Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1874-02-14

Frederick City, MI, February 7, 1877
CANNING ESTABLISHMENTS.

TTeueIICh Clly 4h L., coi "''' ', ~
CANNING ESTABLISHMENTS.
The people Of our city universally
condemn the bill that has been re-
Gently introduced in the Legislature,
now in session at Annapolis, by Mr.
Gill, entitled "An act to regulate la
Dor in es Establishments for packing
fruits, oysters and vegetables, and
which seems to be an insidious blow
aimed at this important branch OF
ind ustry. Great disapWobation is
expressed here, especially among the
employees of flr. Lewis MeMurrays
extensive canning establishment, at
this attempt to suppress these factories
under the guise Of philanthropy. If
this bill should become law, Mr..
McMurray declares that he will be
compelled to close his establishments
here and elsewhere in this state, which
he has erected at great cost, and re-
move them to Virginia or some other
State, where the laws encourage
domestic manufacturers to come into
their State, instead Of driving them
away. And we infer that similar
establishments throughout our State
would be compelled to leave, and y
large amount Of capital would thereby
be driven from the State, and large
numbers of persons be thrown out Of
employment and deprived Of the
means Of support.
During the busy season in the
Summer time, lasting about three
months, Mr.. McMurray gives employ
ment to from 500 to 600 persons ut
his factory in this city, and disburses
about 5,OUUper month to his euS-
ployes. Besides this, he annually
cutivates in sugar corn, &C, a large
area Of land near the city, which
furnishes employment to many more.
At present he pays out about $500
per week to can makers, &c, who
are employed during the entire year.
His establishment occupies about !.
square of ground; and comprises all
the adiuncts of the business, W., box
factory, can manuiactory, hasklng
apartment, packing and process rooms.
storage rooms Tor Cans, boxes and
packed goods, besides engine rooms,
stabllng, &c, and tvr him and others
who have made large Investments in
their business to be compelled to quit
and emiglate would subject them to
great loss and Inconvenience and de-
priye us Of !. valuable industry.
The bill provides that thereafter
no minor engaged in any establish
ment for packing frnits, oysters or
vegetables, shall be- holden Or re9uir-
ed to work more than ten hours in
any day, or sixty hours in any week;
and that hel eafter no lnlnor shall be
admitted a, a worker or lahorrr in
any establishment for packing fruits,
oysters or vegetables within 'he State
If any person or corporation, or the
agent of any person or corporation,
shall employ any minor IN violation
of the provisions Of this >r,:tnA', he, 1t
or they shall be punished by y limo
not exceeding one hundred dollars.
Now many Of the enrpiove, about
these establishments are bows who
spend their Summer vacation in
useful employment where they
would 9th erwise be lilo or in mischief;
besides The hririnaSs Of the season
requires great activity to- save tho
crop, and extra work is "ian neces-
sary, but tn. employees are Yar' accor-
ding to The time antI alnosn, Of work
done. Minors are not olnpelle'l to
DO extra work, but the provisions OF
this section OF the bill might s',b beet
EMPLOYERS - endless lawsuits, and it
they are prohibited from employing
any minor Tor more than ten houro ia
any day, they would be compelled! to
stop the majority Of their employees at
noon, so greatly would it interiors
With their business. Again, the
second section of the bill directs that
apartments shall be provided
for female employees, under penalty
of five hundred dollars. So FIR a.;
the observation Of Your correspondent
goes, suitable provision Is made for
the separation Of the sexes in s'loh
as far rs is practicable
and consistent with the proper con-
duet of the business. aud We have
never yet heard of any evil resulting
from their working in the same apart
ment. In fact, this section would
exclude all women from
these factorieS--agea and yonn.
women alike-who would otherwise
be unable to earn "a livelihood, tor in
the packing and process room the
work has to be done 50 expe'lltlonsI Y
and is of such varied character
that it requires men and boys to do
much of the labor while some of it's
quite light, and affords EASY and
pleasant employment for women.
Every just supervision AMI great
vigilance and discretion are used for
the security and protection of the
female employees, and we have yet to
hear of solitary instance where their
has subjected them to
insult or injury,
Such, at least, is the character of
Mr.. McMurry $ factory IN this city,
and we do not believe that any minor
there during the canning