amaurosis from methyl alcohol is recorded, in spite of the extensive commercial use of methylated preparations in the British Isles.

The conclusions omitted are technical in their nature, relating chiefly to diagnoses of conditions caused by the use of wood alcohol.

On January 4, 1906, Mr. Roberts introduced in the House of Representatives the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed :

A BILL

To Provide for Untaxed Denaturized Alcohol for Industrial Purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled.

That distilled spirits of an alcoholic strength of not less than eighty degrees above proof as defined by sections thirty-two hundred and forty-nine of the Revised Statutes of the United States may, when rendered unfit for drinking purposes or for use as a beverage, be removed from distillery warehouses free of tax, under such regulations as the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, shall prescribe, Provided, that such substance or substances, approved by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue and the Secretary of the Treasury, shall be mixed with such distilled spirits so as to render the same unfit for drinking purposes or for use as a beverage.

SEC. 2. That distilled spirits, before being removed from distillery warehouses free of tax under the provisions of this Act, shall be branded or marked as the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, shall prescribe, and shall have affixed to each cask or package an engraved stamp indicating that such distilled spirits have been rendered unfit for drinking purposes or for use as a beverage, said stamps to be provided and furnished by the several collectors as in the case of other stamps, and to be charged to them and accounted for in the same manner; and for the expense attending the providing and affixing of such stamps ten cents for each stamp shall be paid to the collector of the district on making the entry for such removal.

SEC. 3. That any person who shall rectify or purify distilled spirits which have been removed from distillery warehouses free of tax under the provisions of this Act, by removing or separating the substances from such distilled spirits, by any process whatever, shall on conviction be subject to a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars and be imprisoned not less than six months nor more than three years.

The industries in which wood alcohol is used are numerous and extensive in Massachusetts, and probably few States would offer a larger market for denaturized grain alcohol if the duty were removed and it took the place of the proven unhealthful wood alcohol. It is certainly the duty of manufacturers and legislators to remove such dangerous conditions. The workingman, himself, cannot do it except by "striking," but intelligent legislation should render any such resort unnecessary.

LEGISLATION AFFECTING HOURS OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

No one subject has been given more attention by the Bureau in the Massachusetts Labor Bulletin than that relating to the laws of the United States, and also of foreign countries, containing general provisions as to hours of labor for different classes of employees, and special provisions

relating to the employment of women and children. It is our purpose in this article to present a summary of the legislation on these points that was passed in 1905. It will be necessary to condense the laws as much as possible here, and we recommend that the reader desiring a full comprehension of the laws refer to the statutes of each State, references to same being given in each case.

GENERAL LEGISLATION - HOURS OF LABOR.

California. The work and hours of employees engaged in selling at retail drugs and medicines, and compounding physicians' prescriptions, are limited to 10 hours a day or 60 hours a week of six consecutive days. Penalty provided for violation. (Chap. XXXIV.)

The addition of two sections to the penal code makes it unlawful for any laborer, workman or mechanic to be employed for more than eight hours in a day upon any work for the State or any of its political divisions, except in cases of emergency. Penalty provided for violation. These added sections make it a felony for any person who employs laborers on public works to retain any part of the wages of such employees. (Chap. DV.)

Colorado. Certain employments in mines, underground work and about smelters are declared to be dangerous and injurious to health, life and limb, and the period of work for all persons in such employments is limited to eight hours in one day, except in cases of emergency; to meet requirements a certified report of emergency to be made to the Commissioner of Labor Statistics within 10 days after the commencement of such emergency, and prescribes penalty for violation. (Chap. 119.)

Kansas. The employment of certain railroad employees for more than 16 consecutive hours is forbidden, except in case of great emergency. Penalty provided for violation. (Chap. 342.) Missouri. Any corporation or receiver operating a line of railway, in whole or in part, in the State of Missouri, or an officer or agent of such corporation or receiver, is prohibited from requiring or permitting any conductor, engineer, foreman, brakeman, train dispatcher, telegraph operator or any trainman who has worked in his respective capacity for 16 hours within a day of 24 hours, except in case of accident, to again go on duty or perform any work until he has had at least eight hours' rest. Penalty prescribed. (Approved March 25, 1905.)

Persons, companies and corporations are prevented from working laborers in mills, reduction plants, refineries, smelters, and all other institutions for the crushing or separating or reduction or refining of minerals or ores, more than eight hours in a day of 24 hours, and fixing eight hours as a day for such laborers. (Approved April 10, 1905.)

Montana. Eight hours of labor constitute a day's work on all works undertaken, carried on or aided by municipal, county, or State governments, and on all contracts let by them, and in mills and smelters for the treatment of ores, or any underground mines. Penalty provided. (Chap. 50.) Nevada. An act approved March 9, 1903, providing for eight-hour day on all public and municipal works is amended. The amendment provides penalties for employees as well as employers in case of violation of the eight-hour law. (Chap. XXXII.)

LEGISLATION AFFECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

California. No minor under the age of 18 shall be employed more than nine hours in any one day, except to provide for a shorter day's work for one day of the week, the hours of labor in no case to exceed 54 weekly. Minors under 16 years shall not be employed between the hours of 10 P.M. and 6 A.M. No child under 14 years shall be allowed to work, except that children over 12 years may work during school vacations or upon a permit specially issued for specified employment. No minor under 16 shall work at a gainful occupation during sessions of public schools, unless minor can read and write English, or unless he or she attends a regularly conducted night school. Employers of minors under 18 must keep notices posted stating the number of hours a day for each day of the week required of such persons. Record of names, ages, schooling of minors under 16 and over 14 years employed under this law must be kept by employers. The law also specifies the manner in which certificates shall be issued and by whom. Penalty provided for violation. (Chap. XVIII.)

The age at which, and the term and occupation for which, minors may be apprenticed are established; the rights and responsibilities of masters in and toward their apprentices are set forth. (Chap. CDXVII.)

Connecticut. Concerning certificates of age of employed children: Each person or corporation employing children under 16 years either in mercantile, mechanical or manufacturing establishments is required to obtain certificates showing that each child so employed is over 14 years old. Penalty prescribed for violation. (Chap. 115.)

Illinois. The law relating to employment in mines is amended. The amendment raises the minimum age at which boys may be employed for manual labor in or about any mine to 16 years. (Approved May 13, 1905.)

Kansas. The employment in factories, packing houses and mines of persons under 14 years of age is prohibited. Employment in other occupations or places of persons under 16 years of age is regulated. (Chap. 278.)

Maine. Section nine of chapter 123, Public Laws, relates to the protection of children, and provides that no person shall employ or cause to be employed, exhibited, used, or have in custody or train for use, employment or exhibition, any child under 16 years of age.

Massachusetts. Chapter 106 of the Revised Laws is further amended by striking out section 31 and inserting in place thereof the following: Section 31. An age or schooling certificate shall not be approved unless satisfactory evidence is furnished by a certificate of birth or baptism of such minor, or by the register of birth of such minor with a city or town clerk, that such minor is of the age stated in the certificate, except that other evidence, under oath, may be accepted in case the superintendent or person authorized by the school committee, as provided in the preceding section, decides that neither the certificate of birth or baptism, nor the register of birth is available for the purpose. (Chap. 213.)

The employment and school attendance of minors is further regulated by an amendment so that no child under the age of 14 and no child who is over 14 and under 16 years of age who does not have a certificate as required by law certifying to the child's ability to read at sight and to write legibly simple sentences in the English language shall be employed in any factory, workshop, or mercantile establishment. No child under the age of 14 years shall be employed at work performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during the hours when the public schools of the city or town in which he resides are in session, or be employed at work before 6 o'clock in the morning or after 7 o'clock in the evening. No certificate shall be approved by any person for a minor under 16 years who intends to be employed in a factory, workshop or mercantile establishment, unless such person is satisfied that such minor is able to read at sight and to write legibly simple sentences in the English language. (Chap. 267.)

Michigan. The amendment to Act No. 113 of the Public Acts of 1901 increases the list of places in which it is unlawful to employ children under 14 years of age and provides for certificates of age for foreign-born children. (No. 171.)

The Act of 1899 providing fans or blowers in all workshops or establishments where wheels composed partly of emery or buffing wheels or emery belts are used is amended by the addition of a section forbidding the employment of any female in operating or using any of the wheels or belts specified. (No. 172.)

Missouri. An act to make education compulsory, to forbid the employment of any child between eight and 14 years of age during school hours, and to provide penalties for violation of the act. (Approved April 11, 1905.)

Montana. The employment of children under 16 years of age in underground mines is prohibited. Penalties provided for violation. (Chap. 16.)

New Hampshire. The amendment to section 14, chapter 180, Public Statutes, regulating the hours of labor for women and minors in manufacturing and mercantile establishments forbids the employment of women and minors under 18 years of age for more than 58 hours a week during July and August. (Chap. 102.)

The granting of employment certificates for minors in the city of Manchester is regulated. (Chap. 205.)

New Jersey. Supplement to the act approved March 24, 1904, "regulating the age, employment, safety, health, and work hours of persons, employees and operatives in factories, workshops, mills, and all places where the manufacture of goods of any kind is carried on, and to establish a department for the enforcement thereof," the amendment makes the provisions of the act applicable to bakeries.

(Chap. 102.)

New York. The amendment to the consolidated school law relative to the employment of children, attendance officers, truant schools, etc., raises the minimum age at which children may be employed during the school term from 12 years to 14 years, and requires all employees under 16 years old (had been 14 years) to present schooling certificates and specifying educational requirements for such children. (Chap. 280.)

Amendment to the labor act relative to the evidence of age of minor employees in factories, mercantile, and other establishments, contains provisions requiring any employer upon termination of employment of a registered child to return the certificate to the child or the parent, guardian or custodian, also to furnish on demand of the Commissioner of Labor evidence of the age of any child in his employ. (Chap. 493.)

The amendment to the labor law relative to the issuance of employment certificates requires that the parent, guardian or custodian of the child desiring employment shall apply for the certificate in place of the child, and by specifying evidence required as to the age and schooling of the child. (Chap. 518.)

The amendment to the labor law relating to children working in streets and public places makes the restriction relative to newsboys applicable to cities of the second class as well as to the first class.

(Chap. 519.)

Oregon. The amendment to the act regulating the employment of child labor makes school attendance compulsory for all children between eight and 14 years of age and for all children between 14 and 16 years who are not employed at some lawful work; forbids employment of children before 7 A.M. or after 6 P.M.; requires employers to keep on file, and accessible, age and schooling certificates required for employees under 16 years of age; designates persons by whom certificates may be issued; and the evidence required to prove the age of a child; prescribes the forms of age and schooling certificates and employment tickets; provides fines for employers or parents or guardians who violate this law; provides that at all times at least three members of the board of inspection of child labor shall be women. (Chap. 208.)

Pennsylvania. An Act regulating the employment of minor children in or about any anthracite coal mine or colliery; prohibiting the employment of any child under the age of 16 years inside of any anthracite coal mi ; prohibiting the employment of any child under 14 years of age in or about any anthracite coal-breaker or colliery, or the outside workings thereof; prohibiting the employment of any minor child, of any age, in or about either the inside workings of any anthracite coal mine or in or about any anthracite coal-breaker or colliery, or the outside workings thereof, unless the person, firm, co-partnership or corporation, employing said minor child, shall first obtain and file the employment certificate, as provided for by this act, and carry out the other duties provided by this act; fixing the duties of the common school superintendents, or other officials in relation to the issuance of employment certificates; and providing a penalty for the violation of the provisions of this act. (No. 222.)

An Act to regulate the employment, in all kinds of industrial establishments, of women and children employed at wages or salary, by regulating the age at which minors can be employed and the mode of certifying the same, and by fixing the hours of labor for women and minors; to provide for the safety of all employees in all industrial establishments, and of men, women, and children in all buildings in which proper fire-escapes, exits, and extinguishers are required; to provide for the health of all employees, and of men, women, and children in all such establishments and buildings, by proper sanitary appliances; to regulate employment in tenement-houses; and to provide for the appointment of inspectors, office clerks and others, who, with the Chief Factory Inspector, shall constitute the Department of Factory Inspection; to enforce the same, and providing penalties for violations of the provisions thereof; fixing the term and salaries of the Chief Factory Inspector and his appointees. (No. 226.)

Rhode Island. The amendment to the law relative to the employment of minors raises the minimum age of the employment of children to 13 years up to December 31, 1906, and 14 years thereafter; provides that children under 16 years of age shall not be employed after 8 P.M. nor before 6 A.M., except on Saturday, or the four days immediately preceding Christmas; requires that all employees under 16 years of age must have school certificates vouching for their age, schooling, etc.; that certificates must be kept by employer at place of employment and shown to factory inspectors on demand; provides form of certificates; provides that any person doing business within the State employing five or more persons or employing any child under 16 years of age comes under the provision of this act; imposes a fine of $500 maximum on any person, or corporation, who employs a child under 16 years of age without proper certificate, or who makes a false statement in regard to any part required by such certificate. (Chap. 1215.)

Tennessee. Requires that certain employers provide seats for female employees. Penalty prescribed for violation. (Chap. 171.)

West Virginia. The amendment to the act entitled "Employment of Children" adds mercantile establishments to the list of establishments in which the employment of children under 12 years of age is forbidden; forbids employment of children under 14 years of age during public school term, except in such employments as do not interfere with the regular attendance at school; makes it the duty of the Commissioner of Labor to report all violations of the act. (Chap. 75.)

Wisconsin. Deprives a parent, in certain cases, of the right to the earnings of his minor child. (Chap. 226.)

THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW.

The amendment to the law relating to the employment and school attendance of minors, passed at the 1905 Session of the Legislature, as Chapter 267, went into effect on January 1, 1906.

The law (with the amendment in italics) is:

§ 28. No child under the age of 14 years and no child who is over 14 and under 16 years of age who does not have a certificate as required by the following four sections certifying to the child's ability to read at sight and to write legibly simple sentences in the English language shall be employed in any factory, workshop, or mercantile establishment. No child under the age of 14 years shall be employed at work performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during the hours when the public schools of the city or town in which he resides are in session, or be employed at work before six o'clock in the morning or after seven o'clock in the evening.

No certificate as provided for by §§ 29 to 32 inclusive of chapter 106 of the Revised Laws shall be approved by any person for a minor under the age of 16 years who intends to be employed in a factory, workshop, or mercantile establishment, unless such person is satisfied that such minor is able to read at sight and to write legibly simple sentences in the English language.

In view of the uncertainty as to the best methods for putting these laws into operation, the Secretary of the State Board of Education issued the following suggestions to the school superintendents throughout the State:

1. For children who have been at work under the earlier statute, use simple sentences in a Second Reader and require that the sentences shall be understood.

For writing, dictate the same or similar sentences and require that they be intelligible.

2. For such as are not able to meet these requirements, provide special instruction in small classes, under skilled teachers, and as soon as a child can meet the tests give him a certificate.

3. For children who have not been at work and in whose case no immediate exigency exists, I suggest that a higher standard be adopted to carry out the extent of the law.

By using the means suggested, whatever hardship may be caused by the enforcement of the law can be only of very short duration.