The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-09
FACTORY INSPECTION.


Now that the factory inspsctors' bill hal
passed both houses Of the 1egislaturs and
has become law, Governor Browns life
is not happy one. AT al hours Of thu
day he is besieged BY persons who ars
anxious to apply for the position of In
offer their recommendation for some
particular candidate, while moro than
one-third Of his daily mail consists OF
letters from those who wish to work to
improve the condition OF the mill oper-
atives and, incidentally, draw the $500
salary. offered bv the State.
ali the la% D Of %C'' asy
have applied for the position of female
inspector, this mum Der ID stiil quite small
although IL Is large enough to enable the
Governor to make excellent selections.
IA majority Of the applicants are we'll
educated and intelligent men. There are
agitators among the number, while the
Democrats have not appeared to request
an appointment, probably being OF the
opinion that II would be useless for them
to put themselves to even such small
amount of trouble.
Among the applicants there are many
who are particularly well fitted for such
positions. Besides being able to I'LL all
the requirements sin the matter OF intel
ligence and honor, they have full ac-
quaintance with mill people and mill life,
having commenced life as operatives In
some manufacturing establishments. A
few are still employed ut the mills, but
some other lines OF work, many being
small tradesmen.
Governor Brown will MAKE the appoint
ment OF the inspector at some time be-
tween the 18th and the last OF June. but
up to the present time few of the appli-
A.. L... L.A II L. L.
msnts OF the position. The law, however,
has been prepared with such care In
reference to the minor details that 1t will
be no easy matter to see that 1t Is en-
forced.
The law gives the inspector almost COM
plete jurisdiction over the mills where
women and girls are employed. 1t pro.
years shall not be employed and that those
under the age Of is years shall not be
permitted to clean the machinery while in
motion. The inspectors will also be
compelled to use their judgment
in regard to the heating, lighting, ventil-
Of the shops and factories, and IL they are
found to be imperfect they can issue the
order to remedy them. They will be
obliged to see that every place where
an accident might occur Is properly
guarded and the only redress for the mill
omclais Is 10 appeal from the decision OF
the inspectors at the district court within
a week from the time Of the reception OF
the order.
A position of this kind is Of so much
importance and might 80 easily be put to
dishonest uses that Governor Brown will
use every effort to obtain good men and
women. The $50 applications are
made careful examination of the papers
he will make his appointments. This
will probably be done soon after the 10th
of next month, a. those who introduced
the measure are anxious to see that 1t Is
placed in operation as soon as possible.
In the meantime, however, the applica-
is to be compelled to GO through the list
for the purpose of selecting as few pames
from SO many that are known to be ex-
cellent has task before him that is any
thing but enviable.