New-York tribune., 1907-01-29
HUGHES FOR SAFETY.
PLEADS FOR LABORERS,
Governor addresses Dinner IN Inter
est Of PrOtectiUe Deuices.


Governor Hughes declared that, while the pub
lie shuddered at the carnage of war, too little
attention was given 10 the pers of the indus
trial army.
The dinner was held at the Waldorf There
were present manufacturers merchants pub
lciss, capitalists and editors of technical jour-
nails. The occasion signalized the opening to-
day of the exposition of safety devices and
industrial hygiene in a wing of the American
Museum OF Natural History.
Governor Hughes said:
I am glad to have this opportunity 10 testify
10 my interest in the important movement which
we now formally inaugurate. We have been
terssf. and It is agreeable TO all of us. / am
sure, 10 have part in launching under these
security Of life and limb
IN meeting here We express our appreciation
OF the necessity OF awakening general interest
in the safety or those engaged in Industrial
eTnployments. We shudder at the thought OF
the carnage OF war. but we give too little at
tention 10 the perils OF oIlr industrial army
snd to the useless sacrifice Of life and produc-
tive efficiency which is the result Of prevent BILE
accidents IN industry We are lacking in sun
Gent data 10 state with eXactitude the number
OF the victims, but such statistics as are at
hand permit appalling inference. II has been
esIimated that the so-called industrial accidents
IN the United States amount 10 more than I'VE
hundred thousand year. Whether not this
be accurate there can be question as to the
alaInllhg extent or the casualties of peace, and
the same humane sentimnt which has found ex-
preston IN eII0rIS TO prevent and miti-
gste ITS horrors should compel the adoption OF
all practicable measures TO safeguard in
dustrial laborers.
The common law reflects the view that the
laborer is free in his choice of occupation and
voluntarily accepts its obvious risks. He Is sup
posed 20 deal a footing Of equality with his
employer and to he compensated bv the agreed
wages for the risks which be assumes
However convenient thisotnay be as a matter
OF legal theory. know that industrial
sr1ny is recruited from those who have no choice
but 10 take the work nearest at hand and 10
Eo~ h ,-s- IL.
ettend 1t. The workman takes the risk because
he must work or starve. and in getting work he
cannot afford to be too sqUeamish about the
conditions under which he is employed
To be sure humane motives and economic rea-
sons have led 10 the adoption of varied safety
appliances. Inventive skill has been directed
% the protection Of labor. Legislatures have in
tervened and have specifically required pro-
lection But much remains TO he accomplished,
and from experience abroad the conclusion is
forced upon that very large proportion of
the injuries which annually occur. are wholly
It is shocking thought that the wage earn
possible the industrial prestige Of which
boast should be subjected through Ignorance or
Indifference ~ unnecessary peril The interests
Of labor are the interests Of all the people and
the protection Of the wage Garner in the
curity Of his life and health 10y every prac-
ficable means IS one Of the most sacred trusts
of society. 1T is Of the first Importance that
this obligation should voluntarily be recognized
and that every effort should he made to better
conditions OF their labor decent, wholesome and
safe.
This letter was read from President Roosevelt
by Dr. Strong. 10 whom it was addressed:
I wish I could be present at the opening of
the Exposition OF Safety Devices and Industrial
Hygiene 10 be held under the auspices of the
American Institute Of Social Service.
As modern civilization constantly IS creating
artificial dangers TO life. limb and health il is
imperative upon 10 provide new safeguards
against the new perils. In legislation and in our
use of safety devices for the protection OF
workmen We are far behind European peoples.
and in consequence in the United States the
casualties attendant upon peaceful industries
exceed those which would happen under great
and perpetual war. Many. even most Of these
casualties are preYentable. and IL is not sup
porta bic that we should continue policy under
which life and limb are sacrificed because il Is
supposed 10 be cheaper TO main and kill men
than 10 protect them.
DR.. Josiah Strong IN an Introductory address
said that if another civil war imminent.
or a struggle with some great foreign power the
government would make every effort avert
such a calamity. And yet. he said, so far
casualties are concerned, we are in various
industries carrying two such at the
same time and no particular notice IS being at
iracted OF the projected museum he said:
There are in Europe various museums Of Sc
curity and industrial hygiene whose object is
10 protect the life, limb and health Of the
worker Such an institution permanently estab-
ished in this city would keep constant
hlbition live" machinery, working reOdels and
photographs. showing all possible derices for
IT would lay before state legislatures the i'm
portance Of requiring a strict report Of in
dustrial accidents. 1t would collect the laws Of
al industrial nations touching on the subject
OF accidents. and by studying the history and
the effects of such legislation ascertain the rel
afiVe value OF such laws.
Carroll D. Wright ex-Commissioner OF Labor
and now president OF Clark University, was at
the dinner. representing the government After
declaring that the duty OF the public to
study all industrial safety appliances. which
would tend 10 preserve the health and bo1y of
the worker he recited some startling statistics
on the subject. showing that the loss Of life on
railroads in the three years ended June. 1905.
was greater than the losses Of three years Of
the Transvaal war. He said:
President Roosevelt is thoroughly interested
in all efforts both through legislation ana pri-
Vate initiative, to reduce the number OF acci-
dents occurring each year on our railroads ana
in our industrial establishments His thought
his interest and his public declaration all favor
such efforts.
He would have been glad to be present this
evening and give his hearty personal greetings
10 You in the movement now being inaugurated,
but II was not possible for him TO attend, ana
him. ] bring you, therefore, his cordial
greetings and best wishes for the success of the
movement.
In these initial steps we must recognize that
every Industrial change Of any magnitude brings
with II increased obligations involving serious
and far-reachng problems. which must be met
and which il should be The endeaVor OF al
sane men 10 solve.
The statistics Of accidents are startling. They
due 10 many causes-Door equipment or
roads, negligence Of devices 10 prevent them.
carelessness. through habit otherwise, OF
employees. but more, take IL. through the very
conditions Of all industry The enormous eX-
pansion Of railroad business Of transportation
IN every respect Of the introduction OF ma
chinery. the expansion Of trolley lines, the