Evening star., 1899-03-07
Statement as to Conditions in the
State of Massachusetts.
CHIEF OF DISTRICT POLICE TESTIFIES
Female and Child Labor in the
Different Factories.
NO SWE SHOPS THERE

Rufus W, Wade of Boston, chief Of the
Massachusetts district police, appeared be-
fore the industrial commission this morn
ing. Mr.. Wade had been administering the
| factory laws of Massachusetts, for twenty
years and is regarded as the leading au-
thority in that state on such matters.
Members of the commission present were
ex-senator Lee Mantle, Messrs Andrew L.
Harris, s. N. D. North, Ellison A. Smyth,
John M. Farquhar. Thomas w. Phillips,
| Charles ]. Harris. NJ D. Ratchford and
John L.. Kennedy.
Speaking of the Canadian labor in Mas
| sachusetts. Mr.. Wade said these laborers
| came to this country during periods of de-
preston in Canada or when great prosper
| ity in the United States would bring them
across the line; but they did not come to
stay. In the case of strikes, 1t was the
French Canadians who took the place of
strikers. In Massachusetts, he said, very
| few strikes had ever been successful.
The weekly payment law in Massachu-
sets was generally success, and he did
not know that it was antagonized.
Mr.. S. N. D. North inquired whether the
payment of wages with store orders had
been abandoned.
Mr.. Wade said that that question had
worked itself out without legislation, and
no such practice was pursued.
Females ana Child Labor.
In regard to the employment of females
and children in the factories of Massachu-
setts, Mr. Wade said that everything affect
ing the health and comfort of these en-
ployes in the factories had been done; in
that respect he regarded the Massachusetts
laws as very satisfactory.
The minimum age at which children can
work is fourteen years. The age had grad
uaily been raised to this limit from eight
years. But when the age limit was fixed at
fourteen years only 100 children were
thrown out of employment because of less
than that age He would not recommend
the Increase of the age limit to sixteen
years because he believed that a child could
secure very fair education up to fourteen
years of age, and would then be able to go
into the world and work intelligentiy for its
benefit. In all towns of over 10000 inhab-
1tants in Massachusetts night schools must
be maintained, and illiterate children are
not allowed to work in factories unless they
attend night schools. although over four
teen years of age The children are not al
lowed to work over fifty-eight hours a
week. In reply to a question by Mr.. NJ. D.
Ratchford. he said he would favor a lessen
ing of hours of labor in Massachusetts, gen.
orally gradually, but would approve no rad
1cal change.
The Sweat Shop System.
Speaking of the sweat shop system. Mr..
Wade said that Boston had been invaded by
this system after it took hold in New York
but he had made investigation and rec
ommended law which was enacted five
Years ago. Since that time these sweat
shops had been driven out. until today he
was sure there was nothing in Massachu-
sets that could be designated as a sweat
shop. This had resulted in decreasing the
amount of clothing manufactured in Ros-
ton, but the people thought they gained
more IN health than they lost in business
ana they We're satisfied with the result
Speaking of convict labor. he said al
though he had spent thirteen years in
prison duty his observation did not lead
was sufficient to affect the interests of
labor. 1t was a question in his mind
whether the self-supporting element should
be taken into consideration in the prisons.
More school Facilities Needed.
In Massachusetts, he said, the larger
cities are constantly complaining of want
of better school facilities and are building
school houses all the time He did not
think the school facilities in Boston were
sufficient
Mr.. Wade said the law of Massachusetts,
in regard to sanitary and personal safety
matters was as perfect as it could be made
Compared with the condition twenty-five
years ago the labor performed today IS
easy and comfortable.
Mr.. Phillips said it had been stated that
the strictness of Massachusetts labor laws
there. Mr.. Wade said he hadn't seen much
of that and that factories had continued
to be built.
Tomorrow Mr.. Daniel OLeary chief fac
tory inspector of New York, will appear
before the commission.