The independent-reporter., 1910-07-21
N A|NE INDUSTRIES
To Be TAbULATED
Accident Problem Calls
For Investigation
Valuable Compilation of Statistics
Being Undertaken by COm'r Lyons.

The United States census enumer-
ators have collected information
which will enable the census bureau
at Washington to give figures show
ing the extent of the various indus
tries of this State, but no provision
is made for a detailed statement of
the various establishments which go
to make up the totals. While these
figures have a value, detailed state
ment was deemed by Hon. Thomas
]. Lyons, commissioner of industrial
and labor statistics. to have an even
greater value. Consequently. the de
partment is at present engaged in
gathering data which will enable Mr.
Lyons to give such statement in his
next annual report.
The tabulaton will contain every
industry in Maine which gives en-
ployment. from that which occupies
the attention of a single individual to
the huge establishments with thous-
ands on the payroll. They will be
separated and tabulated according to
towns, so that person from without
the State who desires to obtain in
formation concerning the industries
of any particular town can do so
with the least possible trouble.
The amount of money invested in
each industry will give some idea of
the richness of this State from
an industrial standpoint as we'll as
show the true extent of the various
plants. The number of men, wo-
men and children regularly employed
will be of interest to other manu-
facturers desiring to locate in Maine,
for it will give an idea of the distri-
button of efficient skilled operatives
and mechanics among the various
towns. There has long been a de-
mand for that sort of information,
but heretofore there has been no way
of obtaining it for more than one or
two towns at a time, and even then,
Il
Maine is one of the richest states
in the union in manufacturing and
opportunities for the establishment OF
manufacturing plants. Investors
from other states are continually
making inquiries at all possible
sources of information for ac-
curate data concerning the State re-
sources These include not only in
quiries as to the undeveloped natural
resources, but the ability of the IN
dustries of the State to furnish GER
tain lines and classes of products, es-
pecially manufactured goods. The la
Dor department receives hundreds of
these letters every day.
The department will also include
in its report brief histories of the
principal industries in order that
their growth may be known. Most OF
the industries have developed along
normal lines, have been devoid of eX-
cessive boom periods and have es-
tablished so firm a foundation that
their future is assured. 1t is with
such firms that business men like
to deal. Illustrations showing exam
plies of the greater industrial es-
Establishments will also add much to
this section of the report.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN
MAINE.
The labor department is also en-
gagged in investigating the industrial
accident problem in Maine. There
are no laws governing the protection
of machinery in this State, at the
present time, and there is a feeling
that in consequence the number OF
accidents to men. women and children
working on or about moving machin'
cry is much larger than 1t should be
Newspaper clippings gathered from
Maine papers, by the department
show that Ga persons were killed OF
injured by wood working machinery
during the year which ended April |
1910 This class of accidents include
portable wood saving machines, cir
cular saws, band saws, planers Of
various kinds, molders, and nearly
all other varieties of machines used
on wood The pulp and paper in
dustries claimed 21 victims, in the
same period of whom there were
killed These casualties do not in
Cluuc lIltH luJhltd NY ldiliii6 pump
wood paper rolls and cars in mil
yards. Machinery used in textile
mills manned Is, several of whom
were women. Elevators, by falling
exposed gears, abrasions or crushing
injured IL individuals and killed
three. Both freight and passenger
elevators figured in the items.
The injuries of one iron and stee
worker came to The attention of the
department through the newspaper
but the following paragraph is con,
sidered significant:
THE physician who is constantly
at the works of the company, etc.
Evidently there are other accidents
which do not find their way into print
Rapidly revolving shafting, belts
set screws, couplings, etc, found "a
victims during the year, IL of whom
died. These accidents were dstrib-
uted through all industries, but are
not duplicated in any of those enum-
Grated. Electric power plants and
works killed two and manned four
others. Linemen and others engaged
in work outside the power plants
were not included. The accidents re-
ferred to occurred in power stations
or from electric power used to drive
other machinery.
Printing presses, paper cutters and