In 1927 the Legislature coalesced formerly independent enforcement and service agencies responsible for labor-management functions into the Department of Industrial Relations in order to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners of California, improve the working conditions and advance their opportunities for profitable employment (Stats. 1927, ch. 440). Initially, the work of the department was distributed among five divisions whose titles indicated their respective functions: Industrial Accidents and Safety, Housing and Sanitation, State Employment Agencies, Labor Statistics and Law Enforcement, and Industrial Welfare. The Director of Industrial Relations coordinated the activities of each division chief.

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