New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-03
REGARD FOR LIFE.

The exhibition of life saving appliances. or
of devices intended to prevent loss OF lie or
physical injuries, is attractive because or the
inventive ingenuity displayed, but still more is
il inspiring because Of its manifestation of
benevolent spirit and of a growing regard Tor
the higher aims of civilization. IF not alto
cethpr unique. it is exceptional Exhibitions Of
money making devices have been plentiful
Nine-tenths of our industrial and commercial
displays have been primarily of that charac-
ter If they have contained devices of the
sort now shown. these have been merely Incl
dental \ positive step forward is denoted by
the organization Of an exhibition Of contri
vances not one Of which has the making Of
money for its primary object. but instead. the
physical welfare of the workingman.
The reproach has often been uttered that in
dustrial progress is effected on a Car of jug
gernaut. reckless of the number OF its VIC
tins We do not believe that is altogether just
The more primitive and less efficient industrial
processes of ages ago claimed their toll Of
human limb and life as TemOrselessly and prob
ably quite as largely as those of to-day. Hood
wrote The Song of the Shirt" before the In
vention OF the sewing machine. The reproach
for which there Is some ground, however, is
that invention and enterprise have not always
been directed toward the safety and welfare
Of the workers and of the public much as
saving devices are not for the saving of labor
per Sc but for the substitution OF cheaper ma
chine labor for coster human labor. The aim
is economy. rather than ease or sAfety. CON
trivance which would afford wOrkmen better
protection from injury or would make their
toll lighter and its conditions less irksome Is
not always so sure Of acceptance and adoption
as one which would lessen the cost of produc-
ton and thus increase the profits Of bust
ness. Note. for example. the stubborn Opposl-
ton. during many years which the streetcar
managers of this city made TO the placing
of vestibules or screens on the cars TO protect
the motormen in winter weather. They would
have been put every car years ago had they
promised the bringing of more nickels into the
till or a reduction of running expenses. But
as they would merely increase the comfort and
protect the health and lives of wOrkmen every
possible excuse even the most preposterous
was put forth TO delay their adoption.
If. then. modern industry is not to he re-
preached with increasing the toll Of human
limb and life, IL may TO q degree be reproac hed
for not materially decreasing it or for not still
more largely decreasing II. The progress OF
civilization should mean progress in the gen
eral welfare of humanity, and a raising Of all
the standards of human life. The discoveries
Of Jenner Simpson, Morton Lister Pasteur
and others are rightly accounted among the
greatest triumphs of modern science and In
vention, because of their effect in lessenfng
human suffering and saving life from the raw
ages of wounds and disease. A similarly crate
full regard should be given TO inventions which
lessen the discomfort and danger of industry,
of travel and of all the ordinary activities of
life. Efficiency in production, I'm profit making
and in speed has been pushed 70 a marvellous
degree. 1t will be well to catch up with II, at
least in efficiency for the protection of human
limb and life