1916. The Grain Standards Act of 1916 mandated the grading and inspection of grains under federal license. From 1918 to 1931 emergency seed loans were provided through the Secretary of Agriculture by Congress. These loans were made “to assist farmers in designated areas that had suffered unusual hardships, such as droughts and floods, and could not obtain credit elsewhere.” Labor A senatorial investigation into industrial dispute in the West Virginia coal fields resulted in gains such as the provision of check weighmen, an 8-hour day, and the right of organization guaranteed. In 1914, an 8-hour provision was approved “for employees under the Alaskan coal act.” The Locomotive boiler inspection act was extended to cover locomotive engines and tenders (1915). Leave of absence with pay to employees of government printing office employees was increased from 26 to 30 days per year (1915). In 1915, licensed officers, including pilots, mates and masters, were guaranteed the right to quit and protected “when reporting defects of their vessels to government inspectors.” The Bureau of Mines Act was extended and strengthened, with the provision of 7 new safety stations and 10 new experiment stations (1915). Steadier work was assured to employees of Government naval yards. The wages of the metal-trade mechanics employed by the Government were increased. An investigation of industrial disputes in the Colorado gold fields and Michigan copper region exposed intolerable labor conditions. Piecework in the Post Officer Department, Washington, D.C. was prohibited. More adequate appropriations were made to the Department of Labor during Wilson's first term to carry on its work. A reduction in wages and installation and collection of rents for employees on the Panama Canal Zone were prevented. Taylor system, stop-watch and speeding up methods were prohibited in United States torpedo stations, gun factories, navy yards, and arsenals (1914). The Federal 8-hour law, which was applicable to contractors doing work for the US Government, was greatly strengthened, “particularly in reference to the basic wage for an eight - hour standard day , and minimum overtime rates for employees of such government contractors.” In regards to unemployment, Wilson raised his administration’s record in tackling this problem during his first term, stating during a Jackson Day speech at Indianapolis in January 1915 "that he regarded the efforts of the department of Labor to deal with the problem as one of the greatest accomplishments of his administration.” The growth and increase in activities