The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-01-23
INSPECTION OF FACTORIES.
Results Described in Annual Report o
 State Inspector Mclean.


 State Inspector Mclean.
 The usual report of George L. Me Lean. state inspector of factories. has been submitted to Governor Chamber lain. and from the report, which covers the fiscal year ended September 30, 1903. it appears that the inspector and his deputies. Henry o. Nichols of Norwich and John H. Quinlan of Meriden, visi- ted during the period 1880 factories and 254 bakeshops. In the 1, ,69O factories in- spected there were 181.5S employees. of whom 1S2,24S were males and 49.S57 were females.
 A number of factories were found in which twenty or more persons were employed above the second floor. and in which only one way of egress was pro- vided. At one factory one hundred and forty women were employed on four different floors under such conditions that had fire occurred during working hours loss of life might have resulted. Tn other factories the inspector reports having found the fire escapes and stair
 
 be used, and the tenants of such build ings were so crowded for room that they were using the fire escapes and , entry ways for storage purposes. Re- garding these conditions, Inspector Me Lean says that the fault lies with the tenants, as the owners of the buildings have provided good and sufficient means of egress.
 In relation to elevators, the inspector says that the openings formerly guard ed by bars and chains have been done away with, and are now in most instan- ces protected by closing gates or hatch es. Experience has taught that a chain or bar across an elevator opening is no protection whatever. In many places visited, a regular employe to op- crate the car was not found. but any employe who had occasion was allowed to operate it, and for this reason many accidents took place.
 Concerning bakeries, 254 of which were visited during the year, the re- port, after contrasting the conditions relative to. location with those of 1897, says that the cellar and basement shop are being gradually eliminated. To the consolidation of baking interests and the requirements of the new law is at tributed the closing of objectionable places. Continuing, the report says:
 Several bakeries were found in the course of construction in basements, but the parties being notified that this was contrary to law, located in first floor shops. It would seem that after six years of inspection and the publication by the press of the re-condition of ba- keries that they should be known to everyone. The condition of bakeries has been greatly improved during this time, and while there will probably be found some places each year in unsani- tary condition, by the proper enforce ment of the law such conditions will be largely done away with.
 Many complaints were received re- garding the ventilation of water closets. At some places the water pressure was very low during the summer months, and consequently closets situated on up- per floors of factories did not flush pro- perly, thereby creating conditions which can only be overcome by forcing water to storage tank at suitable location. In large factories where gang closets were found the ventilation was greatly improved by the use of blower con- neeted with a metal draught pipe lead ing from the main one underneath each closet seat.
 In conclusion Inspector Mclean rec ommends that at the next session of the general assembly the fire escape laws of the state be amended so that the en- forcement of the law in factories be made mandatory; also that the bake shop" law be amended so that the terms "cellar" and basement shall be clearly defined.