New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-07
CANNOT ENFORCE THE LAWS,
TWO STATUTES WHICH THE BOARD OF
HEALTH is UNABLE TO PUT
INTO EFFECT
NO FUNDS SUPPLIED TO CARRY OUT ACTS OF
THE LEGIsTA rURE REGARDING THE EN-
PLoYMENT OF MINoRs-MoNEY MAY RE

THE LEGISLATURE REGARDING THE EN-
P1oyMENT OF MINoRs-MoNEY MAY BE
GRANTED AT THE BOARD OF Al,
DERMEN's SPECIAL MEETING
August is passing rapidly away, and after
september the Board of Health must begin
10 enforce TWO new laws regarding the en-
pioyment OF minors. One Of these laws-tha
Manufacturers act-makes II a misdemeanor to
employ child under fourteen years old and
requires all children under sixteen years OLD
who wish TO work. to have certificate from the
Health Department stating that they are phys
lcaily able to perform such work The manu-
1aclurer Is also required to keep a register e
all such children as he may employ with p care
iui record OF such individual. and an affidavit
stating that she or he has attended school for
certain time. The other law, called the Ner-
camille Minor law. IS only an addition and
quaDhcation of the first. 1t specifies certain
sanitary regulations which must be complied
with in all workshops ard stores where chill
dren are employed, and makes II a msdemeanur
10 require any female under twenty-one tr
male under sixteen to work more than sixty
hours week 1t also provides for children
as young as twelve years being employed in the
school vacations
These two acts passed by the State Leg
islature last May. and Il provided that the
Board of Health should have the enforcing Of
them. but no provision was made for the rails
ing of the necessary money The municipal
Board of Estimlt in Brooklyn always meets in
June of each year, and approprates the money
which Is required to the different depart
ments of the city in the following year AS
these laws concerning the employment OF
minors were not passed in June, 1895, when the
appropriations made for 1896, Health
Commissioner Emery had no money which ne
could use in starting this department.
Almost two months ago he madc special
quest to the Common Council for $1,000 for this
purpose. They ignored it, On July 2S a special
meeting called to consider the subject, and
his application was referred to the Health Com
mittee. with instructions to report at another
special meeting, to be held on August II. DIR.
Wycoff said yesterday:
Il do not wish to say anything against the
integrity Of the committee that has this sub
ject in charge and all say is that
have strong hopes that the money will be forth
coming. The Board Of Estimate which met
last June, has appropriated enough money for
the full needs OF this Department In 1877.
that after January 1 we will have no more
trouble with the finances. AS have no
money to carry out these la VS. We have not done
anything toward perfecting any organization
for that purpose
It was learned however, that quarters had
been set aside for this Department in the old
committee room on the thlr0 moor OF lne bO6lu
of Health Building. The force will probably
consist of four medical inspectors. two clerks
and stenographer, who viii be appointed from
the Civil Service lists. The forms for all the
affidavits certificates and other papers to be
used have been made out. and inside OF forty
eight hours after the appropriation has been
received the department can be organized III
will probably take the rest Of the year 20 get
everything In good running order
1t is estimated that there are no less than
three thousand children In Brooklyn who will be
affected by the new law. Each one of these VIII
have to receive medical examination similar TO
those REQUIRED by Insurance companies. The
fling and collecting of all the information re-
qured by the law will require some time. If
Commissioner Emery had received the money
earlier all this would have been attended to in
August. Now the Department. will hardly be
able to see to the carrying out Of the other pro-
visions Of the law before next year.
II the department is not under way by sep
tember / the city will be liable for damages, and
there is no doubt that the necessary money VIII
he forthcoming from some source. DIT Wycon
said: ,
'If the private citizens knew what an inestirna,
bic benefit the carrying out OF these laws VIII
be to the city. they would he willing 70 put their
hands into their own pockets, rather than see
the work go undone."
The Board of Aldermen's Committee on PUP
lie Health met Wednesday evening ana as
cussed the requsiton Of Commissioner Emery
for S25 600 for the purpose OF carrying out the
provisions OF the "anti-sweat SHOP law LOT
the employment of dump inspectors, ana lot
the free distribution of antitoxin me hltcn
between the Aldermen and the Health Commits
sioner lies In the fact that the Aldermen are
anxious to get a large chunk or the patron
age involved in the expenditure Of the money.
Commissioner Emery is said to be willing to
meet the Aldermen halfway. but no further
and halfway does not seem to suit the Alder
men The Aldermen are threatening to force
the State Factory Inspector to carry out the
provisions of the ant-sweat shop law, ana 10
make the regular force OF the Healtn depart
ment perform the work of the dump inspect
ors The Aldermen are willing to appropriate
$1,000 for the antitoxin. The committee VIII
meet again next week to decide definitely what
report to make at the special adjourned meet
ing of the Board Of Aldermen on August II.