The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1943-03-04
News From Ohio
State Federation
G. of c. FavOrs Lowering Of Standards
For Women In Industry


Columbus, Ohio. - Labor opposition
to female and minor legislation in the
General Assembly has mounted to such
a degree that the legislature is keenly
aware that Labor will fight these
measures to the limit of its energies
and capacities.
This was demonstrated at the second
hearing of S. b. 126 Itoss) on We'd
nesday, February "A, when 800 per-
sons, the majority of whom shared the
Labor viewpoint, crowded in to the
General Assembly chamber of the
Senate The hearing was held before
the Senate Commerce and Labor Com
mittee.
Strongly emphasizing the opposition
of the Ohio State Federation of La
Dor, Phil Hannah, its Legislative
Agent and SecretaryTreasurer, told
the Committee that Labor wanted
| commission made up of Labor and
Management, advising with the war
| manpoWer commission, recommending
! to the Industrial Relations Department
to make adjustments where needed In
war plants. Hannah was firmly against
changing the basic Ohio law, and de-
clared that Pennsylvania was now
operating successfully under the type
of commission proposed.
| II. j. Duffy, legal counsel for the
| Federation, pointed out, from legal
standpoint, that $. b. 126 completely
nullified existing female and minors
laws, and that state inspection of
plants would no longer be allowed un-
der the proposed law. Duffy further
said that the 54-hour maximum as pro-
posed would not apply to war indus
tries under the bill and that employers
could work women unlimited hours.
Pressing for the adoption of S. B.
1876 were many representatives of prl-
vate corporations and businesses, the
| Ohio Manufacturers Association, and
the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Hotel
and cannery interests pressed hard for
u change i'm lowering ages of minors in
industry.
Several WomenS groups supported
Labor's stand against Il general let-up
of enforcement of female and minor
laws and declared that juvenile dein-
quency was on the increase in indus
| trial cities where mothers were away
from home for long periods: that home
life would be endangered, social stand
ards lowered and women's and chill
dren's health seriously impaired.
The whole tenor of Labor's conten-
tions were that, there was no need 10
tamper with tie present b;isic law !;
that q commission Of Labor and Man
aGement advising with the war man
power commission could recommend
lengthenng hours in plants where it
was necessary, and that this method
was the democratic way of handling
the problem All Labor representatives
were firmly AGAINST allowing non-war
businesses to use tn war as an eN-
cllse to needleSSly exploit women and
children.
Two Navy leutenants appeared be-
fore the committee and backed up
statements made by Il croSley Corp.
executive who was speaking for the
passage of the bill. One labor organ
izalion wired Il protest against the ap-
pearance of the Navy lieuentants to
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Bard
in Washington
\ third hearing on the bill was held
the next day, Thursday, February %.
At this hearing Phil Hannah and other
Labor representatives again lodged
strong protests, as well as did many
womcns organizations.
business interest were heavily repre-
sented as before, and many delivered
orationS on the merits" of s. Il. 126
Another hearing was scheduled for
Monday, March |, but it was not be-
lieVed that this particular piece of
legislation would reach the floor of the
Senate this week.
No Labor issue in recent years has
created such statewide interests as
the Objectionable female and minor
bills Altogether there are total OF
eight in both he Senate and House.
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