The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-11
TO PROTECT WORKERS.
Factory Inspectors Order Rules
Posted in Every Workshop.
Active Pursuit of Their Responsible
Duties Have Been Already Begun
by Them.

By the end of this week there will be
posted In every workshop of every factory
In the State a copy OF Chapter 1878 of the
public statutes which is the act providing
Tor the regulation Of employment OF
women and children.
The recently appointed factory inspect
ors, Colonel Elisha III. Rockwell and Mrs.
ranny furdy Palmer have had the act
printed on large placards and mailed,
lO OF them to each of the go textile
manufacturers OF Rhode Island, with
the request that they be posted
according to section 13 of the act:
"a printed copy of this act shall be posted
by the inspectors in each work room of
every factory, manufacturing or mercan-
tile establishment where persons are em-
pioyed who are affected by the provisions
of this act"
This work of notifying both employers
ana employees Is practically the first
done by the. inspectors and is
merely preliminary. Probably by
tion will be commenced and kent
up continuously until all ESTABLISHING nts
In the State where five or more women or
children are employed have been examined
IL Will take at least six months to cover he
mills. The frequency of the visits to any
mlli VIII depend upon the condition of the
place and the manner in which
the proprietors comply with the new laws
relative to female and child labor.
Ihe law on this point leaves u to
the discretion of the inspector. There
Is no stated times for inspection but the
ofhcers shall be empowered to visit and
inspect at all seasonable hours. and
as often as practicable, the factories,
workshops and other establishments in
the State employing wcmen and children,
and shall report to the General Assembly
Oh tnl3 State ct its January
session In each year, including in
said report, the names OF the facto-
res, the number of such hands employed,
and the number OF hours work performed
each week. 1t shall also be the duty of
said inspector to enforce the provisions of
this ct and prosecute all violations of the
same before any court of competent juris-
diction In the State. The said inspectors
shall devote their whole time and atten-
tion TO the duties of their respective
offices. In case of any conflict of author
ity between the said inspectors, either
OF them may apply for instrtsc-
tions to the Governor, whose decision of
the controversy, after hearing the state
ment of each inspector and making such
further investigation OF the circumstances
In their expense account which will be
allowed by the State the inspectors are
limited to 1890 year. The salary OF each
is $500.
In the opinion of the inspectors them
selves the most important feature of the
act is that relative to the children.
The first section of tho law
provides that ell employers shall keep AN
accurate record Of the name, birthplace.
age and place OF residence of every person
employed under the age of 16 years, and
this register shall be produced for inspec-
ton on demand by either of the
inspectors under this act. And
fr ~ hxsr
of age shall be employed under any cir
cumstances whatever. Colonel Rockwell
and Mrs. Palmer intend to see that
this Is very thoroughly complied
with, and when school opens in the fall.
they hope, with the assistance of tho |
truant officers, that all the children will |
be kept out of the factories and in the |
school rooms.
Now that the work is actually to COM |
mence some of the provisions of the act |
are OF general interest Sections 10 and II |
are:
Sec. 10. Any person who is aegrieved by |
any order of said inspectors may appeal there
from To the district court of the judicial dis
Irict In which the building which is the
subject OF the order is situated. bv
Hing his reasons of appeal within seven days
after the date OF the order appealed from. and |
BY giving notice thereof to the inspector
hours after filing said reasons of appeal.
md said court shall proceed To hear the said
appeal at its first session after such notice sba
nave been given, and shall approve, modify
'r revoke said order as IL may deem
light, subject, however, to the right of
ury trial after decision as prescribed in sec
ion of chapter II of the judiciary ACT.
md any such decision OF said court from
which jury trial is not claimed shall be final
md conclusive.
SEC. IL. Any person who knowingly vio |
ates any of the provisions OF this act. or who
knowingly suffers permits any child
n woman To be employed IN
'iolation of its provisions, shall be deemed
utility of n msdemeanor. and on conyiction
hall be punished by fine of not more than
I've hundred dollars.
The headquarters OF the inspectors
which the state has provided are in the
Dom 7i3.