Evening journal., 1917-01-31
LABOR commission
REPORTS ITS WORK
Favors New Law to Con.
form to Recently
Federal Statute
AMENDMENTS TO TEN
HOUR LAW FAVORED
star Correspondent

- - ~ AaAA W \ ~ ' OAh4A
Stan Correspondent.
DOVER, Del, Jan. 3I.-Fhe Labol
Commission Of Delaware gives a review
OF its work for the year in the annual
report which was sent to the Legis
lature today from the Governors Of
nee. The report was addressed 20
Governor Charles r. Miller, but owing
TO only one branch OF the General As
sembly being organized when former
Governor Miller's term expired, the
report was not-submitted until today.
The report follows:
Since our last report OF one year
ago, the term OF one member Of the
commission, Charles Warner, expired,
and his re-appOintment was made for
the fve-year term, provided by law.
The resignation Of Clarence d. syph-
erd. has been rendered and appoint
ment has been made by the Governor
OF Thomas Clayton Frame. Jr.. 70 hll
the vacancy for the unexpired portion
OF Mr.. Sypherds term.
1.-THE Commission has had the con-
unued services during the past year
OF Charles Fl. Grantland, Child Labor
Inspector, and Miss Mary s. Malone,
Ten Hour Law Inspector, and wishes
70 commend the very satisfactory SER
vices rendered by these employees IN
the administration OF their respective
laws.
THE Commission has also contin-
ued IT'S practice OF holding It's meet
ings open to the public, and has en-
Arn al a. III
the meetings quarterly
The Commission has also contin-
ned it's policy Of cooperation with an
Advisory Volunteer Committee OF pub
lie citizens interested IN the adminis-
tration OF these laws, and has been
well supported and aided by those
who have assisted on this Advisory
Committee.
scholarship assistance in needy
cases has again been rendered during
the year 1915 by the Consumers
League. and has enabled the Commits
sion TO reduce the use OF special per-
mits thereby. It Is the hope OF the
Commission that at an early date laws
establishing widows pensions and
suitable schools for abnormal and in
corrigable children VIII permit OF the
complete elimination OF the use OF the
special permit, a form Of special priv
iiege, which is a cause OF much trouble
and individual study, but which, how
ever, in the judgment OF the Commits
sion cannot be avoided until the enact
ment OF laws TO meet the needy and
abnormal cases that constantly come
TO our attention.
The work OF the Commission and
Inspectors to eliminate the antiquities
OF our present laws covering the Child
Labor and Employment Of Women. has
resulted IN the drafting OF new bill
to be offered to take the place OF the
existing Child Labor Law, and a set
OF amendments applicable to the Ten
Hour Law, 10 properly interpret and
broaden the scope OF woman employ
ment within the State. The detail cor
reotions and changes In the Child La
Dor Law we're so extensive IN part
due to the necessity OF making our
State law conform with the provisions
OF the new Federal Child Labor Law,
as to make a policy OF amending one
that would lead 10 much confusion, in
the belief OF the Labor Commission.
Therefore. the decision 10 present a
complete new law, following In most
respects the underlying principles OF
the old law. Copies OF the new bill
and the amendments 20 the Ten Hour
Law are attached, and made a part Of
this report. and owing to the need OF
these changes. the Labor Commission
recommends the passage OF these bills
by the present session OF the General
Assembly.
During the year 1916 tho Commits
sion has met with n number OF special
problems which II has endeavored to
interpret IN the best interest OF en-
pIoyer and employees, using the under
lying principles OF our existing law
as the basis for interpreting these
special cases In some OF these cases
4 strict Interpretation OF the existing
law would have worked an undoubt-
IDLY hardship both on employer and
without any compensating
,ain, IN the estimation OF the Commits
ion. In such cases the Commission
sHumed the responsibility or endeav-
ring 10 interpret the fundamental
OF our present laws in pro-
sctlon OF the health Of the employees,
y establishing working rules 10 meet
lese emergency conditions. So far as
q are aware these decisions have met
'ith general approval, and the indus
lies have been able TO successfully
perate Hereunder.
During the year 1916 the Commits
Ion held several conferences with the
'rominent Gamers OF Delaware In
,rder 70 complete its study OF he con-
iitions efeoting the employment OF
women and children IN this important
olate industry. Conclusions were ,
reached IN cooperation with these in
eerests. but the new Federal law. since
onaeteo, has changed this condition
somewhat as hereinbeiore stated 2
The total sum expended IN, rn,,o,. I
tors and the Commission for an -,
poses LOT the fiscal year ending Ian :
uary 8 1911 Is submitted herewith /,
showing total disbursements az
sS1797, leaving an unexpenaea az
preparation. OF S1s2.OS out OF the ~
nual State appropriation OF 81 .OOO. Re
port covering the main details OF these
expenditures Is made a part Of the
evidence hereto attached. For more
detailed information, we refer to con-
les OF inspectors reports TO Commits
sion made during the year 1916"
Respectfully submitted,
LABOR COMMISSION OF DELA- /
WARE.
SAY THEY STOLE LARD.