New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-26
M'MACKIN FACES HUNTER.
TILT At G. f. U. MEETING.
Charges and Counter Charges Fol
Lo1C Thick and Fast.

There a large attendance at yesterdays meet
ing of the Central Federated Union to hear the
reply of State Labor Commissioner John McMackn
TO the charges made by Robert Hunter, chairman
of the Child Labor Committee. a week ago. Mr..
Hunter present, but after time it was evident
that the Central Federated Union did not care to
take sides with either.
"As to these charges, which unfair and which
am sorry to have to reply 10 on Christmas Day."
Mr.. McMackin said. "all know about them is gath
cred from reports in the newspapers When the Child
Labor law was amended 1t tacitly understood
that the Child Labor COMMITTEES would immediate
ly inform the department of all violations coming
under its notice, that they could be dealt with
promptly. This done. covering conditions In
greater New-York. until the Child Labor Commit
tee waited Governor-elect Higgins and presented
certain relating TO upstate conditions. which
had never been called to the attention of the de-
partment-"
1t had remained. he said, for a self-constituted
organization for Interior motives mendacously to
assai the department IN the first instance without
furnishing proof. Mr. Hunters course was not
straightforward. He had even. Mr.. McMackin de-
clared. made complaints against him based
statements which had since been withdrawn by
Secretary Paulding of the Child Labor Committee.
Docs Mr.. Hunter" he asked. consider OF stc-
ondary Importance every other provision of the
labor law. while the department turns It's atten-
ton solely the prosecution Of certain class OF
manufacturers who were guilty Of child labor vio-
latons? Is the department to overlook safety and
sanitation. the safeguarding Of machinery and
other matters contemplated in the statutes? IN my
official opinion the greatest good 70 the greatest
number should be the OF the department in the
enforcement Of the law.
Most. II not ALL OF the statements OF Mr. Hunter
he said. were made without proofs OF any kind.
The idea OF child OF three years old being en-
ployed in a factory was ridiculous.
The canning factories" he continued ARE on
the outskirts of small towns and villages, and the
housewives who live around them md employment
IN TbaSa o-iRa yNrl ia Vphf and
ticaliy done in the open air. the preparatory work
being done in sheds adjoining the factory. II IS
question IN fact whether these sheds are part OF
the factory within the meaning OF the law. Any
small children found ia and about these establish
ments during the with their mothers
and are not there as empoyes OF the mandatory.
To send broadcast the statement that children
three. four, five, eleven and twelve years OF age
employed in the factories is a gross libel on
the State
In twenty-five cases we obtained ten convictions
In the year ending last September after repeated
adjournments This showed that there was dis
position on the part OF OF tho courts TO deal
leniently with violators of new or amended laws.
ANY citizen put the machinery OF the law
in motion. and II Mr.. Hunter had the welfare OF
the children at heart it would look TO that he
had ample opportunity TO do so without waiting
for the action OF the department. SO long as he
failed to take such steps would ask in all fair
did Mr.. Hunter actually neglect his duty?'
Mr. McMackin replied to the charge that under
his administration a number of people were burned
TO death at Brooklyn factory which there was
fire escape by quoting opinion from At
torney General Cunneen. Mr.. McMackin con-
strued this opinion showing that the Building
Department had jurisdiction over fire escapes
Mr.. Hunter got the floor. He said he did not
like TO attack Christmas Day for being
wholly incompetent and inefficient. but ne had 20
do SO. Mr. McNackin, he asserts did not enforce
the law the Chelsea Jute Mills of Brooklyn.
and several other places. Mr.. Hunter had
eral photographs of children employed up tho
State in factories which he handed around
IT do not believe that Mr.. McMackin is corrupt"
ne said Thousands Of children have to suffer be-
Of his incompetence however. and ! am going
to do everything l can to get somebody appointed
to carry out the law.
Mr. McMackin then took the floor again and !
talked directly to Mr.. Hunter
The pictures Of the shed and the children that |
you have handed around very fine, and YOU |
want TO impose on the public with Them, he began
syInpa thiztng public making statements without |
proof That is not manly You say your committee /
has a fund of $4,000. which Is over third of my |
whole appropriation Couldn't you do something |
better with it, unless. perhaIs, you propose
it in new campaign? Where does this money |
come from? l had intention of seeking reap
pointment l had another position view, but |
when Mr.. Hunter and others, who thought that |
they could revoutionize everything made n bue |
and cry. I decided TO become Candidate for re-
appointment. If the department handed over |
20 the people you want to select whether il Ia Mrs
Florence Kelly or not. the department would not |
A short discussion followed between Mr.. Hunter |
and Mr. MGNaekih in regard TO some statements |
son. financial secretary Of the Central Federated
Union said:
1.-THE Central Federated Union decided to table |
the matter until future time. No motion |
made cI1ticisng either Mr.. McMackin or Mr. |
Hunter"