New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-21
MR. RIIS ON CHILD LABOR
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SWEATING sYs-
TEN INVESTIGATORS.


HIS VIEWS AS TO THE FACTORY INSPECTION
IAws-INsPECToR WHITE ON THE STAND.
The eighth weekly session Of the Assembly Com
mittee which is investigating the sweating sys-
tenn Of New-York was held yesterday in Fart ii Oh
the Superior Court. Before the inquiry opened the
back part of the courtroom was hIed WIN men
and women from the East Side Many of these
were TO give testimony, and others were attracted
by curiosity Jacob \. Riis, author Of several DOCKS
relating to life of children on the East SIDE was
the first witness in the chair. He said he thought
the Factory Inspection law had done niue sood
in reference TO child labor on the East sac OUT
the Jaw was frequently eveded by the father of the
child giving higher age on the certificate allowing
the child 10 enter a workshop. The factory lnspec-
tor cannot go behind the certificate, ana must az
cept as true the age given. lie said four times 'he
present number of factory inspectors would NOT DE
sufficient 10 look after the many places "h''e N''-
dren are emp.o! cd
Parents do not hesitate TO sign certificate that
a ten-vear-old child IS sixteen years Old so that
such child could get employment" Mr. siis said
How would you determine the true age OF a
chld?'
The way did it was to examine the 'hids
teeth"
But what law would you suggest to get at the
chdrens agcs?
"You would have to examine the birth certificate
How when the child born abroad"
The age is given on the passport
What. IN your experience Is the prevailing ma
t!onality of child labor
Greatly Italian in the shops examined There
were many children under twelve years
Can you give the name OF one OF these SHOPS
Eyes ore was Hlwley & Hoops. Mulberry and
Jersey SITS
is that Henry W. Hoops, the member OF the
AssemblyY'
81 don't know which member of the family /; is
IF you had girl under fourteen years DID, in
which would you prefer her to work, factory or
q s;Ore?'
In a factory"
Dr. Robert H. zaner was the next witness. lie
Is a medical Inspector for the Board of Health
He told of his visit to a family by the name OF
Brown at No. II Rutgers Place, where chld was
sick with scarlet fever
81 found" said the doctor. "the place TO be
sweatshop | found that there connection be-
tween the sick childs room and the workshop
was afraid germs of the disease would be carried
into the workshop and spread among the WORKING
people and the clothing / then ordered the SICK
child isolated but a subsequent visit found
that communication still. went on between Browns
family and the workshop. In similar cases the
present laws are inadequate prevent the germs
OF conagion in the sweaters family from being
communicated to the clothing in the shop
Factory Inspector White recalled. He said he
worked five days week. and about eight hours
day His salary is go year. and he has allow
ances for carfare and uncheons
"Do you speak German? Mr. Mayer asked
mo"
How do you get information when you go into a
sweatshop where they all German-Spe aking peo-
--Gfeset ore of them to act as Interpreter
And you relied on whatever Information they
" !:9se 70 give YOU
How many violations have you found during the
last two weeks?'
When will you see those places asa!n?'
Some time during the next six months or
'How do you know if the violation is corrected"
We send them notice TO correct the Violation.
But how do You know if they comply
They send us word .,..,.o,... ou, ao,,.
know whether they correct the violation or noi?"
NO wonder the sweatshops thrive exclaimed
drxgood store and sixthsye then
took the chair, ana testified about the visits from
ad inspector usually called and, and left ftnsd blank T
for the people 10 nj out as neye
the children employed as to age. They simply left
0 REUBEN siege, Of No % Essex-s, boy next
IN the aHd f. s. % HI W1S 6s
ee sds IS :h Of sns SssR @
came e this e0untry year age Cd n b asTei ns
thirteen years old. He was asked to write sem
tence in English, which he did
the stand He said he was, not familiar With The
as fa ,b SsksS he his sqg m5dy ef h.
thought they were under ass ara rnder fourteen
How do you tell II they are uluel iouitSeh
"Oh. 1 just tell by looking" -, NJ
DO you examine their teeth?" Chairman Rein
hardt asked.
Adolf Rosenwasser father of The former witness.
took the stand.
II heard you say behind me-" said NJ. Mayer
''tha, It was a shame. Now, will you tell us what
Is shame? . - .,.
Us il a shame for me to crOss-examine you?
You have one of the larges, sweatshops on
the East side, haven't YOU
DO you know the Factory laws?"
NO"
DO you make money in your workshops asked
Counsel Mayer. he looked at the large diamond
in the witnesses necktie.
II make my living; nothing more.
You go back and read that copy or the Factory
Jaw posted In your shop. 1t is a shame you don't
know it," said Mr.. Mayer.
Sarah Butterman. OF No 6. Wnlet-st saif she
goes to work at I d. M, and quits at p.
and makes 81 q week. She said she was four
teen years old
Is did you have birthday, SARAH
mo, SIR
"Do you know what birthday is?"
Where you have little party
Henry y. Reich superin tendent OF H. Richter &
Son, neckwear makers, at No. l26 East twenty
seventh-st., the last witness. and his testl-
fnony unimportant.
The committee then adjourned till Monday.
: CHARGE AGAINST LETTER-CA RRIER
James owen, jr. of No. 40 Cherry-st, letter
carrier, yesterday held by United States Com