New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-05

| led force In the past. SO II may be necessary
more and more to shackls cunning in the pres
ent The right TO interfere against the ind-
vidual who does wrong by craft is. Of course.
as great as the right TO interfere against one
who does wrong by open violence: though It Is
much more simple matter 10 interfere efectu
! ally in the case than in the other. Great
| care. however must be exercised IN the inter
/ ference The machinery Of business is delicate
| and complicated. and II IL is improperly dsar-
ranged or interfered with. the harm which at
/ first falls on the business OF greater or less
wealth and on the corporations will ultimately
! be distributed throughout the community at
/ large
In dealing with the interests which have
grown TO group together the interests OF
labor we must always Ike ? in mind the fact that
ultimately each mans salvation rests mainly
with himself and that nO amount OF legislation
or OF com animation can supply the lack Of individ-
ual initative-the lack OF individual energy.
honesty. thrift and industry Yet this capacity
FOR individual self-help and should be
generally supplemented by that form OF self
help that follows on organization and associa-
ton. as has been shown by the careers OF many
OF the trade-unions and labor federatons and
sometimes II can be supplemented by the direct
action Of the State Itself
| The development in extent and variety Of in
dustries has necesstated legislation in the inter
est OF labor. This legislation is not necessarily
against the interest OF capital: on the contrary.
| II wisely advised. 1t is for the benefit OF both
laborers and employers We have very wisely
passed many laws for the benefit Of labor. in
themselves good. and for the time being suft-
Client; but experience has shown that the full
benefit OF these laws IS not obtained. through
! the lack Of proper means Of enforcing them and
the failure to make any che department respon-
] sible for their enforcement.
At present the enforcement OF the law resu-
/ lating the hours Of labor Of minors under four
| teen years OF age and ~ women employed In
mercantile establishments and the sanitary
condition Of stores and buildings used for sim
liar purposes in large cities is left 10 the Board
! or Health. II the city government fails 10 fur
nish the proper appropriation and appoint the
necessary officers 10 carry out the law as Is at
present the case in New-York City. II is prac-
| tically dead letter
Another important statute Of this character
relates 10 providing secure scafolding in the
erection Of new buildings. The law this sub
/ Ject is ali that could be desired but its enforce
ment is left 10 the city police. and. as a matter
carrying II into effect In New York City where
this law is most needed. police officers are unac-
quainted with the character and requirements
/ Of the law. Most Of them. indeed. are not aware
/ that the enforcement Of this law is any part OF
/ their duty.
The law regulating the hours Of labor on sur
/ face railroads is also excellent provision
against the tendency to work the men an almost
unlimited number Of hours. The enforcement OF
/ this law is left 70 the Railroad Commissioners
As they have no active force 70 for such
/ purpose the law fails by default. except when
Individual citizens undertake the prosecutions
The employe himself will rarely or never com,
plain. for fear Of being discharged
In order that the desire Of the people definite
/ ly expressed In this wholesome legislation. shall
he made effective. I recommend that the ell
forcement o; the entire body Of legislation
1ck
. Factory Inspectors This would simplify the
/ whole question OF labor legislation and place
/ the responsibility for its enforcement where il
/ properly belongs, aid would also give the maxi
mum efficiency Of service with the minimum
cost 10 the state. With 4 slight ircrease in the
T general force Of factory inspectors this work
can BE- done for the whole State and the object
Of the legislation be satisfactorily secured 70
the people. l recommend that the Legislature
provide for adtitiGnal factory inspectors so as
10 bring the total number UP 10 fifty and also
that the Governor be empowered 70 appoint un-
salaried deputies
Another very important phase OF this subject
is the sweatshop system. which is practically
the conversion Of the poorest class Of living
apartments into unwholesome. poster aating and
crime breeding workshops Laws have been en-
acted by the Legislature 70 suppress this vile
phase Of industrial life in our large cities. by
prohibiting the use OF dwellings for the pur-
poses 81 manufacture. Although the law Is
quite explicit and the intention OF the Leeis
lature obvious great difficulty has been expe
rienced In its effective enforcement II is every
where agreed that this tenement-house or
'sweatshop" system is degrading 70 the IN
fortunate individuals engaged In Il and 70 the
social and mora life Of the community In which
II exists. How 70 enforce the law on this sub
ject has perpexed the statesmen Of other coun-
tries and States as we'll as cur own.
The most effective ard uninquisitive means
yet devised for accomplishing This end - that
recently adopted by Massachusetts. viz. Pro-
vdng that buildings used for manufacturing
purposes must have a permit or license. su 5,
tion that the appointments Of the building fulfil
the requirements Of the law for manufacturing
purposes These permits or licenses ought 70 be
granted by the Board Of Factory Inspectors,
who should be held responsible fOr the proper
inspection OF the buildings and the enforcement
Of the law.
There are several reasons why this simple
method would be effective It would at once
classify buildings used Tor manufacturing pur-
poses. as a building so used without permit
would be violating the law. II would prevent
much friction because all requirements % the
law would have 20 be fulfilled before the build
ing was used. This would be great advantage
in the erection Of new buildings as proper con-
veniences including accessible horoscopes
guarded elevators, and other appointments
would be required and easily furnished When
new buildings were being erected or when old
ones were being changed for manufacturing
nurposes Nor does THIS Involve any radlcdi
innovation. II is simply applying me recCs-
nized principles upon which Doa1ds OF hrallh
/ nov everywhere act in requiring that the pans
-or erecting new buildings or alterations OF olG
&c yo,,st he submitted 10 the Building and
Health DEPARTMENTS and a certificate OF ap-
rrovsl granted before the building can De
erected. alterations made, or The premises oe-
cuped Legitimate manufactures VIII no' Cd
iAct 10 this because they are deslrous OF lHI-
yiebinr safe and wholesome appointments for
their employees Only those who desire 70 eyads
the law and disregard the common oendnus u
sarita+fon domestic decency. and wholesome IN
Srs,riai methods will object and II is these the
law desires 70 reach .s.,- -
a-,broit mis- 70 the serious consideration or
- aatsfa ,ure and suggest that an appointment
80 ~ law eubodying this idea be adopted 70
no end that the unec0nomic. unWnolesoine ana
un-Auerican sweatshop system snail disappear
from our industrial life.
The law requiring an elght-hour day and a
prevailing rate OF wages for state employees II
afr~n enforcement