Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-05

evators, etc, Investigated hundreds
of complaints that labor laws have
been violated; have adjusted or as
sisted in adjusting every strike or
labor disturbance except one in the
State; and gone into details Of
thousands OF workmen's compensa-
ton cases.
In view Of the above conditions.
request and strongly recommend that
the law that allows this department
an annual appropriation Of $1,000, ex-
elusive of salaries, be amended to en-
able US to execute the ever increas-
ing duties Of this department in a
manner that will be in harmony with
the Importance Of the work which the
laws Of Maine have assigned to the
Maine Department Of Labor and In
dustry."
A great labor turnover has taken
place. Dec. /. 1916 saw 1855 per-
sons engaged in manufacturing in
Maine. Dec. l. 1918 saw 1870. or
1915 more at the close than at the
beginning. Our statistics show that
25.99S persons engaged in manufac-
turing in the State were employed d.
rectly on war orders at the time the
armistice was signed.
Regarding the workmen's compen-
sation law he says it has been in cf-
feet more than three years and has
accomplished much. but it needs re-
vision and correction from beginning
to end. Il earnestly recommend that
Tie Legislature change this law in
manner to give the Dnjure> >clploye
what is due him without unreason-
able delay or unnecessary inconven-
ience."
The Fifty-Four Hour Law has now
been in effect for more than two
years during a period in which il
has been very difficult to maintain a
complete enforcement of labor laws.
The Maine law has stood the test
well. Very few complaints have been
received. Occa sionally an employer
has claimed that the law should De
amended to the effect that male min
ors under the age of 16 and women
should be allowed to work more than
81 hours per week under certain cir
cumstances and conditions. En-
p!oyes have at different times sug-
gested that amendment should be
made which would prevent women
from being employed nights. l do
not approve of either of these amend
ments. / am satisfied that Maine has
a good 54-hour law with which the
people have become familiar and
/ there is not demand for either Of
these amendments which will justify
81, no <N ;oI,
people have now become so we'll ac-
custcmed.
: In reference to employment agen-
! cies. l desire to say that it is my
/ opinion that legislation should be Sc
cured toward the end that the rrin-
! ciple of the fee system as practiced
by private employment agencies shall
be abolished in Maine. The United
States. through the employment
, service during the war. has largely
I eliminated the fee service in this
State. We believe that legislation
! should be enacted that would allow
the State Department of Labor to CO.
operate with the United States en-
/ p!oyment service toward the end that
all employment agencies in Maine are
conducted by and under State and
| federal authorities.
The phase Of factory inspection up
on which l wish to lay particular
stress is the guarding of machinery
for the purpose Of preventing indus
! trial accidents. which are increa sing
! to an alarming extent in Maine.
During 1915 accidents reported were
| SEn. in to1 49, 4
| in 1918. they reached 1892. 1t Is not
the purpose Of this department to
conduct a campaign of prosecution.
On the contrary. we desire to con.
duct a campaign Of education in CO.
operation with the employers and be.
lieve that in great majority Of cases
We will have the sympathy and entire
support Of the employer.
Il earnestly recommend that ways
and means be provided by this Legis.
lature that will allow this department
| to at least make an attempt to pre-
vent what is now, in my opinion. an
unnecessary waste of life and limb"
! Regarding child labor. the COM
missioner says: I'm my opinion the
educational test should be furnished
the local school superintendent by tho
State superintendent of schools.
| Could this he done. the educational
test would be graded throughout the
State. 1t very often occurs under
! the present law. that a child will at
| tempt to secure a work permit from
the superintendent of schools in the
town in which he resides, and is re.
fused. He will so to another town
where there is a different supcrin-
tendent and secure the permit. II
the test was uniform. Of course this
condition would be overcome. Be.
sides. il the educational test was fur
| nished by the State superintendent OF
schools. local influence would not
have the effect it now has in some
cases."
In addition he suggests that the
factory age be changed from II to
: Is while schools are in session. In
effect the present law provides that
any minor after he becomes ii years
Of age can be employed in manufac-
turing establishment, providing he Sc.
cures a work permit from the school
superintendent. l recommend that
the law be amended to the effect that
no child under the age of Is can be
employed for hire while school is in
session.
Commissioner Eddy in closing says
the department has worked in har-