New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-09
HEARING Before tho Governor.

Governor Dix gave a hearing in the
morning 10 a delegation from New York
made VI of members OF the Fifth Avenue
Association and the New York Committee
on Safety In the delegation were Joseph
6 Auerbach lawyer. Of Davies. Stone ~
Arerbach: G. Grant La Fargo. architect
and president OF the New York Chapter Of
the American Institute % Architects; w.
NJ Kendall. Of McKim. Mead & White;
Reginald p Bolton. construction engineer;
Robert Grier Cooke president Of the Fifth
Avenue Association; Charles H. Keyes. OK
ecutive secretary of the New York Com
nittee on Safety: Peter J. Brady. vice
president OF the Committee on Safety and
secretary Of tho Allied Printing Trades
Council Of Greater New York: the Rev. Or.
Percy S,ickney Grant. pastor Of the Church
Of the Ascension II. +. Porter, industrial
engineer: George T. Mortimer. president of
the United States Realty and Improve
ment Committee. and Arnold ". Drummer.
past president of the New York Chapter
of the American Institute Of Architects.
Mr. Auerbach. after outlining existing
and prospective future conditions in rela-
ton 10 the safety and health Of the hum
York manufacturing establishments, said
that many buildings erected as lofts under
tho laws governing such construction were
almost Immediately occupied for manufac-
turing without compliance with the laws
that apply TO such additionally hazardous
occupancy and therefore became death
traps He pointed out that under present
conditions there were four city and state
officials who were partly responsible and
stated that not one Of the four had power
10 effectively remedy matters.
Mr. Auerhach in behalf OF the delegation.
which he explained represented all kinds
OF interests, organized labor and men and
women OF proved public spirit, asked the
Governor TO appoint a legislative commits
sion TO investigate thoroughly with vide
scope and power and 10 report remedial
legislat ion. In making the request, MI.
Auerbach stated that the persons behind
n realized that number of good bills had
already been introduced or were in prep
aration. but they also believed that the only
way 10 get ~ the root of things and pro-
duce the desired beneficial results was
through q legislative commission, with
proper power.
Letter from R. s. Cuttinc.
Mr. Auerbach then read the following let
ter from Robert Fulton Cutting. vice
president Of the New York Committee on
Safety:
I can hardly exaggerate the importance
4 the appointment by Governor Dix OF an
investigating committee 10 inquire into the
conditions under which manufacturing is
conducted in the cities OF the first and sec
ond classes In this state
IL must not be treated superfcialIv or
IA ssionately, and the proposed investlga-
ton should prove OF immeasurabe benefit
20 the vast body OF operatives and To the
p FULTON CUTTING
Mr. Keyes was the next speaker. He said
II was generally acknowledged that lsete
lation was needed. that, owing 10 the com
pleXity OF the situation. there was an hon
est difference Of opinion as TO what kind
would he best, and that legislative in
vestigation was needed 10 provide the in
telligent grasp Of the situation necessary
for the formulation Of wise LEGISLATION
The Rev. Percy stickney Grant pointed TO
the beneficial results OF the creation Of the
Tenement House Commission by The Iesis
leture and used that as an argument in
favor OF the investigation sought
Henry l.. Stimsons Letter.
Mr.. Keyes their read the following letter
from Henry l.. stimson chairman OF the
New York Committee on Safety:
-. May 5. 1911
Hon John A. Dix. Executive Chamber
Albany n. Y
MY pear Governor DIX: As chairman OF
wv soiIliitttee on safety. | am deeply inter
ested In the proposal for a leglsIative ~.
vestgation of factory conditions I'm New
YORK CITY. The Committee on Safety As
an ou,sro"tn or the mass meeting held In
New YORK CITY after the recent disastrous
pre- m t,ie Aseh building Its board Of di-
Gems OF all classes OF the community and
II now constitutes a permanent organlza-