ABSTRACT

After the several states have prepared the way by giving to the people direct and continuous control over all the branches of government, they are ready to direct their attention more profitably to the problems connected with the prevention and relief of social and economic distress. In addition to passing child-labor laws, mothers' pensions laws, and minimum wage laws, modern society, in its attempt to prevent waste of human resources, is giving a great deal of attention to the problems of factory regulation and inspection. Broadly considered, the factory question, as the prevention of the waste of human resources is concerned, presents two sets of problems: problems of legislation; and problems of inspection. Equally important with safeguarding factory employees against physical injury or death is their protection against preventable diseases. The subjects discussed in this chapter, child labor, mothers' pensions, minimum wage, and factory regulation, emphasizes the need of preventing the waste of human resources in industrial work.