Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-07-16
INTERESTING FACTS
ON MINIMUM WAGE
Industrial Commission Issues
Statement on Wisconsin
Law Relating to Rate
of Wages Paid.


Minimum wage laws are now In
operation in fourteen states and in
the District of Columbia and in prac-
tically all foreign countries. The idea
behind these laws is that 'sa laborer
is worthy of his hire Every woman
who puts in 6ohesg day of work
should be paid ernughssQ support her
self in reasonable deceney and comfort
at least after the learning period.
This has been requirement of law
in this state since 1913. Not until
1919, however, was a determination
made of what is the living wage.
This law applies to all employers of
women and minors, in every occupa-
ton. The minimum rate which may
be paid to every adult woman or to
every minor over II years of age is IS
cents per hour during the first three
months Of employment in trade or
industry, 20 cents per hour during the
second three months, and % cents
per hour after six months. In sea-
sonal industries which operate for
only few months during the year no
learning period is recognized and all
women and minor employees must be
paid at least % cents per hour.
Minors between IA and II must be
paid at least l8 cents per hour, which
rate must be increased TO 20 cents per
hour when the minor is past is and
has completed three months in the
industry. Where board and lodging
is furnished by the employer, he may
claim a credit therefor of $3.50 per
week for board and 500 per week for
lodging.
Special orders have been made for
small telephone exchanges and for
hospitals and sanitariums. These es-
Establishments must pay the same
hourly rates as other employers. Since
the work is intermittent, it has been
found necessary TO determine special
ly the number of hours which may be
taken as fairly representing the actu-
al amount OF work done and which
must be paid for.
The only women or minor employees
to whom less than the rates given
alb, ge may be paid are indentured ap-
prentfces and physically or mentally
handicapped persons who have been
licensed by the Industrial Commits
sion to work for less than the living
wage No such license can be grant
ed unless there is a genuine handicap
and unless the rates paid are adequate
to enable all employees who are not
handicapped to earn at least the
minimum living wage.
Employers very generally have ac-
cepted this law without complaint
At present prices. % cents per hour is
not desirable wage, but only mini
mum living wage. Most women and
minor employees in the state are and
should be we'll above this minimum.
Nor is this wage based upon Milwau-
kee prices, but rather upon conditions
in the small towns.
It is true that only rs per cent of
the women employees in Wisconsin
live away from home. Most of the
other 70 per cent, however, must con-
tribute TO the family treasury at least
enough for their maintenance.
1t is recognized also that in many
occupations an employee cannot be-
come truly efficient in six months.
After six months, however, every en-
ployee who is at all suited for the
work, should be able to earn enough
to support herself.
The Wisconsin minimum wage law
is reasonable and it's requirments are
much less stringent than those of the
laws of other states.