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or falsity of this contention, this investigation has been made, with what result the pages following will disclose.

Furthermore, it can be stated without the possibility of successful contradiction, that the contention made has been proven, for were all property to be assessed at its full value, (large and small holdings alike,) as the law requires, the home of the toiler would be taxed on an equality with that of his more wealthy neighbor, and, while the amount of his assessment might be slightly increased, the estate of his more fortunate townsman would be largely added to, thereby reducing the rate per cent. of tax each would pay. Obviously, the small property owner would be greatly benefitted by assessments made at full value, and the amount paid by him in taxes much lessened.

It is evident that the most prominent evils in the system of taxation, as it exists at the present time, are to be found in the habitual undervaluation of property, and the failure to assess at ali a large proportion of all personalty. Among them also may be enumerated the selection of unfit persons for Assessors, who often exhibit gross ignorance of the laws governing them, the fixing by them of arbitrary standards, the departure from such standards when there are friends to favor, or obnoxious business or classes to punish, and the encouragement of a sentiment among the people that in matters of taxation there are no such things as public obligations or public morals.

The contention made by some that to assess property in accordance with law would beget extravagance in expenditures. by municipal officials, possesses all the elements of disingenuousness, and should not be considered as having a bearing. The integrity and honesty of public officials thus assailed, is sufficient denial of the truth or justice of such a contention, and its absurdity made evident. Clearly, a low rate of taxation, as a result of a proper, legal and equitable assessment of property, would scarcely lead to improper or extravagant use of the revenue thus raised, and in such an event, should it occur, would be of but short duration.

It has not been the purpose of the Bureau in making this investigation, to assume any prerogative other than that to which it is entitled, the only object being to be of use to the people of the State as a whole. Without distinction of any portion of the community at large, it has proceeded upon the theory that the facts brought out were necessary for the formulation of some remedial plan of legislation looking to a revision and alteration

of the scheme of assessment for taxes as now made. Much good has been accomplished by the Bureau in the past in thus collecting, tabulating and distributing facts, concerning economic subjects and conditions and its best work, and thought will continue to be directed to the same end.

The text accompanying the different tables sufficiently explain the method used in securing the information obtained, and it need only be stated that no effort has been spared in making the results clear and in exact conformity to the conditions as found to exist. Difficulties and obstructions were found in abundance by the agents engaged in gathering the statistical material, but they went steadily forward in the performance of the work committed to them by the Bureau, having abiding faith that satisfactory and beneficial results would be attained.

OTHER WORK OF THE BUREAU.

The work of the Bureau has by no means been confined to one line of investigation, and it has with zeal and energy made minute and thorough examination into the prominent evils attending the unsanitary conditions of the Cellar Bakeries which abound in the larger cities of the State, and to the cities only, was the investigation directed, and all the facts collected and the salient points and results clearly brought out in the text analysis ( Pages 261-9), yet it may be well, in this introduction, to still further crystallize the general results of the investigation, especially in order to show just what is to be learned from it. First, then, the results of the investigation show, that the laws of health as applied to the production of bread and other cereal foods, in many bake shops are not observed; second, that the use of the product of these cellar bakeries must inevitably be conducive of disease, and third, it brings out clearly and forcibly the necessity for close inspection of all cereal food products, by State or municipal authorities.

The State has at some expense provided for the inspection of domestic animals by an official board, who have shown commendable zeal in eradicating disease, preventing the use as food of any animal or its product, when, by scientific tests, it is found in any degree contaminated. It would most certainly seem that the human family should be still further protected and guarded against the certain and inevitable sickness and death which surely accompanies the continued use of food containing germs. of disease. It has also provided for the prevention of the manu

facture or sale of adulterated foods, by means of the establishment of a Dairy Commission, which has been productive of much good, in causing to disappear from the markets of Connecticut the impure and unhealthful imitations of butter, adulterated molasses, vinegar and other food products, and, in addition to this, the State, through its department of Factory Inspector, has had watchful care over the thousands of mechanics and laborers within its borders, and seen to it that all due diligence is used by employers and managers, that the lives, limbs and health of its citizens shall not be endangered by the use of unfit or dangerous machinery, and compelling a proper observance of the laws of health in the matter of sanitation and ventilation.

Thus it would seem, that the State should extend its beneficence still further and by enactment of law enable the people, who by force of association and circumstances, are most liable to use as food the unfit, health-destroying and death-dealing products of the underground cellar bake shops, which now disgrace some localities of the cities of the State. The proposed act which will be found printed on Page 268 of this report, and which is to be introduced at the incoming session of the General Assembly, is the result of the best efforts and thought of those interested in the formulation of a law which shall meet the requirements of existing conditions. Similar laws are now in force in many of the States and have gone far in destroying the traffic in unclean and unhealthful food products.

ALIEN LABORERS.

The law concerning alien laborers, enacted by the General Assembly of 1895, has hardly accomplished the object for which it was intended, but has in degree only, effected its purpose. It may be said with truth, that the evils of the padrone system as they existed previous to the enactment of the Statute empowering the commissioner of the bureau of labor statistics to appoint special agents, whose duty was to be to inform foreign laborers. ignorant of the English language, as to their right of contract under the law of the State, have in a measure been remedied, yet complaints are still made of advantages taken of Italian and other alien laborers by unscrupulous employers, who, while escaping legal punishment by means of technicalities, are deserving of condemnation, and the law should be so amended as to render a conviction under it more easy of accomplishment. To withhold

wages from ignorant employes by overcharges for supplies furnished is an offense against moral if not human law, and should not be permitted.

PROTECTION OF MOTORMEN.

Laws for the protection of motormen from the inclemency of the weather in certain seasons of the year are greatly needed in Connecticut. The States of Minnesota and Michigan have taken the initiative in the direction of legislation in the interests of employes of street railways, which example might well be followed in this State, that citizens compelled to expose themselves to the dangers incident to their employment, should have proper protection from climatic influences during the Winter season. The enforced use of vestibuled cars by street railroad corporations during the colder months of the year would go far. toward the saving of health and prevention of serious diseases, and the attention of legislators should be brought to this most important subject.

STATISTICS OF MANUFACTURES.

The statistics of manufactures as compiled in this report, while giving the returns from a lesser number of establishments than were reported in the eleventh Annual Report of the Bureau, yet the information secured, covers a much larger field of inquiry and has the merit of containing results concerning matters which heretofore had not been made the subject of investigation. The very complete and satisfactory statements made by so large a number of manufacturers, with reference to wages paid, is sufficient evidence that the work of the Bureau is such as to inspire public confidence in the value of its investigations and researches. Moreover, the number of establishments, the statements of which are contained in the tabulated result, by no means represent the full number making reports, many having been eliminated from the calculation, on account of the lack of information in some particular, many neglecting to state amount paid in wages, others ignoring the inquiry as to number employed. It may be said, however, that refusals to comply with the request of the Bureau were the exception rather than the rule, and almost entirely confined to the smaller establishments of which information was sought. The managers in most cases vouchsafing the information that they were unable to make the desired statement. The fact that the Bureau successfully conceals the identity of all

establishments reporting to it, ought, in a measure, influence those who are delinquent in this respect to furnish future data for general compilation.

MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION.

The State Board of Mediation and Arbitration have made no official report. Information secured by the Bureau, however, developes the fact, that they were called to act in an official capacity in but one instance during the year, that being in the matter of a labor difficulty existing between employer and employed at Bridgeport, which difficulty remains in an unsettled condition at the date of the close of this report. The efforts made by the Board to effect a settlement of the trouble by arbitration being unavailing.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

The large amount of labor attending the collection of statistical material for this report, necessitated the gratuitous and valuable assistance of many members of Boards of Assessors, Judges of Probate, Town Clerks and others, who rendered invaluable aid to the agents in their work. The Bureau, therefore, tenders them most sincere thanks for the very courteous treatment it has received at their hands.

MACHINERY AND LABor.

Many writers on the subject of economics contend that the use of labor saving machinery tends to displace and degrade labor; that the use of advanced and perfected mechanical devices increases the amount produced and is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in gains to labor. Arthur T. Hadley, Professor of Political Economy in Yale University, writing on this subject in his recent publication "Economics," says:

"There are three evils which the opponents of private capital charge against machinery, as now managed and operated: "I. That it displaces a large amount of human labor, thus taking income away from employes and giving it to employers.

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That when it does not actually drive human labor out of use, it employs it in circumstances unfavorable to efficiency, health and morals.

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That, under the best conditions, it deprives the workman of independence, making a specialized machine, instead of a broad-minded man.

"The first charge, in its wider shape, is obviously belied by the facts. Machinery has not displaced labor. On the contrary,

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