strengthened old laws affecting child labor. Shorter hours, a higher minimum age prohibit tion of night work and exclusion from hazardous employments are the main tendencies. South Carolina raises the minimum work age from 12 to IA, while Massachusetts and New Jersey make special provision for pupils who study part-time in vocational schools and may then work part time.
 'Impelled by recent accidents New Jersey has joined the list of states re- qufring passenger elevators to have interloclxing device automatically pre- venting movement of elevator car un- til shaft door is closed and securely fastened.
 Following the limitation of work ing hours on public work to eight a day in the majority of the states, Mas sachusetts this year provides for her public employees the further limitation of the 48 hour week. In private en- ployment several states place addi- tional safeguards around the employ ment of women and children during the Christmas shopping season. and Massachusetts is to investigate the possibilities of one day of rest in seven for employees in hotels and res- taurants.
 Legislation authorizing public em- p1oyment bureaus in Maryland, the regulation of private agencies in Vir- ginia, and the creation of bureau of farm settlement for immigrants in New York, is supplemented by the California legislatures endorsem ent of the United States Department of La- Dor recommendation that the public land tenure be so regulated as to in- sure to the settler the entire product of his labor
 South Carolina and Virginia patched up their employers liability laws while Kentucky enacted the most progress sive workmen's compensation law in any southern state. Louisiana, Mary land, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York strengthened their compen- sation laws without, however, equally ing the new national law for injured federal employees which is termed the most scientific and most liberal work mems compensation law in the world. Maryland enacted a mothers pension law al, Massa chusetts created a con- mission on social insurance to study sickness. unemployment and old age and to recommend insurance legisla- tion next Janna-v.
 "The reorganization and unif1catso- | or the admlElsl. .dLon of labor laws continues, the most noteworthy changes this year being in Maryland and New Jersey where steps were taken toward consolidation of factory inspection and workmen's compensa- tiOn administration