Chap. 410.—An ACT to establish and maintain a free employment nema

B 385]
Approved March 21, 1924.

1. Beit enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That in order
to promote the establishment and maintenance of free employment
offices for men, women and minors, who are legally qualified, seeking
employment, and for employers desiring workers, there is hereby created
in the department of labor, a free employment bureau. It shall be in
charge of the commissioner of labor, who shall appoint an assistant,
whose duties shall be to supervise the work of the said bureau and its
branch offices, under the direction of the commissioner, and who shall
receive an annual salary, to be fixed by the commissioner of labor.
There shall also be appointed in said bureau by the commissioner of
labor, such assistants and other employees as are necessary to carry
out the provisions of this act.

2. It shall be the duty of the commissioner of labor, and he shall
have the power, jurisdiction and authority:

(a) To estabhsh and conduct free employment offices in the State,
where, in the opinion of the commissioner, such action may be deemed
advisable and expedient: to in all proper ways, within the limitations
of this act, bring together employers seeking employees and applicants
for employment seeking employers; to make known the opportunities
for self-employment in the State; to devise and adopt the most efficient
means to avoid unemployment; to co-operate with existing State and
Federal agencies in extending vocational guidance to minors seeking
employment.

(b) To establish and maintain such sections of the employment
service as will best serve the public welfare.

3. Said employment bureau shall make public, through the news-
papers and other media. information as to situations it may have ap-
plicants to fill, and establish relations with employers for the purpose
of supplying demands for labor. Said bureau shall collect, collate, and
publish statistical and other information relating to the work under its
jurisdiction: investigate economical developments and the extent and
cause of unemployment. and remedies therefor, within and without the
State, with the view of preparing for the information of the general
assembly such facts as in its opinion may make further legislation de-
sirable.

4. The commissioner of labor is hereby authorized to enter into
agreement with the governing authorities of any municipality, county.
township. er school carporation in the State for such period of time as
niay be deemed desirable for the purpose of establishing and maintain-
Ing toe al tree employment offices and for the extension of vocational
euidanee to miners. The eemmisstoner is ikewise authorized. with the
advice of the cOverner, to enter inte such co-operative agreement as
may be deemed desirable with the United States employment service.
ersnch burmese! che United States department ot labor as the secretary
thermo! pee et ks * OMA TTOT che, rate. Or other Federal ageneyv as Congress

InAy beryation authorice. Tor the purpose of securing Snancial aid from
tee Urcted States government for the establishment and maintenance
OL TRY CI ON INST SOT ee or the extension of vocational guidance to

Ste Shall te Cawtil fer the governing authorities of anv munici-
RAN SOULS DO Wtsiop er shoe serporation in the State to enter into
CON De Tatiee agtrye ment with the eomimissicner of isbor. and to appro-

Slate Atal eXte td the tacrssaTy money toe permit the use of public
property for the joint establishment and maintenance of such offices as
may be mutually agreed upon and which will further the purposes of
this act.

6. That for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act,
there is hereby appropriated out of the general funds of the State, not
otherwise appropriated, the sum of twenty-five hundred. dollars per
annum. Upon the certificate of the commissioner of labor, the auditor
is hereby directed to audit and the treasurer to pay expenses of said free
employment service, not exceeding the sum of two thousand five hundred
dollars per annum.

7. Provided that the established agency be directed to co-operate
with the local county agricultural farmer agents and farmers’ organiza-
tions in ascertaining needs of labor and distribution among farming
classes.

8. All acts or parts of acts in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.