The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-07

They've just Found Out That the New Tspe-
msnt Labor Law Applies to Them.

They've just Eounu Out Thnt the New Tene-
msnt Labor Law Applies to Them.
The dressmakers Of this city have only inst
discovered that under the new tenement labor
law. they will be Obliged TO take out licenses.
the came as tenement house workers and
others. to affect whom the law was framed.
Although licenses cost nothing and are to be
had on application. the fashionable dressmlk-
ers In this city are not at all pleased to and
tbense lves under the supervision OF the Fac
tory Inspection Department. for their estab-
lishments must be open TO visits by inspectors
OF any time Some dressmakers are inclined to
revolt but Superintendent OF Licenses Daniel
0'Leary says that the law 10 plain and that
the dressmakers may rs we'll understand now
az any time that It Includes them. and further
more that It will be vigorously enforced.
The second paragraph OF Article l.. Of the
law. defines employee as = mechanic. working
man or laborer, who works for another for
hire. and an employer IA any owner. proprie-,
tor. agent. superintendent. foreman or other
subordinate. who employs such mechanic.
workingman or laborer. Mr.. O'Leary says
that this clearly defines the position OF the
fashionable tailor and then turns to Article
VII. OF the new law. q part Of which 10 a. fol-
lows:
NO room or apartm ent in any tenement or
dwelling house. or In building situated In tho
rear OF any tenement or dwelling house. shall
be used for the purpose OF manufacturing. al
tering. repairing. or finishing therein. any
coats. vests. knee-pa trousers. ovcralls
oloaks, hats. caps, suspenders. Jerseys blousss,
dresses. waists. waist bands. underwear. neck
wear. furs. fur trimmings. fur garments.
skirts. shirts, purses feathers. artificial flow
ers. cigarettes. cigars. or umbrellas. unless q
license is secured therefor as provided In this
| article"
The word dresses" was not included In the
list in this article under the old law. and 80 the
dressmakers were able to get out OF taking out
licenses. Supt. OLeary made several efforts to
| bring the dressmakers and ladies' taiors into
| line some time ago. but was unsuccessful. il
| was at his suggestion that the word ''dresses'
| was inserted in tho new law. and he now
says that the dressmakers must take out IL
| censes the same as other workers In dwelling
houses and tenements. The law also applies
| to owners OF stores In baaements Of buildings,
tho upper parts OF which are used as living
| apartments according to Mr.. O'Leary.
Most all OF the dressmakers In town have
been notified By Mr.. OLsary OF the necessity
| OF taking out licenses. but com aratively few
| have yet filed applications. Mr.. OIeary saw
he has no doubt that all will comply with the
| law In good time Dressmakers who 60 out to
| do work in the houses OF the people for whom
they are sewing. will not be obliged to have
| licenses. but manufacturers who send work
out to be done will have to see that all who
take work from them are properly licensed
| Otherwise they will themselves violate the law
,ASuN reporter saw several fashionable dress
makers on Fifth and Madison avenues yester.
day and asked them what they thought OF the
law. They all agreed that the insertion OF this
word ''dresses" In article VII seemed to bring
them under tho law. although they didn't
appear to like 1t any too well. most OF them ad.
mitted that they had already filed applications
for licenses. and those who hadn't remarked
regretfully that they supposed that they would
| have to do so sooner or later