Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/180



the management of Mr. Halford Erickson, the labor bureau of the state of Wisconsin was developed so that it ranked with that of New York and Massachusetts. Sound laws for the protection of life and health were enacted. The child labor law was a great advance in such legislation. It remained however, for the 1911 session of the Wisconsin legislature to enact a code of labor legislation which puts the work of this body ahead of any other in the country. Besides the numerous laws for the protection of life and health and the better conditions for women in factories, there are two laws which are worthy of comment; the first of which is the workmen's compensation act, chapter 50, laws of 1911. The conflict over that act and the previous attempts upon the part of the legislature to modify the laws relating to contributory negligence, co-employment, the assumption of the risk, etc., form an interesting page in the history of Wisconsin. This state has only recently become a manufacturing state but the necessity of new conditions is sure to bring legislation in its trail. No doubt the humane spirit prevalent in the state and the whole enlightened attitude of the courts