CHAPTER VI BUREAU OF LABOR The national aid and supervision of the laboring interests of the country were first proposed in Congress about the year 1867, and a reference to page 13 will show the legislation then introduced. A Bureau of Labor was organized in January, 1885, under act of Congress approved June 27, 1884 (23 Stat., 60), as a part of the Department of the Interior, and the Commissioner of Labor was made its chief officer. Three years later, by act of Congress approved June 13, 1888 (25 Stat., 182), the Bureau of Labor and its duties were transferred to the Department of Labor with independent functions, the title of its chief officer remaining unchanged. The duties of the Bureau of Labor are to acquire and diffuse among the people of the United States useful information on subjects connected with labor, in the most general and comprehensive sense of the word. Under the act of 1888 the Bureau of Labor publishes an annual report, and special reports from time to time, upon subjects connected with labor, or as required by the President or by either House of Congress. By act of Congress of March 2, 1895 (28 Stat., 805), the Commissioner of Labor is authorized to publish a bulletin containing facts deemed of value to labor and the industrial interests of the country. This bulletin is issued bimonthly. By the act of Congress of April 30, 1900 (31 Stat., 155), the Commissioner of Labor is required to collect and publish annually statistical details relating to all departments of labor in the Territory of Hawaii. The Government is represented in the International Association for Labour Legislation through the agency of the Bureau of Labor, and the subvention therefor is provided in its appropriation. By act of Congress of February 14, 1903, "An act to establish the Department of Commerce and Labor," the Department of Labor and all that pertains to the same was placed under the jurisdiction and made a part of the Department of Commerce and Labor from and after July 1, 1903, on which date the name Bureau of Labor was adopted by order of the Secretary. Carroll D. Wright has been Commissioner of Labor since the organization of the work in 1885. 60 LAW PERTAINING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR [As modified by act of February 14, 1903.] * * * The Bureau of Labor and all that pertains to the same, be, and the same hereby are placed under the jurisdiction and made a part of the Department of Commerce and Labor. scope. June 13, 1888. (Stat., 182.) See. 1. There shall be at the seat of Government a Bureau of Establishment and general Labor, the general design and duties of which shall be to acquire and diffuse among the people of the United States useful information on subjects connected with labor, in the most general and comprehensive sense of that word, and especially upon its relation to capital, the hours of labor, the earnings of laboring men and women, and the means of promoting their material, social, intellectual, and moral prosperity. The Bureau of Labor shall be under the charge of a Commissioner of Labor, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; he shall hold his office for four years, unless sooner removed, and shall receive a salary of five thousand dollars per annum. Commissioner. Sec. 3. Personnel. (32 Stat., 904.) There shall be in the Bureau of Labor, to be appointed by the Commissioner of Labor: One chief clerk, at a salary of two thousand five hundred dollars per annum; disburs- 25, 19030 ing clerk, two thousand dollars; four statistical experts, at two thousand dollars each; four clerks of class four; five clerks of class three; six clerks of class two; twelve clerks of class one; ten clerks, at one thousand dollars each; two copyists; one messenger; one assistant messenger; three watchmen; four laborers; three charwomen; two special agents, at one thousand eight hundred dollars each; six special agents, at one thousand six hundred dollars each; ten special agents, at one thousand four hundred dollars each; four special agents, at one thousand two hundred dollars each; and (there shall be) an allowance to special agents for traveling expenses not to exceed three dollars per day while actually employed in the field and outside of the District of Columbia, exclusive of actual transportation including sleeping-car fares; and such temporary experts, assistants, and other employees as Congress may from time to time provide, with compensation corresponding to that of similar officers and employees in other departments of the Government. Acting Commissioner. During the necessary absence of the Commissioner, or when the office shall become vacant, the chief clerk shall see. 4. perform the duties of Commissioner. Commissioner in charge of property and expenses. The Commissioner of Labor shall have charge in the building or premises occupied by or appropriated to the Bureau of Labor, of the library, furniture, fixtures, Sec. 6. records, and other property pertaining to it, or hereafter acquired for use in its business, and he shall be allowed to Duties of the Commissioner. Sec. 7. ble articles. currency laws, effect of. expend for periodicals and the purposes of the library, and for the rental of appropriate quarters for the accommodation of the Bureau of Labor within the District of Columbia, and for all other incidental expenses, such sums as Congress may provide from time to time. The Commissioner of Labor, in accordance with the general design and duties referred to in section one of this act, is specially charged to ascertain, at as early a date as possible, and whenever industrial changes shall Cost of dutia- make it essential, the cost of producing articles at the time dutiable in the United States, in leading countries where such articles are produced, by fully-specified units of production, and under a classification showing the different elements of cost, or approximate cost, of such articles of production, including the wages paid in such industries per day, week, month, or year, or by the piece; and hours employed per day; and the profits of the manufacturers and producers of such articles; and the comCustoms and parative cost of living, and the kind of living. It shall be the duty of the Commissioner also to ascertain and report as to the effect of the customs laws, and the effect thereon of the state of the currency, in the United States, on the agricultural industry, especially as to its effect on mortgage indebtedness of farmers; and what articles are controlled by trusts, or other combinations of capital, business operations, or labor and what effect said trusts, or other combinations of capital, business operations, or labor have on production and prices. He shall also establish a system of reports by which, at intervals of not less than two years, he can report the general condition, so far as production is concerned, of the leadLabor contro- ing industries of the country. The Commissioner of Labor is also specially charged to investigate the causes of, and facts relating to, all controversies and disputes between employers and employees as they may oecur, and which may tend to interfere with the welfare of the people of the different States, and report thereon Foreign in- to Congress. The Commissioner of Labor shall also obtain such information upon the various subjects committed to him as he may deem desirable from different foreign nations, and what, if any, convict made goods are imported into this country, and if so from whence. Reports. versies. formation. Reports. The Commissioner of Labor shall annually make a report in writing to the President and Congress, of the information collected and collated by him, and containing such recommendations as he may deem calculated to promote the efficiency of the Bureau. He is also authorized to make special reports on particular subjects whenever required to do so by the President or either House of Congress, or when he shall think the subject in his charge requires it. He shall, on or before the fifteenth day of December in each year, make a report in detail to Congress of all moneys expended under his direction during the preceding fiscal year. |