The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-08-11
TO PROTECT LABOR.
STATE FACTORY INSPECTOR
VISITS KENOSHA'S FACTORIES.
FOR BETTER FIRE PROTECTION.
Several Factories in the City are Found
to Be Deficient But No Action is
Taken as Yet-Investigation of
Child Labor.

State factory Inspector Long, Of
Madison, is in the city today on his
usual semi annual visit. Mr.. Long has
made many visits to the city for the
purpose of investigating into the EN-
ployment of child labor, but bis mission
at the present time is a new one. He
comes for the purpose of making a
critical examinat of the fire protec-
ton which is employed in the various
industrial plants of the city.
The terrible fire in Racine short
time ago gave new impetus to the
discussion of fire protection in factories
and the inspectors have been ordered
to enforce the law to the fullest extent
Inspector Long arrived in Kenosha
Thursday afternoon and at once began
his labors, which although not yet
complete, go to show that in several
factories there is great chance for
improvement.
In speaking on the subject this
morning Mr.. Long said that while he
had not found any serious cases many
of the factories are not properly sup
piled with fire escapes and should any
| bad confagratiOn break out numbers of
employees would be forced to leap from
the windows to save themselves from
| flames. However, these factories were
all of only two stories in height and not
covered by the law.
Another question was the ventilation,
but this does not make much difference
at this period of the year, as large
amount of fresh air is supplied from
open windows. When the winter
months come, however, some changes
must be made and the owners of the
factory have promised to comply with
the law in this regard.
The following extract from the laws
of 1895, chapter 355, section l, will
give some much needed light on this
subject of vital Importance:
Section l, Chapter 255, laws of 1855.
Section 4575a, of the revised statutes is
amended so as to read as follows: Sec
ton 4575a. Any person, persons, or
body corporate, owning, occupying or
controlling any factory, workshop, or
structure three or more stories high, in
which twenty five or more persons are
employed at any kind of labor, shall
provide and keep connected with the
same one or more good and substantial
metallic or ireproof ladders, stairs or
stairways, ready for use at all times,
reaching from the cOrnice to the top Of
the first story, on the outside of such
building, and placed in such position
and in such number as may be desig-
mated by the chief of the fire depart
ment, fire marshal, or state factory in
spector, and at each story above the
first there shah be a wrought iron bal
cony in connection with each such lad
der substantially attached to the build
ing, of such length as to permit of
access to the same from two or more
windows on each story, and of suffi
Gent size to furnish reasonable means
of escape to persons employed therein,
from each and every floor or story
above the first. In all cities where
there is water supply, by either water
works, fire engines, or local pumping
station there shall be attached to the
fire escape, except on buildings
equipped with automatic sprinklers, a
three-inch wrought iron stand pipe,
extending from point within five feet
from the ground to point three feet
above the roof or cornice. at each story
above the first, and on the roof shall
be attached a two and one-half inch
angle hose valve, with male hose con-
nection and a double or siamese " Y"
female hose connection, at the base
of the pipe, the threads of the
same to conform to the size, and
pattern used by the fire department.
where located. And any such person,
persons or corporate body who shall
for three months after notice by the
chief of the fire department, fire mar
shall or state factory inspector of the
passage and publication of this act fail
to provide and keep such means of
escape from fire or such stand pipe,
shall be subject to fine not exceeding
one hundred dollars or to imprisonment
in the county Jail not exceeding three
months, at the discretion of the court.
A fight of considerable proportions
| o0aI1rrnH of tho ho11 crapnn on SunHoU