

BRITTANY : AI.Iv HANDS MUST WORK NOW 



The simple life in all its simplicity is lived in Brittan)^. When there is nothing else to 

 do, the distafif and the spinning-wheel ofifer opportunity of useful occupation. The people 

 live as our people lived a hundred years ago. 



existed in 1905, and, though improve- 

 ments had taken place, only half of the 

 States had made any provision to remedy 

 the evil. 



01.D age; pensions 



France passed an old-age pension as 

 early as 1886. Most important to the 

 workman is the question of being com- 

 pensated for injuries or death through 

 labor. France enacted a compensation 

 law in 1898, and it was not until 1908 

 that the United States enacted provisions 

 which inadequately cover only one-quarter 

 of its employees. Though deaths and 

 disabilities ran yearly into the tens of 

 thousands, no State protected its work- 

 men until 191 1, and despite unceasing 

 agitation for justice by the workmen, only 



22 States have such compensation laws — 

 10 passed within the past 12 months. 



Relief from overwork is afforded by 

 the Sunday law, thought by some to be 

 the most potent reform for years. The 

 Revolutionists of 1792 abolished Sunday 

 and unsuccessfully tried one day of rest 

 in ten. The law of 1906, better advised, 

 "accords to every French laborer the in- 

 alienable right to one day's rest each 

 week, and that to be on Sunday when 

 not impracticable." 



Persistent efforts have been made to 

 avoid labor disputes, so frequent and bit- 

 ter in late years. A most beneficial insti- 

 tution is the Conseils de Prud'hommes 

 (Conciliation Courts), which adjust trade 

 disputes between workmen and masters. 



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