Middletown transcript., 1919-02-08
MINIMUM WAGE Law
A Commission Consisting Of Three
Persons Will be Appointed
ONE SHALL BE A WOMAN

1 ~ ASS oN' ONesNy Va q w "6S
law for women and minors in The State
the Consumers League of Delaware is
adding one more chapter to the history
of an honorable career. In recent years
its support of progressive measures con-
corning child labor, the Workmen's
Compensation Law. the State Sanitary
Law and the Ten Hour Law are well
known. The League believes that the
time is now ripe for the enactment of
! law which shall set legal minimum
wage below which no girl or woman. or
child worker of both sexes under 18
years, shall be allowed to work. The
principle of this minimum would be
that sum which would insure living
wage acco. ding to the locality end par
ticular industry concerned. for cCndi-
tions would vary in different parts of
the State.
The supporters of the bill claim that
it is the fairest proposal possible. The
bill provides for the establishment of a
Minimum Wage Commission consisting
of three persons, one of whom shall be
n woman. This Commission on petition
of twenty five persons in any industry.
or of the employers in any industry,
shall investigate the wages paid to
women and minors in that industry, and
shall decide after full consi Iteration of
all the facts whether the wages paid
are ''inadequate to supply them with
the necessary cost of living, t =, maintain
them in good health and protect their
morals" In the event of this being
the finding. the Minimum. Wage Com
mission is Empowered to appoint COM
mission or wage board tf nine persons,
three representing the employer. three
representing the employe and three
representing the general public; and it
will be their duty to determine fair
wage for the women and minors in the
industry investigated. Full provision is
made in the bill for inexperienced
women, learners and partially disabled
workers; and it is the belief of those
who have presented the bill to the
Legislature that nothing has been left
undone to provide for fullest justice and
fair play for all concerned.
A uniform bill has been introduced in
six other State Legislatures as we'll as
Delaware this year, when over 40 State
Legislatures are sitting. These states
are Connecticut, New York, New Jer-
sey. Pennsylvania. Delaware, Illinois
and North Dakota; and Delaware enthu-
siasts for the bill look forward to the
Diamond State being the next to join
the Minimum Wage States. Within the
last six years twelve states have already
adopted Minimum Wage Law differ :.
ing in minor details only from the one
described above. Not only the "free'
west but hardheaded manufacturing
states like Massachusetts are represent
ed in the minimum wage states of Ar
kansas, California, Colorado, Kansas.
Massachusetts, Nebraska. Oregon,
Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and last
but not last in significance, the feder-
ally governed District of Columbia,
foreshadowing, it is thought, the nation
al will in the matter.
A copy Of the bill has been forwarded
to us and our readers would do we'll to =
write to the Consumers League of
Delaware, Public Library Bldg, Will
mington, for copies for themselves.
IA living wage for Delaware women in
1872 is the slogan for the campaign;
and for our part we wish the public
spirited citizens of the Consumers
League Legislation Committee every
success in their labors.