The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-02-18

SIX. states SlIl remaining WlJnOuJ
this form of social insurance are
largely in the non-industrial south.
One more chapter was added to the
shame of Missouri when that state
in referendum at the recent cleo
ton overturned the compensation
law. This adverse action is credited
to the activities of ambulance-chas-
ing lawyers who succeeded in hold
ing down the vote in industrial CEN
ters despite the joint efforts of the
organized employers of the state and
the federation of labor in support of
the law.
1.-THE trend among the states" he
continues, "is steadily toward more
liberal cash payments and adequate
medical care for injured workers.
Rapid progress has been made by
the states in providing for the vo-
cational rehabilitation of industrial
cripples through federal-state CO.
operation under the law recently en-
acted by Congress. The movement
for old age assistance laws in the
states was given an impetus through
the enactment this year by Congress
of a law for compulsory, contribu-
tory old age and disability insurance
for the governments 100000 en-
ployes in the classified civil service
"a significant extension of social
insurance legislation. New York
came into line with a pension system
covering old employees of both city
and state.
"In the field of trade disputes,
Kansas, with an industrial court, and
Texas, with an extraordinary emer-
cency law to prohibit interference
with transportation, attempted to
control strikes by mandatory legis-
lation. Further recognition was
given by Congress to the need of
protection for the increasing army
of women wage-earners by the ere
alton of women's bureau in the de-
nartment of labor. In one state,
Massachusetts, advanced action was
taken looking to the early adoption
of law for maternity protection"
Social Insurance.
Twelve states and Congress amend
ed existing compensation laws, short
ening the waiting period, extending
provisions for medical care and
bringing private casualty companies
doing workmen's compensation bust
ness under stricter control New
York brought within the compensa-
ton law a limited number of occu-
pational diseases, and legislated
against the evil of compensation
runners" Kentucky and Virginia
found it possible to reduce the tax
needed for administrative expenses.
Louisiana made accident insurance
compulsory. North Carolina author
lied a commission to investigate the
desirability of workmen's compensa-
ton. Congress extended the prin-
ciple of federal employers liability
act for railway employees to cover
actions by injured seamen in ad-
miralty.
In line with the new developments
in workmen's compensation, United
States law offers federal aid on a
dollar for dollar basis to states I'M
dertaking to rehabilitate their in
dustrial cripples. New York, New
Jersey, North Carolina and Georgia
This year passed bills accepting the
federal act, making a total of "a
states that have taken action looking
70 such rehabilitation, 10 states hav-
ing by legislative enactment or
through proclamations of acceptance
by their respective governors, ac-
cepted the provisions of the new
federal law. Massachusetts author
lied the appointment of commits
sion on rehabilitation.
Further advanced action was taken
by Congress in the final passage of
bill providing for the retirement
Of superannuated employees in the
federal civil service. New York es-
rablished pension systems for en-
ployes of New York City, New York
state and state charitable institu-
tions. Massachusetts and New Jer-
sey liberalized existing pension laws.
A step forward in the field of ma
ternity insurance legislation was
taken by Massachusetts in authoriz-
ing a legislative commission to in
vestigate the problem of prenatal
and postnatal care for mothers and
their children.
Safety and Health
Child labor restrictions were ex-
forbidding children under sixteen to
clean or repair freight elevators
while Virginia granted children per-
mission to work in canneries when
the schools are not in session. Ore
gon enacted a safety code, Maryland
created a board of boiler rules and
Kentucky required mines, steel mills,
foundries and machine shops to pro-
vide washrooms. Maryland, Ken
lucky and New York authorized the
appointment of commissioner the
former to revise the industrial laws
and in the two latter to revise child
welfare legislation.
Hours and Wages
Hours of children in factories,
workshops and merchantile establish
ments were reduced from ten to
eight day in Virginia. Massachu-
sets made provision for reconvening
minimum wage boards to revise their
awards to meet the high cost of
living.
Trade Disputes
A railway labor board was estab-
lished by Congress to settle disputes
in transportation industries, and laws
enacted forbidding policeman or fire
men in the District of Columbia to
Join labor unions. Kansas establish
ed an industrial court. Texas adopt
ed an extraordinary emergency"
law declaring it to be state policy
that tn Interfere in anv Way with