Alabama. Dept. of Labor (1935-1939)

The original Department of Labor was created in 1935. Its original legally authorized duties were, under gubernatorial direction, to administer all laws relating to hours of work, child labor, employer and employee, working conditions, and to promote the voluntary arbitration, medication, and conciliation of disputes between employer and employee. Furthermore, the department was authorized to establish and conduct free public employment offices. The provisions of the original creating act did not apply to any state-owned or operated institutions, nor to laws pertaining to the regulation and inspection of mines, nor to Workmen's Compensation laws and their subsequent enforcement. (Acts 1935, No. 433, Sec. 1-2) Previously the child welfare duties of the dept. were performed by the Child Welfare Dept., State Factory Inspector, State Prison Inspector, and the Inspector of Jails and Almshouses.

The original Department of Labor was headed by a Commissioner of Labor who was appointed and commissioned by the Governor. As was the case with all other gubernatorial appointees, the Commissioner served at the pleasure of the Governor and may have been removed by the Governor with or without cause. The Commissioner's original term of office was four years (unless otherwise removed by the Governor). He was paid a salary of $3600.00 per year in equal monthly installments. (Acts 1935, No. 433, Sec. 3)

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