Denver labor bulletin., 1917-01-20
MINIMUM WAGE
BILL INTRODUCED
Presented by Crowley as An
Administration Measure
Creates Commission to Investigate
and Fix Wages for Various In
dustries Employing Women

The first administrative measure In
troduced in the state legislature pro.
vides for minimum wage and proper
working conditions for women and MI
nors, thru the investigation of state
commission. The bill was introduced in
the house Monday by Representative
Crowley of Denver. 1t was drawn at the
direction of various -women's organiza-
tions by Clara Ruth Mozzor, assistant
district attorney.
Representatives Anderson of Denver
and Friend of jefferson county, have
Joined as sponsors for n measure provio-
ing for an amendment to the child la
Dor law which, if adopted, will prohibir
children of less than fourteen years
from working in the beet fields. The
present law does not protect children so
employed.
The minimum wage bill provides that
the commission shall consist of an en-
ployer, a representative of labor and n
representative of the general public. At
least one member shall be n woman and
all three shall be appointed by the gov
ernor for siN-year terms. The first
three to serve, however, shall serve
terms respectively for two, four and
be at the rate of $50 day foi
services actually rendered. \ secretary
may be appointed.
To Investigate Cases.
The commission shall investigate con.
ditions where women and minors are
said to earn a wage adequate TO supply
the cost of living expenses and TO main
tain in health the women So employed.
The Investigations shall extend to wom-
en- who are Is years old or over, and TO
minor employees under Is years Of age.
Inquiry shall be made at the request OF
not less than twenty-five employees en-
gagged in the same occupation.
The commission is also authorized TO
ascertain what are unrchsonhbly long
hours for women and minors and what
are unreasonably low wages for minors
II shall have full power as n commits
sion to examine books and subpoena
witnesses and TO require statements
from employers regarding the persons
employed and their ages Failure 70
attend as n witness will involve court
procedure. The powers Of the body are
broad enough in scope 10 establish min
imum wage rates, either directly or in
directly.
To Establish Board.
Under the indirect method, the com
mission shall establish n wage board,
consisting of three representatives of
employers m the occupation In question,
three persons TO represent the female
employees, three disintcrested persons to
represent the public. and some one to
represent the commission. II desired.
This board shall endeavor to determine
by open hearings and meetings the
standard conditions of employment and
the minimum wage in the occupation
involved A majority Of the members
of the wage board shall report their
findings TO the commission.
II the commission approves any or all
Of the determinations, notice to this cr-
feet shall be duly published. Persons
favoring or opposing such changes will
be given a public hearing. and then the
commission will finally determine the
issue, making any order effective within
thirty days thereafter.
The commission has the power to fix
the minimum wages for women physl-
cally defective or otherwise unable TO
do an ordinary days work.
Compliance with the rates fixed by
the commission shall devolvc directly
upon the officer or agent Of the com
pnny, who shall, in case of failure. be
deemed guilty of misdemeanor and finen
not less than 500 or imprisoned for no,
less than thirty days.
Provision is made for an appropris-
tion of $4,000 to carry out the purposes
OF this act in the next biennial pcrioc.
THE MEDICAL WAC.