New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-10
FIRE PROTECTION NEARER
Dix and Legislative Leaders
Promise an Investigation.
NEW LAWS TO FOLLOW
Committee of Safety to Suggest
Desirable Men for Comnls-
sion to the Governor.

Members OF the Committee on Safety ana
representatives Of the Fifth Avenue Asso-
citation and other organizations VINO went
N A,hanv 70 present the case OF the work
ers. now publicly and privately neglected.
IN respect 10 adequate protection against
fire returned Yesterday we'll pleased with
,-ha. ,bs,, had accomplished. Dr. Charles
II Keves. executive secretary of the COM
nlittee on Safety. said Governor DiA a4iu
the majority and minority leaders in both
the Senate and Assembly hao heartiy ap
nroved OF the appointment OF a legislative
commission TO investigate nre conui'iois IL
this and other cities in the STATE as SUE
gested by the committee
The original suggestion IN Inc 11oune
that a legislative commission could most
readily get at the real conditions ana oe-
fermine proper legislation TO remedy 'hein'
and the presentation OF expert opinion III
the columns Of The Tribune that unoer
any circumstances IL would be pracucaIly
impossible 10 empty a loft or factory ouiiu-
ing in case OF fire because OF ths present
excessive number OF workers employeu on
each floor, were strong factors, 1t was salu'
in bringing about the determination Oh the
Committee on Safety and their friends 10
go 20 Albany and seek such an investisa-
ton.
NO apparent opposition 10 the resolution
introduced last night in the Legislature
calling for the appointment Of commits
sion as we suggested has developed, said
DIR. Keyes yesterday. and the resolution
will undoubtedly be adopted in short order
hy both branches OF the Legislature We
have assurances from Governor Dix and
the leaders in the Senate and Assembly
that the men appointed TO the commission
will be Of the highest class. Such com
,,,ssion with the power 10 subpoena and
exar1ire witnesses. sitting here and In
o,ber cities. will surely bring out all the
foc,s In regard TO present intolerable con-
d,,,ons and the ineficiency of present laws
- ,ro,ec+ the workers. II will not be long
before we get proper legislation and ade-
ouate fire prevention in the loft buildings
and factories
The proposed commission will consist of
two. members from the Senate. three from
the Assembly and four citizens. the citizens
70 be APPOINTED by the Governor. The Com
rnirtee on Safety expects to hold meeting
this week 70 consider the names Of some
Of the men it considers most desirable 10
serve on the commission, and these names
will he sent 20 Governor Dix.
Joseph s Auerhach. who represented the
Fifth Avenue Association at Albany Mon
dav. said yesterday that thorough in
visitation Of the whole subject by legis-
lative commission was bound 10 come, and
that it would be productive Of incalculable
good.
we will get some laws in this way he
said. that can and will be enforced and
Will place the responsibility squarely on the
shoulders Of the proper city officials. They
talk about the Board OF Health being auto
cratic in its enforcement Of its rules, but
what we need IN this instance IS an
oligarchy OF a despotism where the remedy
can be applied summary and with irrev-
ocable authority. The unsafe and unsanl-
tarv conditions which now exist in Factory
and loft buildings are horrible, when we
stop 10 think Of it, The practicable reform
which has now been started cannot be &C
complished too soon"