Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-12-07
Special to The Daily Tribune.


Helena, Dec. 6.-Drouth of the past
summer, incxease in the population, en-
forcement of child labor and eight hour
law for women, the eight-hour law for
underground miners, handling of wage
claims and need of legislation on the
subject, general improvement in mining
industry Of the state, labor disturbances,
the high cost of living, as it affects sal
aried residents of Montana, and indica-
tons of prolonged and persistent prof
iteering," are among the subjects taken
up in the annual report to Governor 8.
V. Stewart, which has been submitted by
w. j. Swindlehurst, commissioner of la
Dor and industry.
Effects of the Drouth.
In his report Mr.. Swindlehurst said in
part:
tIt is my pleasure to report that not
withstanding the unusual drOuth of the
past season while severe in its immediate
results in some of the agricultural sec
tions, does not appear to have affected
to any great extent the mining, lumber
ing, and manufacturing Industries or
other labor employing interests. Except
\ perhaps in some of the agricultural re-
gions without irrigation, where there
has been total crop failure for several
seasons, there is no particular or sub
stantial reason for anticipating any ces-
sation of the uniform prosperity which
the state has employed for the past sew
eral years.
i"It is a matter of congratulation to
you as chief executive and to the people
as whole. upon the happy conditions
existing within the state. Under WISE
and economic administration the popula-
ton has rapidly increased and, the indus
trial interests greatly enhanced, the varl-
ed and incompatible resources developed
to the extent Of attracting capital and
labor and many new agricultural settlers
all Of which are uniting to make Mon
tana the greatest state in this great
nation"
Enforcing Labor Laws.
In speaking Of the activities Of the
department for the year, Mr.. Swindie-
hurst said:
1.-The department has not limited its
operations merely to the laws which 1t Is
directed by statute to enforce, but mas
undertaken the enforcement OF all laws
dealing with the problem OF labor.
Special attention has been given the
mast wear to the enforcement of child
labor laws and the eight-hour law for
the protection of workingwomen. Rigid
enforcement of these two laws has been
required in all cases brought to the at
tention of the department and absolute
compliance required in every detail.
'1The constitutional provision limit
ing the work Of underground miners TO
eight hours a day has become well ac-
cepted throughout the state and no M
fraction of it's provisions or OF the elSht
hour law on public work has been re-
ported during the past season. ! am
,,Fa dPnnrt
ment has not found it necessary to re-
sort to the extreme measure OF prose
cution in single case.
Need Wage Claim Law.
The work of handling wage claims
BY this office, / regret to say, mas Deen
very unsatisfactory, there being no law
under which to proceed, except the Inec-
hanics lien law. which does not cover
all classes of employment. This de-
partment has frequently directed the at
tention of past legislative assemblies TO
the MANY abuses which ocur III con-
nection with the payment OF wages 70
men who are discharged or leave their
employment prior to regular pay Gays.
1t is a matter of regret that Montana
legislatures have failed to enact some
measure. which would correct abuses OF
this character, which are of daily occur
legislature should enact a law fixing
the time and method of collecting wages
and provide a simple and expedtlous
method of collecting the same Ihe mr.
ing of men and women by persons un-
able or unwilling to pay the wages tnat
accrue. unless there has been previous
understanding as to conditions by Do'n
parties. is in our opinion IN the saihe
category as obtaining money under
and npnaifV
be the same.
Mining Improves.
ut has been extremely gratifying to
the department Of labor and industry
70 note the general improvement IN the
mining industry in the state during the
mast year The sudden declaration OF
war in 1914 brought on an almost un-
nrecedented depression in this industry,
which nartic,llarly effected the copper
mines at Butte, and which was followed
later by condition where every re-
source of the nation was marShalled 20
meet the demand Of mineral products
for munitions OF war. war acuvlties
ceased with the signing of the armistice
a LITTLE over year ago. There being
no further demand for mineral products
for munitions of war, and copper expor-
tations having stopped because OF I'M
eettled conditions in European countries,
the mining industry was again seriously
effected. although the silver market re-
maned in satisfactory condition.
'sThe present relative prices Of lead
and silver has resulted in opening old
mines, which were closed with the de-
monitization Of silver and new prospects
and discoveries have been recorded which
are now producing and netting hand
some ret1rns to their owners. A new
life has been given to the field of pros
pecting as everywhere men have been
engaged in searching the hills for preci-
GUS metals.
More Labor Strikes.
SArikes. lockouts and labor disturb
ances have been more numerous and
Xb;r e+ota sorrv to