New-York tribune., 1911-04-03
FIRE MASS MEETING
FOR PUBLIC ACTION
Demand Not Only Sufficient
Laws, Speakers Say, but Right
Men to Enforce Them.
LETTER FROM GOV. DIX READ
Philbin Presides, Schieffelin
Offers Resolutions and Bishop
Greer, Rabbi Wise and
Others Talk.

"A display Of anarchy-of administra.
tive impotence" was the description OF
the conditions that made possible the
Washington Place fire given by Pro-
fessor l.. r. A. Seligman at the mass
meeting called by the Women's Trades
Union League at the Metropolitan Opera
House Yesterday afternoon
Professor Seligman agreed with the
other speakers that the ultimate blame
for the disaster lay with the people and
the remedy in an aroused public senti-
ment that would demand sufficient laws
properly enforced, and said:
THE meaning Of this meeting. II I
understand IT. properly. Is to extend the
fire insurance premium on property TO
the fire insurance premium on life, but
above all. and finally. to come to dis
cussion Of administrative inefficiency. II
is well known that We are weltering in Q
chaos in this city with a display OF an-
archy-of administrative impotence.
I'VE are trying to run a business gov.
ernment and make 1t more than busi-
ness. What we need is the immediate
utilization of experts We lack collective
action I'm obtaining new laws not only
as regards spending money. but above
all in the Capitalization and concentra.
ton Of administrative authority.
do not be deluded by the fear OF mere
names. Let us not palter with situa.
ton that demands immediate action.
Then some good can come Of all this
trouble The Iroquois Theatre fire In
Chicago resulted in better protection in
our theatres, and the Slocum disaster
curson steamers. 1t is possible that this
latest catastrophe may result in the bet
ter protection Of the thousands Of women
and girls who must go out daily to earn
their bread in the factories of our city"
Not Laws Only Necessary.
Controller Prendergast in another way
presented the same views as had Pro-
fessor Seligman. and brought the situa
tion down 10 the practical question ~
the men who would administer the new
laws advocated, saying that he offered
few practical suggestions because hs
knew something about the practical sid
OF politics.
will the question he solved by hay
ing a few new laws passed which may
suggest better means for iirc protec-
tom" the Controller asked. Answering
his own question. he said: Il say no.
unless the laws are practical and have
behind them the impact of public senti-
ment. No, unless the laws are admin
istered by those who understand the
subject: unless the inspectors are ap-
pointed on the score of capablity, eX-
perience and knowledge Of the subject
and not because they furnish a means
of forwarding political plans or ambi-
tions.
I'VE have a startling example OF THIS
kind of thing before us to-day. Last
year the Legislature. at the behest or
humanitarian and social leaders. passed
law reconstructing the Court OF Spe-
cial Sessions. This made necessary new
probation officers. and Immediately the
question arose whether they should lie
appointed from competitive lists or De-
cause OF political influence. Up to this
time Influence has won.
"Who is going to execute our new
laws? Who will enforce and administe"
them? We have reached an era of char
ter revision-but / think we VIII live
through ii. 1t is suggested that tue
movers of the Fire Commissioner should
he increased and fire preventive work
be put under his charge. thus MAKING
more burdensome the work of an ofhciat
carrying already all the responsiveness
one man should have. The FIRE COM
missioner has done mighty well, bur you
nropose To double his responsibilities. -
that practical? VIII that work well?
Urges Special Department.
"J would recommend. no matter whao
II cost. the organization OF new DEPART
ment or responsible commission 10 STUDY.
life protection and fire prevention, ana
give tncm tUe ClldtS' hii" ''N "F
bility. but not put 1t on one man VINO
will have to say, why, l depended on
So-and- So.
"One life is worth more than all ,he
budgets. but this reminds me TO oHer
YOU one more practical suggestion
When the budget is increased 10 give YOU
fire protection, don't complain. Don't
talk about the tax rate. Don't mind the
valuation of your property. You can't
undertake all the duties of our advanced
civilization without spending great sums
of money. But | would rather see the
money spent on saving life than Oh pro-
viding places for the friends al poll
ticidns."
Controller Prendergast said that while
he was not specifically delegated To do
so. he was sure that he WAS not saying
too much when he pledged to the meet-
ing the cooperation of the Board oi
Estimate I'm their endeaNors 10 safeguard
the workers of the city.
one other practical suggestion that
took somewha' OF the form of threat
WAS made before the resolutions were
adopted. Peter Brady. secretary OF the