The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-17
PROTECTION FOR woRKMEN.

In the current number of the Engi-
neering Magazine, Mr.. Herbert T.
Wade describes a movement in Europe
OF which little has heretofore been
heard and to which attention might be
probably devoted in this country.
There. it seems. government supervis-
lon of Industrial conditions, especially
SO far as dangerous trades or occupa-
lions are concerned, is far more strict
than it Is on this side Of the water.
While the subject of safeguarding in
dustrial workers presents many as
poets. ranging from the financial inter-
ests involved in the greater or less la
bility of the employer to the altruistic
point of view of the humanitarian, it
has not been ignored and, according TO
the authority mentioned. 1t is possible
to deal with it successfully.
A so-caIled museum for safety de-
vices which is supported by the gov
eminent has been found to exert a de-
cided influence for Industrial better
ment and has proved to be entirely
practicable. In this institution the
conditions under which all perilous
callings are carried on are clearly
shown. An inventor or manufacturer,
realizing that he has something that
may cut down the risk in one or more
respects, submits his device to the
museum, where 1t is passed upon by a
technical commission so that before it
is accepted it is pronounced valuable
Once decision in its favor has been
rendered 1t is exhibited for the bene-
fit of all, employer and employee, engi-
neer and student, government inspec-
tor and legislator. Thus the employer
convinced that any contrivance will di-
minish the liability for which he may
be held and which. if it does not In
volve direct indemnity payment, may
mean the loss of a skilled workman. is
led to consider from an economic
standpoint if it's introduction may not be
a good investment. The employee, too,
recognizing it's adaptability to his par
ticular work may endeavor to secure
it's use. The government, moreover,
has an opportunity of knowing and
testing just what devices are available
and is, therefore, enabled to proceed
intelligently when regulations are pro-
mulgated.
Whether or not the adoption of all
these safeguards which are passed on
favorably by the government is compul-
sorry. Mr.. Wade does not state, but there
is reason to believe, surely, that even
reason to believe. surely, that even
in the absence Of any law there would
be general resort to them. Presuma-
bly, in tort cases. where heavy dam
ages are frequently recovered, failure
on the part of the defendant to take
every reasonable precaution would
count against him. In any event, this
movement which has been undertaken
for the purpose of protecting life and
limb has passed the experimental stage
in the old world and, as remarked, its
success would appear to warrant the
assumption that the example which has
been set might be followed to advan-
tage in the United States.
A step along this line has been made
in the act of congress giving the in
terstate commerce commission super
vision over tests Of safety appliances
for railroads. And perhaps it is not
too much to expect that the same sup
ervision over safety devices for the
employees of all Industries will soon be
undertaken by this government