Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-11-10
Labor Laws Are Not
Fully Understood
Commissioner States

There appears to be general mis-.
understanding about the effect of the
laws regulating the hours of work in
different industries, and particularly
concerning the employment of women
and minors, and, for the benefit of
those who address the department of
labor anonymously without other means
of having their misconceptions cor
rected, Labor Commissioner Hoff has
prepared a condensed outline of the
effect of the different labor laws gov
erning the hours of work for men, wo-
men and children, as foifows:
In Mills and Factories.
No person can be employed at the
regular wage in any mill, factory or
manufacturing establishment in the
state more than 10 hours in any one
day except watchmen and employees
when engaged in making necessary re-
pairs, or in case of emergency where
life or property is in imminent danger.
But employees may work overtime not
to exceed three hours in any one day
if they are paid for such overtime at
the rate of one and one-half the regular
wage. Overtime wages cannot be col
lected, however, after receipt has been
signed as paid in full.
In Underground Mines.
Persons working in underground
mines are not permitted to work more
than s hours in any "a and the hours
of employment of each day must be
consecutive except the intermission of
time for lunch or meals. In case of
emergency such miners may work for a
longer time during the continuance of
the emergency. This law does not APP
ply to mines in their first stages of
development, such as tunnel work to a
length of 200 feet, or to shaft work to
depth of $50 feet, or to any surface
| excavation.
On Public Works.
1t is unlawful to employ any labore1
more than s hours in any one day, OF
4S hours in one week, in work being
done for the state, county, school dis
tricts, municipal corporations or sub
divisions, except. in cases of necessity
emergency or where public policy alb
solutely requires it, and in such cases
J such laborer must be paid double
, wages for all overtime. This provision
does not apply to- state institutions o.
departments.
Any person working in the operation
or repair of any plant owned or oper
ated by any city or town having G
population of not more than 1000 in
habitants may be permitted to labor
more than hours in any one day, but
not more than Sc hours in any one
week.
Employment of Women
Females are not permitted to be en-
ployed in any manufacturing, mechan
ical or mercantile establishment, laun
dry, hotel, restaurant, or telegraph ol
telephone establishment or office, oil
by any express or transportation com
pany in this state more than 10 hours
during one day, or more than 60 hours
in one week.
(This provision does not apply tt
females employed in harvesting, pack
ing, curing, canning or drying any
variety of perishable fruit, vegetable
or fish, provided they be paid time anc
a half for time over 10 hours per da!
when employed in canneries, driers o
packing plants, and provided further
that piece workers shall be paid on
ane one-half the regular prices for al
work during the time when employee
over 10 hours per day.)
Women employed in any of the abov
establishments must be provided wit
suitable. seats and permitted to use tn
same when they are not at work.
Hours of Labor.
No person shall employ any woma
in any occupation in the state NOR
than "a hours in any one week exceI
in fruit and vegetable canneries wher
women may be employed for go hour
week.
No more than 8 hours in any day e.
cept in offices, woolen mills and frui
and vegetable canning, packing an
preserving establishments, where W.
men may be employed not to exceed ]
hours in any one day.
In any office establishment in th
city of Portland for more than 81 houl
in any one week.
In a mercantile establishment in I'll
city of Portland more than hours an
20 minutes in one day nor more tina
80 hours in one week.
Rest Periods.
No person shall employ any woma
in any occupation in the state of Or
gon for more than hours of continl
90 1olor rrv;4bou+ a rac+ y,or;oJ of 9