New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-27
STOPS At INSPECTION.
Dir. Hunter Declares Mc1Mackin
Does Not Prosecute Violations.

Robert Hunter, who Sunday at the Central
Federated Union meeting reDIed TO State Labor
Commissioner MeMacktn. after the latter mad de-
MED neglect of dUty alleged by the child labor
committee, yesterday issued a statement il winch
he said
AIr McAfackin has not denied that children have
been working in the canning industry. But; ne
evidently believes that this work is not the KIND
of factory work with which he should interfere.
Although hundreds Of children were found en-
ployed IN this industry, IN Migrant VIuiaHom o.
the law Mr McaaGin has seen az 10 has n ns
tanned and does sun MAINTAIN liilt ne EoiA oi
these children is IN direct violation Of the law anu
we would respectfully refer those who question
Mr. McATacixin knows that the canning factories
exerted tremendous efforts when these laws were
operation Of friends of our committee throughout
the State the law was made to cover those fac
tories and explicitly provides that no child under
or suffered to work in or in connection W1th any
The whole class Of laws having to do with the
sanitation ana safety Of factory oulldhlgs' .le
fare Of the WORKING men and women are violated
quite as commonly as the cnlld LABOR laws. NJ NJ
6 6t baa I Er+ W. Least in is 600 instances he
did not send his inspectors back 70 see II tne
orders Of his department concerning these VIOLA
number Of violations ne only prosecuted four OF
the employers who had violated these provisions
Mr. Mc1Iackn states that he is unable to prose rose
cute the cases. He said It takes too much time
and with thirty-seven inspectors he is unable 70
properly enforce the labor laws of the State. A
State and the work done in Illinois shows that the
excuse which Mr.. McMackin makes with regard
following table will, I think. make this clear. A
comparison with other states will snow similar
NeT ;ogS ul 95sa
Inspectors in the -S 80 -, eel IL
F6f5I per Inspector ESP s4s
Total eonvictions jchildren under sixteen
vioIations - 1900
Total amount hnes S2l5 1850
NETWORK. 1902
From report Of Department Of Labor.
First Inspections 2705I
Prosecutions tonly nine convicons) IS
In other words Mr. McMackin very clearly
showed and it afterward stated by delegates on
the floor that this bureau of labor, which is sup
posed TO enforce the laws, has degenerated into a
mere inspection bureau. instead OF prosecqtlpg
policy during the entire administration of Mr.. Nc
Macktn of threatening prosecutions, but in very
few cases really ever carrying the threat into effect
Mr.. McMackin says that he has found more than
wholesale violation Of the law has appeared in Mr..
McMaclkins reports year after year These faots
demonstrate that the labor laws or Newly ork are
not obeyed, or even respected. by vast number
Mr.. McMackins own printed record is enough 10
bear out the assertion OF our committee that the
practically secure from a fear OF any punishment
OF the violation of these laws, and it is not to be
All fines against all the employers or the State.
Including of course many wealthy esta blishInents
for all the violations OF the law during the year
In so far as child labor cases are concerned. Mr.
McMacku shows in this report that only four firms
were convicted during the year. although there
illinois that up to December of this year there
have been more than 1900 convictions under
similar law in that State
William Waning English. former inspector Of
- iSs :. = - a - - -, rt,iI,5
Labor Committee Of New-York. has alone conducted
law IN one day than Mr., McNackin has during an
entire year Of his administration.