New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
FIGHTING THE SWE4TSHOP.
REMEDIAL PLANS OF COMBATING THE EVIL
DISCUSSED AT A CONFERENCE


DISCUSSED AT CONFERENCE.
Remedial sweatshop legislation was strongly ad-
vocated al a conference held yesterday the
chapel of the Church Of the Heavenly Rest in East
Forty-seventh-st.. between the Church Association
for the Advancement Of the Interests OF Labor and
representatives from a number OF trades organiza-
tons and similar associations in greater New
York. The Rev. Francis Clay Moran presided, and
the meeting addressed by John Williams Chief
Factory Inspector of the State. Representatives
from the Consumers League Of Manhattan and Of
Brooklyn. the Social Reform Club. University Set
tlement Society. Womans Industrial Alliance. Gar
meut Workers Union, Vest and Pants Makers
unions were present
DR.. Moran summarized the reports Of the 1856 in
spectors who had appointed at the las; meet
ing According 10 DR.. Moran. l35 sweatshops had
been investigated Of which number ninety-eght
had certificates twenty had licenses. toilet con-
ditions very bad in seventy while light
ditions bad in nearly all The Official IN
spectors employed by the State. IL was declared,
were utterly inadequate for the inspection Of the
clothing trade. to say nothing Of the white goods
trade
The conditions will never be improved contin-
ued Dr. Moran. until all manufacturing of clothing
shall be carried in factories butt for that pur
pose. The IamentabIe fact was clearly shown 10
the examiners that reputable firms. both in the
men and women's clothing business who allege
10 have all work done premises, in reality have
much done in dirty. unsaHitary sweatshops. and
justify their action by declaring the buildings
are inspected by the factory inspectors"
Dr.. Moran added that II a,so indisputabe
that some deputy factory inspectors did not ade
Guately perform their duties.
State Inspector Williams. on behalf OF his De
narrnent said that with his present force Of depu-
ties under labor laws his Department
could scarcely perform the almost doubled amount
OF work imposed them. The law. he added. was
mandatory and when inspected, If premises were
clean at. the time he could do nothing but grant
for arr1fF blf hist
MI Williams said more applications Tor licenses
had been received in months than the State Of
Massachusetts mas in one year In one year the
mum Der of applications for licenses IN greater New
York Was 1892 and the number granted 400 Eliza
beIh-st. alone, in I'VE months contributed 1gZI ap-
plications. Mott-st. $50 and Mu.berry-st. % One
thousand five hundred applicants had moved pc
the investigation BY inspectors Of the Department
nv unscrupuIous owners OF the dens they call
home said Mr. Williams who extort exorbitant
norahce u iIis L9sS a IttS isans, rhs nj
yduals. who responsible for the existing condt-
QUO Horowich chairman Of the Legal Commit
tee read draft OF bill which had been prepared
by the committee, which amended the existing
factory inspectors for duty in greater New-York at
a salary Of s. 300 year; the appointment by the
Of honorary deputy factory inspectors, who would
draw no salary and would not be under the direc
ton Jurisdiction Of the State Inspector State In
sDector Williams Immediately said II such bill
SUPPORT X as a number of additional inspectors
even though honorary and drawing no pay. would
fhey followed their OVID incinations as to the meth
90 NJ Mrs F Trow moved that the appoint
ment OF fifty voluntary factory inspectors De made
mandatory This was lost by one vote. II then
decided to appoint a committee 20 cooperate with
the Legal Committee TO draft a suitable amend
Changes desired BY the majority This committee
Rg-ln q and fn..r.o VII rs5cft
Al some future meeting.