New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
THE GLEDHILL BIILDING LAW.
IT PKOrE Is THE WoRKMEN AGAINST IN
JURY. But Is SAID TO WORK HARDSHIP
To THE SMALL. BUILDERS

The GloihM bin. the purpose oi "hich Is '' a"o''
protectiol nruns injury or death 10 persons eh-
Moved on buildings IN course OF constitution !" t"e
ines ~ this STATE. has becom. .aw. T1e bill,
which was signed by the Governor on Tu'sd'y'
,,ks T. ir,peratiys that Hcors either pertinent or
f,nucrAry BE- laid IA all new buildings as the frames
of the structure reach each story me cpJe'' OF 'he
n., Inv IS 10 prevent accidents 10 the "'rkmeh o.
filling through the structures when engaged III
erecting the framework. and also to guard them
,., q, ui,y tool. and other materlal The bill was
,,r.d hv the trades unions OF This ci'y. ana II hai
IA. ,niorsemcnt 81 the Central Labor Cnion ana OF
other labor organizations
Workmen had long complained OF the dahs''
which they were In every day they worked on the
lrg. buildings which being erected nowadays
a,d ,Ae, declared that the builders did not make
adeo,atc royision for their safety. Accidents were
OF almost daily occurrence. ana the "or'hsh "'eSo'
that they had no redress. The builders were Ho'
compelled TO provide for injured workmen' ana the
latter had to be supported by the trades unions
The iron structural workers were the worst suner-
,rs owing TO the loose methods Of constructing
buildings and the funds OF their union were con-
stantly being depleted for the support OF injured
members or for paying funeral expenses instances
ore on record where many as four CANS lot ahpu-
lances have been made from single buildlhS u'"'r
construction ten hours 1t Is needless TO say tn"'
tho mechanics of the building trades are much
ple,sed that Assemblyman Gledhilfs bill mas become
a law. ,
The builders as rule think mat the theory Vi
the new, law Is all right but they feel that 1t Is an
extreme measure. and therefore may at times DE
detrimental to their interests in more than rea-
sor,bIe degree \ representative OF the hrm or
Robinson e. Wallace. general contfaotors Vi W. La
East Tventy-thrd- st, while speaking or the pro-
visions OF the law 10 Tribune reporter Yesterday
said that he did think II would cause the 'atse
contractors much trouble. His Arm IS now engaged
g., tho erection Of the large office building at Broad
way and Prnce-st.. and aiso the one AT broadwaJ
az uo said that in the erection Of such classes OF
hn,iIdn"s the arches we're laid fast the prog
ross OF tho framework would permit The arches
are composed of brick. and they are iald sonu pc
tween the beams of each floor. or course. the top
eooring cannot be laid until the roof Is on II II
were il would become warped ana olherwlse uaii-
,rsd nv the elements Expense does not ngure win
The builders OF these immense structures IN ne
hiring OF workmen. The more workmen Of the az
Terenf trades which they can put to work on the
hnlldngs they are erecting the faster they Wi! get
along and the quicker will be the payments rom me me
9s fast as the other work will permit the worSmen
enabled 10 move around the floors quicker than
they would be able TO do on narrow pathways OK
The objections to the new law will come principally
from the small builders who do their work more
slowly Not having much capital they cannot Keep
men Of many trades at work at the same time. The
law may also trouble In time OF strikes,
when, although mechanics Of other trades may oe De
cases however. temporary floors OF planklng could
be laid There may be other times when the extreme
RrS%sie Now and then the Builders the
sssms on The 0s5 ns
ago Then again. In the erection Of narrow buildings
Kis necessary to leave large open space through
The builders afraid that In such cases the walk
spsees Be oored over It is not likely however that
the builders will contest the new law ~ some % tea, @
81 ss be- S o
Several other builders and architects expressed the