The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-18
President Of N ation al
Laundry Association
Sounds Warning.
TWO THOUSAND
AT CONVENTION
Work Of Session Begins Right
After Cordial Welcome by
Mayor-Expert Tells How
Laundry People Suffer Be-
cause of Fault OF Others.
Program To-Day.

Sounding warning against the
menace of iil-advised legislation TO
modern industry, while referring par
facularly to the tendency of legisla-
lures TO enact laws damaging to the
better Interests of the laundry busi-
ness. e. s. Purdy, of Jersey City. N. j..
yesterday presented his annual report
as president to the twenty seventh an
nual convention OF the Laundrymen's
National Association OF America.
Describing 1t as danger which has
arisen In the last several years, Presi-
dent Purdy deplored the tendency OF
legislatures to impose restrictions
about the operation of the laundry by
passing laws limiting the ages OF laun-
dry employees. prescribing the number
OF working hours, the restriction OF
machinery, regulations of hygiene and
general working conditions In laun-
dries and other places of female en-
ployment. This feature OF the presi-
dents report, however, was not based
upon his opposition to sane legislation
whicn has its object the general be-
ter1nent of conditions. He referred
more directly to measures brought
about by radical minds; his warning
was against legislation without object
or purpose. which cannot but work
harm.
Some Legislation Wholesome.
He said: .It is but safe to say that
while some legislation is entirely
wholesome and proper, there is. never
theless. considerable danger that such
legislative enactments will at times
go beyond their original intentions.
Ill advised legislation will result to
the detHiment and financial injury of
every industry concerned"
Continuing, he pointed out the great
need for campaign of education to
help the general public TO a proper un-
derstanding of the modern steam laun-
dry business. In this connection he
said:
we arc all aware of the remarkable
lack OF knowledge on the part OF the
people and also on the part of the
press, whether Intentionally or not,
concerning the real status of the
steam laundry OF the present time and
the great improvements which have
been made In the laundry business. He
pointed out that such lack of under
standing results in disncltnation to
patroniZe the laundry business; in the
lack OF discrimination between sani
tary and unsantary conditions, and In
tho public blaming the laundercr for
things over which he has no control.
If the proper knowledge could he con-
yeyed to the public" said President
Purdy. lit is logical to say that laun-
dries would be more generally patron
1zed. filthy and unsanitary washeries
could no longer compete, and, to use
the expression of a brother from Con-
necticut. the iniquities of the manu-
facturer would no longer he visited
upon the laundryman.'
Biggest Ever Held.
Outnumbering In attendance any
similar gathering ever held here, the
morning in the auditorium of the JEFF
ferson Hotel at few minutes after 10
o'clock. Every available inch of. space
on the main floor and in the galleries
was taken by the delegates and visi-
tors Occupying seats of honor near
the front We're several hundred women.
In opening the convention the presi-t
dent gave a brief history Of the asso-
citation from its Organization in Chica-
30 more than quarter OF century
ago to the present time. He pointed
out that while the greater number OF
the charter members had passed out,
some few remained and were present
at the convention. His remarks We're
followed by the opening prayer by DR..
u N. Calsch, and then Mayor Richard
son was introduced.
In characteristic manner the Mayor
welcomed the visitors to the city,
speaking in a particularly happy vein.
He told them of Richmond. pointing
out Its many advantages. dwelling at
length on its great historic interest.
AT the close of his remarks there was
nm outbu-st of applause. which lasted
three minutes.
Mayor ns an Aviator.
Responding on behalf of the assoca-
tion. Maurice G, Long, Sbf Norfolk, said
that Of all the cities in which the asso-
citation had met Richmond possessed
an unusual charm. He referred to the
city as typifying the prosress o. the
New South. Mr.. Long also referred
perience as an aviator, creating cnn-
siderable laughter. Following the an
nouncement ofrthe amusement program
by Mordecai b. Florskeim. chairman
of the local committee, recess of If
teen minutes was taken to allow the
visitors to retire from the room.
On special motion the reading Of the
minutes was dispensed with. and tho
president proceed to name special
and regular committees, after which
he presented his report, Reviewing
the past year, he said:
General laundry conditions, based
upon the observation, have been above
the average, but We're at times rcharac-
tertzed by unusual fluctuations. Steady
prices on the whole have been main
tained. and some slight advances in
certain localities, especially on collars
and household linen. but unfortunately
IT should also be ncted that breaks
have occurred In Others"
Committees Appointed.
Committees appointed at, the morn
Ing session were as follows:
Committee on Resolutions-Jam mes A.
Beattie, OF New York (chairman);
Henry II. Runkel. Illinois; ]. r. White,
Indiana; i. B. Moran, Oonnecticut; d.
j, Weld. Alabama.
Committee on Finance-Henry w.
J, stoer. Ohio (chairman); Q, A. Wheel,
or, Texas; r. D. Blakely, New Jersey;
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