846 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 



employers had to be persuaded, rather than compelled by law, to 

 make the improvements suggested. 



It was not until after eight months of experience in camp sanita- 

 tion work that the Commission drafted a detailed law to govern labor 

 camp sanitation. This law does not deal in generalities but makes 

 specific regulations for every feature of the camp. 



In order that it might be sure of its ground in the beginning, the 

 Commission decided to take over a camp and make it sanitary, thus 

 putting theories to actual test. This first experiment in camp sani- 

 tation was made at Shingle Springs, Eldorado County, where 129 men 

 were employed by the state on the state highway. The sanitary 

 engineer of the Commission was sent to the camp, where he installed 

 sanitary camp latrines, shower baths, fly-screened cooking and dining 

 tents, model sleeping quarters, garbage incinerators and other modern 

 improvements at a minimum cost. The results were very satisfactory 

 and a set of sanitation rules was drawn up accordingly. These rules 

 and the practical suggestions for carrying them out were incorporated 

 in a small pamphlet of seven pages, which met with the approval of 

 the State Board of Health. 



These pamphlets were distributed among camp operators, and 

 two inspectors, under the direction of a sanitary engineer, were put 

 in the field. Although most of the camps were below the minimum 

 standard, the inspectors found that employers or operators were will- 

 ing to co-operate in the effort to improve the conditions of the men, 

 but they did not know how to go about the work. Consequently, a 

 larger and more comprehensive pamphlet, containing detailed plans 

 and instructions,was prepared for general distribution. 



Believing that much of the abuse arose more through carelessness 

 and ignorance on the part of those operating labor camps than because 

 of any disposition to avoid the law, the whole spirit of the pamphlet 

 was "co-operation and advice," rather than "compulsion." 



During the months of June, July, August, and September, when 

 the largest number of labor camps are in existence, from five to seven 

 inspectors were kept in the field. The inspectors found little, if any, 

 antagonism, some procrastination, and a great deal of good feeling 

 and hearty co-operation. They reported their findings to the office 

 of the Commission on blanks prepared for the purpose, which gave 

 every detail of the camp inspected, including the number and nation- 

 ality of men employed, permanent or transient, skilled or unskilled 

 labor, living conditions, sanitary conditions, toilets, bathing facilities, 



