New-York tribune., 1905-01-17
AGAINST M'MACKIN.
Committee disks GOUerRor Not to
Reapp0int Labor Commissioner.

Albany. Jan. 1s-Robert Hunter, chairman of the
New-York City child labor committee accom-
panied by V. Bverit Macy, of the national and
State child labor committees, called on Governor
Higgins to-day and presented to him report of
that body designed to show that State Labor Com
missioner John McMackn has failed to enforce the
laws not only against the employment in factories
of children under fourteen years old but also
regarding the protection of adult employees. The
committee asks that Commissioner McMackin be
not reappointed.
The report claims that while violations of the
labor laws have increased since 1901 the number
OF convictions and fines. and also OF reinspectons
and prosecutions. has decreased. Although there
were In 1903 5000 violations found by the in
spectors on first visits to factories says the
committee. there only 1.095 reinspectiOns to
determine il the orders Of the department had
been complied with, and only thirty-nne convic-
tions In the year before there almost many
violations and only seven convictions" The com
mttee believes that the labor laws as they now
stand are adequate but that the present condition
OF child labor and insufficient protection to factory
employees due TO the departments failure TO
enforce them.
The report speaks particularly Of the employment
of young children in the canning factories of Syra
euse Auburn, Oneida and Rome. in one of which it
is stated that the foreman estimated that there
Were three hundred children under fourteen In
the rush season, the report alleges. children are
employed in Of the factories until and 3
o'clock in the morning Mention is made Of one
where child of four earned Is cents day string
ing beans.
The committee tells Of frequent appeals to Com
missioner McAackin since the fall Of 1902 After
these years of experience" says the report, the
committee is forced to the conclusion that the
Commissioner of Labor Is q man of many excuses.
nv means of which he has been able until now to
deceive the child labor committee. and what is
far worse TO deny TO the working children of the
State the lawful protection which has been pro-
vided for them by the legislative representatives OF
this State"
Mr. McMackin, it is alleged first declared that
his hands tied because he had no attorney to
prosecute volators of the law. yet when special
deputy the office Of District Attorney Jerome
was placed at his disposal only case involving
two children, was brought TO the District Attor-
neys attention IN seven months
The method OF procedure of the department, says
the committee is to blame for continued violations
Of the law. A factory Is inspected. Il says, and
! the children found there under are discharged
The board refers to the enormous death rate from
consumption, declares that Industrial conditions arc
largely responsible for its spread and declares that
! IL Is obvious that due regard for the health Of
those exposed to Industrial dust demands that tis
source Of danger should be reduced much as
possible by the application OF all reasonable sani
The hoard recommends that it be the duty of the
| ouirc so far reasonably practical under the
varying circumstances, efficient protection 10 the
provided IN that occupation where within The com
/ Inonwealth. such protection is most efiicient
Governor Higgins stated tonight that secretary
Hunter OF the child Labor Committee came 70 see
him relative TO the enforcement of the Child Labor
| laws. He told me that the Child Labor Committee
not satisfied with the work of the present head
Of the State Labor Department. He said that
/ neither he the Child Labor Committee had any
candidate for the place; He left copy OF state
| sideratiOn ] am not ready 10 state what VIII d.
in regard to this appointment"