Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-12
Miss Mary A. O'Reilly and W. q.
Baker Review Their Factory In
spections of the Past Week.
FIVE FIRE ESCAPES ORDERED.
Many Other Necessary Improvements Rec
commended Promised by the
Manufacturers.
ANALGAMATED ASSOCIATION SCORED
General Drift Of Industrial Matters in and Around
Pittsburg.

Deputy Factory Inspector Miss Mary A.
fO'Reillv. VINO came here from Philadelphia
for the purpose of investigating the condi-
ton of the women and children working in
factories, completed the first week of her
labor Yesterday. Her work was principally
in Allegheny yesterday, although one large
factory on this side of the river, where
nearly 100 girls are employed, was also in
specIed. The following is Miss O'Reilly's
review, as furnished last night
During the past week 1 have visited
many workshops where women and chill
dren are employed in making cigars, candy,
washing and packing glass, packing and
labelling vegetables, such as pickles, to-
matOes, etc, pantalOoI and cloak making,
also the manufacture of corks and floor
tiles So far as 1 have visited things gen.
enerally are in a fair condition, but there is
still great room for improvement, the diff
Guilty thus far encountered is this: Manu-
facturers are CARRYING on business in buildings
that were never intended for manufactur
ing purposes. They evidently started in
with a limited business and limited space.
As time passed business increased but space
has not, and consequently we find in many
places a rather cramped condition of affairs.
AN ABSENCE OF LAvAToRIEs.
'This will apply specially to the location
of dress rooms and lavatories, the space al
lotted being very small and the ventilation
poor. The intention, however, seems to be
in these cases at an early date, to i'm
prove on the present quarters or build as
-a1l dol
factories This speaks well for the pros
peritv Of ycur city, and let us hope that
conditions viii warrant them keeping their
word. All suggestions made are most
kindly received, and they are numerous,
and feel much encouraged TO continue my
labor in this field
1T is with much pleasure that note the
aiherance to section , Of the factory act,
which reads as follows:
section 2-No child under 70 years of age
shau be employed in any factory, manufact-
urin~ or mercantile establishment within
this State. 1t shall be the duty of every
person so employing children to keep
register, in which shall be recorded the
name. birthplace age and place OF
residence OF every person so employed
by him under the age of l6 years. And it
shall be unlawful for any factory,
manufacturing or mercantile establish
ment to hire or employ any child under the
age of l6 years, without there is first pro-
vided and placed on file an affidavit made by
the parent or guardian. stating the age, date
auI place of birth of said child. If said
Cllld have no parents or guardian then such
affidavit shall be made by the child, which
affidavit shall be kept on file by the en-
v.uver and which i'd register and affidavit
si.al be produced for inspection on demand
lr the inspector or any of the deputies ap-
pointed under this act
4 have found that Mr. Baker, the studious
deputy cf this district, has been looking
l4- rbis cf,aaial
As he docs the need of education among the
youths Of to-day so that they may be better
fitted to take their place among the intelli-
gent men and women Of the coming genera
non.
Prospects are that will be detained for
a longer period than | at first anticipated,
as there is Vet the greatest portion of the
work TO be done, and | Will remain until
visit has been made to all
places of business in question,
ana I expect to complete my task within
two weeks. ! am opposed to the way some
Of The papers are trying 10 make it appear
thar We have nothing but praise for the
factory owners here.
MADE THEM ERECT FIRE ESCAPES.
eve are here to enforce the law, and
wherever we discover violations the law
is enforced We have ordered three
fire escapes TOR buildings that were sadly in
need Of them. and they will be put up. We
have also ordered numerous other necessary
improvements. Deputy Inspector Baker
adds the following TO what Miss 0'Reilly
had to say:
THE work done by Miss O'Reilly and
myself has been principally among box fac
tories. confectioneries. cigar factories, tile
works, clothing factories and laundries. At
these various establishments has been
4,71-Il a i har of Q0l 40
women and about 800 children, between
the ages Of 10 and 16 wears. Several orders
Tor improvements Of sanitary conditionsand
guarding Of elevators and machinery have
been issued. Numerous other recommenda-
1ions have been made which, if carried out,
especially in regard TO cleanliness, will
greatly improve the general appearance of
the factories.
''Very little work has as vet been done
among glass factories since this first has
commenced But ali will be inspected as
soon as possible Miss O'Reillv has had
great experience in this kind of work,
and every detail of this work is attended to
bv her in a thoroughly practical manner,
and she is as ready to approve of good con-
dirions when she finds them as she is to dis
approve and correct bad ones. Her
visit here in connection with
this work is of great value
TO the Department and to me as the inspec-
tor OF this distric-. The manufacturers of
Eittsburg seem very ready to do anything
In the way Of compliance with the law and
10 correct, upon our recommendations. any
feature. sanitary or otherwise, that is
brought 10 their notice. The work is
most exhaustive one and time will be re-
oui'cd to bring about the full and complete
result expected and required by our depart
ment."