Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-01

nishes DISPATCH representative copies of
the sections of the law he expects to enforce
within few weeks.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM To THE DIsPATcH.l
PHILADELPHIA, December 31.-Will-
lam H. Martin, Inspector of Factories for
the State, was visited at his home In Ches-
ter, Delaware county, to-day and inter-
viewed in reference to publication in THE
DISPATCH on the 29th instant, showing how
little children have been and are employed
in factories in violation of law, an abuse
which Mr.. Martins Office was created to
remedy. In answer to questions Mr.. Mar
tin said:
L was appointed by Governor Beaver Factory
Inspector on the lst of last November. The
Office, being new one in this State, required
some experience For this purpose have WIS.,
tied since that time New York, Massachusetts,
and Connecticut, in order to become familiar
with the system of factory inspection IN opera
ton in those States, After my return estab-
lished my Office in Harris burg, which will be
the headquarters of the Factory Inspector and
bis deputies. In the first week of December
selected my first deputy, who is at present act
ing as clerk in the main Office at the capital.
During the past few weeks have been busily
engaged in getting out the necessary blanks,
the different factories, manufacturers and
mercantile houses throughout the State.
THE FIRST STEPS.
Before taking any action the law required
that we should first notify and place before the
heads of the different firms the act of last May
which regulates the employment and provides
for the safety of women and children in mer-
camille industries and manufacturing estab-
lishments, The matter is now through the
hands of the printers, and we will begin to mail
the documents and notices right away. Dur
| ing the coming ten days / will appoint my
other five deputies One-half of these shall be
females. They all shall be known as Deputy
ties shall be the same as the powers of the
Factory Inspector, subject, however, to his
supervision. The male deputies will visit all
factories and manufacturing and mercantile
houses wherever men and boys are employed
The duties of the female inspectors shall be to
visit and inspect all similar establishments
State will be divided into three districts, and
male and female deputy appointed to each.
The Inspector, of course, shall have the power
to remove deputy at any time.
In the New England States which have Wis
ited the law is strictly enforced, especially in
New York and Massachusetts. The latter
State has twenty factory inspectors, and the
manufacturers and heads Of the different firms
are well satisfied. In many of the New Eng
land States they have also a compulsory edu-
cation law, which we have not in Pennsylvania
MANY INSTANCES.
Do you think there are many instances
where children are employed under age in this
Slater
Yes there are hundreds of factories where
thousands of children are employed under age
and in places dangerous sand prejudicial to
health and morality. The blanks which am
now forwarding require the name of the firm,
location, number employed, age Of each, name
of parents or guardians. 1t shall also be the
duty of the owner or superintendent Of each
firm to report to the inspector of factories all
fatal accidents or serious injury done to any
person employed within forty-eight hours, stat
ing as fully as possible the cause of such in
jury. With the blanks are inclosed the fol-
lowing notice:
OFFICE OF FACTORY INSPECTOR,
HARRISBURG, PA, January !, 1890.
late the employment and provide for the safety Of
women and children in mercantile Industries and
manufacturing establishments and to provide for
the appointment Of inspectors to enforce the same
and other acts providing g for the safety or regu;
the 9th day Of May A. s. 5 well as SueS
blank forms will enable you to comply with
additional copies Of the act blanks they viii be
ment' Very respectfully FNstd4v W H MAR9
Do you believe that the act of last May will
be carried out?
ARTICLES TO BE ENFORCED.
Yes, within few weeks the following articles
will be strictly enforced:
Section Pho child under II years of age shall
be employed in any factory, manufacturing or
mercantile establishment within this State 1t
children to keep a register in which shalt be re-
corded the name, birthplace, age and place of
under the age Of l6 years. And it shall be GnlaW-
full for any factory, manufacturing or mercantile
the age Of Is years without there is first provided
and placed on file an affidavit, made bv the parent
ardfo latin fha dafa
birth Of said chiiu. If said child have no parent
or guardian. then such affidavit shall be made BY
the employer, and which salu register and am
davit shall be produced for inspection demand
by the inspector OF any OF the deputies appointed
Section 8-Every person. firm or corporation
employing women or children, either in any
factory, manufacturing or mercantile establish
ment shall post and keep posted in a conspicuous
printed notice stating the number Of hours per
day for each day of the week required of such per-
sons, and in every room where children under I6
years of age are employed, list Of their names,
with their age.
WHAT A FACTORY IS.
Section 4-No person. firm corporation en-
ploying less than ten persons who are women or
children shall be deemed a factory manufacture
ing or mercantile establishment within the mean
ing of this act.
Section tit shall be the duty Of the owner.
agent or lessee of any such factory. manufactur-
ing or mercantile establishment where hoisting
shafts well-holes are used to cause the same to
If in the opinion of the Inspector it is necessary
to protect the life or limbs of those employed in
such establishments. 1t shall be the duty of the
owners, agent or lessee to provide or cause to be
provided such proper trap automatic doors so
substantial surface when closed. and SO con- .
structed as to open and close by action of the ee-
yator in Its passage, either ascending or descend
Section SIT shall also be the duty of the owner
OF such factory, mercantile industry or manufac-
turing establishment or his agent superintend-
ent other person in charge of the saine TO fur
piled, in the discretion Of the Inspector wbePe
dangerous machinery is in use, automatic
purpose of throwing on or off belts on pulleys
And no minor under 16 years of age shall be al
gearing and betting shall be provided with proper
safeguard.
for females employed in factories, etc.
TIME FOR DINNER.
Section I-Not less than IS minutes shall be Al
lowed for the MONDAY meal in any manufacturing
establishments in this State.
Section l2-That if the Inspector of Factories
finds that the heating, lighting, ventilation or
sanitary arrangement Of any shop or factory is
such as to be injurious to the health of persons
employed therein, or that the means of egress in
accordance with all the requirements of law or
that the I'd peItiEE snafti1g FL gearing elevators
located so as 10 be dangerous to employ es, and
not sufficiently guarded, or that the watts, pans or
structures, nlled with molten metal or hot
liquid are not surrounded with proper safe
guard for preventing accident or injury
to those employed at or near them he
shall notify the proprietor of such factory or
workshop to make the alterations or additions
necessary. within so days, and If such alterations
or additions are not MADE within so DAYS from the
date of such notice, or within such time as said
alterations can be made with proper diligence
upon the part Of said proprIetors said propretors
or agents shall be deemed guilty of violating the
provisions of this act
Section 17-Any person who violates any of the
provSlGd1sm 81 of THIS act or who suffers Or permits
its provisions. shall be deemed guilty of mis-
demeanor, and on conviction shall be punished
by hne Of not more than $500,
Miss Cusack in McKeesporI.
Miss Cusack, the "Nun Of Kenmare,"
will speak in Blue Ribbon Hall, McKees-
port, tomorrow evening. There are ex-