The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-05-01
GREATEST YEAR
 IN HISTORY OF LABOR IS ENDED
Workingmen Obtained More Benefits Since May, 1915,
 Than Ever Before.
METAL TRADES HAD
 THE MOST STRIKES
Beneficial Legislation En- acted In All But Five
 States of Union.

| L. Dor received more in the year ending with May 1 in increased wages, short ening of hours and legislation than ever before in it's history, according to officials of the American Federation of Labor. Wage advances were general the country over in virtually every line of industry and laws benef1tfng labor were put on the statute books of every state in the Union, except five.
 Wage increases were greatest in the tIneta1 trades, many of which were stimulated by war orders. Cotton manufacturing was the only main in dustry which did not grant substan- tipI increases The metal trades, too, claimed the greatest number of strikes during the year, though many plants increased the pay of their men and cut working hours voluntarily.
 One benefit brought by the indus trial revival which labor. officials con- slider as important as increases in wages was the effect on unemp1oy- rnent, which has disappeared within the last year. Statistics just complet- ed by the Department of Labor show that men of. all trades have been called in to work. Iron and steel mills have on their payro1ls now s per cent. more men than were employed a year ago and the car building and. repairing in dustry has increased its forces by about the same percentage. Manufac- turers of boots and shoe are employ ing 20 per cent. more men than this time last year.
 Wage increases during the year have ranged from five to 15 per cent. No statistics have been compiled by either the Department of Labor or the Amer ican Federation of Labor, but reports ing accomplished in manufacturing plants in all parts Of the country.
 The Department of Labor puts the country's 1915 strikes at 1 300, about 300 thirds of them were for wage in creases or decreased working hours and most of them were successful. Mu- nitions strikes starting in the sum merH of 1915 attracted much attention. Most of them were for shorter hours generally were obtained by the muni- tions workers, but where wage i'm creases were asked the workers sell dom got as much as they asked for.
 Strikes in the clothing industry in Eastern cities involved a number of strikes, but their duration was mo paratively short. A Middle Western clothing strike, in Chicago, however, lasted for three months and involved from 5000 to 25, 900 workers. Other strikes of importance during the year included the Building trades strike in
 
 city for time; the oil and chemical strikes at Elizabeth, N. J., and neigh horing cities and the Chicago street car strike. The Eastern Ohio coal strike was settled just a year ago. T The causes of strikes and lockouts were numerous. In a total of 1,200 strikes, 300 were for wage increases; 133 for a shorter working day; 90 be- cause of wage cuts; 50 because of dis charge of union men; 40 because of employment of non-union men and 20 for open or closed shop YI
 The most significant feature of the years labor Legislation is given by la Dor leaders as enactment of work mems compensation laws The growth of the industrial commission plan is considered of great importance also. This plan unites in one authority the administration of workrnen' : compen- sation, factory inspection and other labor laws. It was adopted during the year by Colorado, Indiana, Montana, Nevada and New York
 Unemployed received the attention of a number of legislators. Illinois established a commission on uneIn- ployment; California and Nevada in vesttgated unemployment conditions ployment through county boards.
 Public employmen officers were es- tafbhshed by California, Idaho, Iowa, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. H. 1nno1s, Michigan and Oklahoma ex- tended their public employment sys- tems. Seven states provided for 1f- censing and supervising private em- pIoyment offices
 Laws relating to the employment of women and children were passed bv a number of states. Arkansas and Kan sas enacted minimum wage laws and Californi- Massachusetts and Wash ington amended minimum wage laws already in force. Eleven states now have minimum wage legislation. Ar kansas and Pennsylvania passed child labor legislation during the year.
 In the field of safety provision the most detailed enactments were those formulated by the Industrial Commits sion of Wisconsin and the industrial board of New York and Pennsylvania. The seamen's act, the Alaska and Ar 1z9na old age pension laws and Cali forni's appointment of a commission to report on social insurance were oth- CT important enactments