The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-08
FACTORY CONDITIONS.
Labor Commissioner johnson Makes
an Interesting Report.

Labor Commissioner W. L. A. John
son, who was allowed a special assistant
for factory inspection by the last legis-
lature, has given out report of the
work of factory inspection under the
new plan for the first quarter, ending
September 80. Much interesting infor-
nation concerning child labor and fac
tory laws is given in this report 1t is
in part/as follows:
The total number of inspections made
during the three months was All. These
inspections were made in rs different
cities.
The total number of wage earners
whose safety of life and health were
protected by these inspections of dan
gerous machinery and sanitary condi-
tons was 1908, of which 11,721 were
males and 1877 were females. The num-
Der Of children employed between the
ages of IA and 16 years was 1S3-157
males and 26 females. The number of
certificates on file for those employed
were 81. The number of defective GER
tificates, such as statements from par
ents, relatives and friends as to age,
Is. The number of children found I'M
der IA years of age was five, three Of
these were provided with defective GER
tificates, thus in a measure relieving the
employer of the responsibility. Two
were found whose parents disputed the
enumeration records, hence on the ad-
vice of the county attorneys no convic-
tions could be secured. Total number
employed between the ages of IA and 81
years without cerIlHcdCeS, was 1f1. AL
of these were required to secure cert1h-
Gates from the proper school officer.
OF the ALI establishments the motive
power used was as follows: Steam. III;
electric, 125; gas, IS; water, .; gasoline
IL. OF the 212 steam users, 40 have reg
ular inspections of their boilers by the
Insurance companies. Forty-two are left
to the inspection of the engineer or fire
man. These inspections are made:
Quarterly, ISL; monthly, 5; semi-month-
ly, %; the remainder ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
Eighty-seven elevators were inspected,
81 of which were guarded by proper au-
tomato gates or doors on the floors
where elevators are used. -Four nun
dred and sixty-nine stairways were in
spected as to ratings and dangerous
conditions of stairwayS.
The total number of accidents report
ed for the year preceding the Inspection
was A. eight of which were fatal and "a
nonfatal. Doors to working establish
ments were found locked in ten cases:
These were required to be left unlocked
during working hours. insufficient
means of escape in case of fire were
found in two instances. Fire escapes
were found on 29 buildings three stories
and over. Either handle of automatic
Shutters were found for shifting belts
were found in 29O establishments, the re-
mainder being stationery belts. The
condition of betting, shafting, cog gear
ing and machinery was found properly
cased and guarded against accident in
1868 cases. Fifteen establishments re-
auiring recommendation notices in these
particular matters.
The work rooms were properly vent-
lated lighted and arrangements for
heating in 4O7 esta blishments. Suitable
toilet rooms or closets were provided In
1878 establishments. Separate toilet
rooms or closets were provided for fe-
males in 95 establishments, while rec
concentrations were made for such in ID
establishments. Separate dressing rooms
were provided in 46 establishments
where females were employed. A total
of SO recommendation notices We're Is
sued to establishments requiring
changes, alterations or compliance
with the factory laws. Sixty-four. no.
tees were to secure age certificates for
employees between the ages of IA and 1S
years. Thirty-four recommendation no.
tees were issued specifically on account
of safety appliances in the interest of
employees Thus it will be seen that in
nearly 25 per cent of the establishments
a recommendation notice was issued Of
some kind.
AS the child labor law gives jurisdic-
ton to the department over children be-
tween the ages of IA and 16 years, yet
it requires certificates for all children
employed, as it does not define when
child ceases to be child and the COM
missioner has held, on advice of the at
torney general, that certificates should
be required for all minors employed UP
to the age OF IS years at least in order
to cover doubtful cases where children
claim to be over 16 and are sometimes
permitted to work in and about danger
Gus machinery contrary to law.