The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-18

sanitary lerisIation. The sanitary Of
the laundry 10 regarded as most es-
sentiai and every man In the busi-
ness feels that inspections along this
line are not only warranted. but well
coined.
Desnasd New Law.
I4aundrymen attending the conyen-
ton say that there Is general demand
for the enactment OF q law regulating
the textile industry along the lines
Of the pure foodlaws. A recently made
Investigation proved that goods
stamped and sold as pure linen con-
tatred only cotton. Silk and WOODEN
goods WERE als0 found to be In the
same condition. A law exists in the
State Of New York that makes II per-
Missile to mark and sell collars as
''aM linen or pure linen" II they
contain only one ply or thickness o.
linen. II Is generally admitted that
there Is no industry by which the
public IL 80 much hpmbu8ged as BY
the textile industry, and the sins 1T
the manufacturers the launderers
have to suffer, the latter claim: II
goods arc fifmEy, adulterated or poor
" made. II colors are not fast and the
goods unable to stand the most care
full handling. 1t IL the launderer who
~ blamed.
says lrIccs Are Steady.
Several interesting phases Of the
laundry situation were covered by
President Edwin s. purdy In his an
nuai address at the opening session OF
the Richmond convention. Among
these was the question OF prices.
Steady prices on the whole have
been maintained" he said, and some
slight advances In certain localities.
especially on collars and household
linen Unfortunately. however, it
should be noted that breaks have oc-
CURED In some localities. II is gen.
orally conceded that laundry expenses
are steadily rising and are materially
affecting the profits Of our business.
As an association, we are precluded
from entering into any proposition
establishing prices 70 be charged for
laundry work. State associations are
Similarly situated. and the matter can
best be handled by local associations.
il is, however. within the scope of the
national association as an educational
factor 10 impress upon our members
the fact that prices for laundry work
must he rigidly In accord with the
principles of the cost Of production.
The launderer who II thoroughly IA
mfliar with the cost Ct production and
proper prices for his work should bear
In nina thar, in educating his brother
who is not 50 well informed. he will
ultimately derive just as much benefit
from this educational campaign AZ
those for whom the effort was made
primarily
Sounds Note Of Caution.
Another important point upon which
President Purdy touched was the
question OF legislation. II il but safe
to say that, while some OF this iegisia-
tian affecting the laundry is entirely
Wholesome and proper In the interest
OF the general health, he declared. there
In nevertheless considerable danger
that such legislative enactments win
at times go beyond their original in
tentions. Ili-advised legislation, he In
sisted. would result to the detriment
and financial injury of every industry
concerned.
There II but one way 10 protect
ourselves against such adverse legisia-
tion.a he said. .'and that IL by concert
ed and united action on the part OF the
laundrymen within each particular
few examples OF the truth OF this
statement. for laundrymen Of the
States Of Illinois, New York. Ohio and
perhaps q few others have in that
manner been able to prevent unrea-
sonAble and Injurious legislation In
those respective States.
II II were for no other reason than
to b. ready for such m emergency. l
am Of the opinion that every laundry
man belonging to State association
would be we'll repaid by the protection
thus afforded to his financial inter-
ests. !.
9ere0s fer Publicity.
President Purtly came out clear and
strong In favor Of greater publicity for
the laundrymcn. In this connection he
said:
ITO correct and mold public opin-
Ion. publicity upon larger scale must
be reS0rtAd 10. The men who COM
pose this association may be truthfuily
classed among the progressive. up-to-
date followers Of our craft, ever ready