Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-29
CHILDREN IN MILLS.
Complaints to Agent O'Brien That the
Factory Law is a Nullity.
GENERAL DISREGARD OF THE ACT.
Inquiry as to What Has Happened to Gov
Beavers Inspector.
he is RBMORED TOB IENEW ENGLAND

Complaint was made at the once OF the
Humane Society yesterday that manufac-
turing establishments the Northside was
employing large number of boys and girls
under the age of II years, that their hours Of
work recently had been from IL to 1S hours
day, and that four of them had been in
jured during the last two months Other
complaints of similar sort have been made
from time to time, and the Humane. Society
has been in quandary what to do in the
matter.
Under an act passed by the Legislature
last May, it is the duty Of a factory inspec-
tor to prosecute persons guilty of such
abuse Of children. The act was signed by
Governor Beaver on May 20, 1889, II was
made the duty Of the Governor toappoint q
chief factory inspector Immediately after
the passage Of the act. Although it appears
that such an inspector has been appointed,
the appointment has not been made known
to persons in this city most interested in his
work. The act, which is a thorough one,
seems to depend entirely upon the inspec-
tor. That official, it appears, has not been
heard of nor seen in this city, and has done
nothing here to enforce the law. Persons
Interested in the protection of children find
serious fault with the. gentleman for his
neglect.
CHILD LABOR UNLAWFUL.
The act of 1887 made it unlawful for man
ufacturing or mercantile establishments TO
employ children under the age of II, and
authorized any person to make complaint
The act of 1889 repeals the preceding act. 1t
again makes it unlawful to employ children
under the age of H. or to employDchildren
between the ages Of II and Is longer than go
hours in a week. Children under 16 are to
be employed only upon the making Of an
affidavit as to their age by parents OF guar
dians. The hours of work required ofsuch
children must be posted in every room
where they are engaged at labor, The vio-
lstidn of the act is made misdemeanor, and
the penalty a fine of not more than $500.
The factory inspector provided for by the
law is allowed a salary of 3, 500 and ex-
penses not to exceed 81, 500 year. It is
made his duty to post copies of the law in
factories, mills and stores, to visit such
establishments, to investigate and prosecute
all violations of the law. tits this last pro-
vision which causes doubt in the mind of
Agent Samuel O'Brien as to his authority
to act. =t
Agent O'Brien said yesterday afternoon
81 think you have an old woman in the
Governors chair. 1t is very strange thing
that he has not appointed the inspector.
At least, have never heard OF an appoint
ment. Perhaps be. doesn't want to see the
law enforced? We are getting quite a
number of complaints of violations of this
law. 1 should say that no attention is be-
ing paid to the law at all, and there won't
be, suppose, until the inspector is ap-
pointed. In some factories there are chill
dren employed not over 8 years old, and
kept at work long hours. 1 would like to
get at these people, if l could.
Perhaps could prosecute them for cruelty.
In such a case, of course, / would have to
show by doctors that the work was injur-
ious to the health. I don't suppose it
would be hard to do thai" !"
CONSULTING THE LAW.
Agent o'Brien went yesterday afternoon
to the Office of Mr.. Frank W. Smith, the
attorney for the Humane Society, laid the
facts before him, and asked his opinion of
the law and the Authority of the Humane
Agent under it. Mr.. Smith said: "As the
agent of the Humane Society you have no
power to act under that law. YouihaEe no
authority to enter any mill or factory to
investigate. / am of the opinion, however,
that you can make complaint as private
individual. You might get beaten at it.
The defendants might set up the section of
the act which says that the inspector shall
prosecute all violations, and might beat
you on that"
Agent O'Brien said that he would investi-
gate the complaint made yesterday. He
has the names Of several men formerly en-
ployed in the mill in question, and win call
on them for the facts in their possession. It
is possible that, if he finds the facts to be as
represented, he may prosecute either the
company or the parents of the children.
Mr.. 1. N. Ross, Master Workman OF Dis
trict Assembly No. 8, Z. Of L., was asked
if he knew whether the Governor had not ap-
pointed an inspector. He said that, al
though he had been watching the matter
little, he had not heard whether the ap-
pointment had been made or not
A telegram from Harrisburg stated that
Governor Beaver expressed his satisfaction
az the manner in which William b. Mar
tin, the Factory Inspector appointed by
him, is performing his duties. He says he
appointed Mr.. Martin inspector under the
act passed at the last session of the LegisIa
the pay ment Of the inspector and his depu-
ties, although their salaries are fixed, they
will have to take chances on obtaining com
pensation for their services. The Governor
saws Mr.. Martin has visited New York,
Massachusetts and Connecticut for the pur-
pose of familiarizing himself with the sys-
tenn Of inspection in operation in those
States