The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-02-21
sArETi' RtLES ron BUILDINGS.
Wainwright Commission Hears Sugges.
tions as to amending the Present Law.

tiOns as 10 amending the Present Law.
The Wainwright Commis sion on En-
ployers' Liability. Ca,isr and Prev ention
Of Industrial Accidents. Unemployment
and Lack Of Farm Labor gave a hog"i''-
yesterday at the Metropolitan Life Pui'i-
ing at which suggestions were madr TO-
legislation AT Albany to insure greater
safety TO workers on buildings and in
factories than at present The commits
sion includes Senator J. VI. WairwtiCht
who presided in the forenoon yesterday;
Prof Henry u. Seager Of Columbia Uni
versty. ex- x-Assemblyman George A. Noos,
George W. Smith and Senator Frank &.
Plat. Senator Wainwright after the
forenoon session went to Albany and
Prof. Seager presided in the afternoon.
Most Of the discussion was in reference
to safety on buildings in cou. Sc OF cree
ton. Some Of the labor men pres mt
held thet the present law was easily
evaded Walter G.. Cowles. representing
the Travellers Insurance Company, made
suggestion that seemed to find favor
with the labor men. He said that the
insurance companies had ta"it agree
ment. which they had no legal means ot
enforcing, by which contractors who
violated the rules of safety in the build
| ing of houses. tunnels and other under
takings we're not allowed to take out
insurance. He was in favor of law
which made this provision generally en-
| forcoble, with the cooperation of tn"
labo~ department.
! state Labor Commissioners Williams
made a Suggestion to the effect that legis-
| lation he sought to increase the fines
for violating the laws of safety on build
inCs in course Of erection
so far - factory inspection and the
penalties for violation of the factory
! law are concerned" he said. they are
| in my opinion adequate. but l do not
! believe the laws are adequate in respect
Of safety on buildings. The present
minimum penalty | believe is $25 and the
ma ximum penalty is S2m. | believe
the minimum penalty should be $500
and the ma xim,Im at least 81 900. with an
alternative of imprisonment III hagrant
cases"
John Snyder. representing the bridge
and structural ironworkers. said that there
had been ZIG serious accidents to men
in his trade in the last twelve months.
many of them members Of his union.
which has n membership of ,2so. There
was tendency, ne shlu, 70 ih|e iis"ii''-
ent planking between the floor beams
when tall buildings were being put up.
and he approved of a plan adopted Tor the
New York Central Railroad which CON
sisted in having safety nets below the
floor beams.
Thomas j. Curtis. president Of the
International Tunnel and Subway Con
structors Union, n representative OF the
iron moulders' union and others made
suggestion to provide more safeguards
in foundries and in the building cf tun-
nels and houses.
The committee concluded its sessions
here last evening. 1t will hold a hetring
in Buffalo on Friday. in Rochester on
Saturday and in Utica on Monday. When
all the hearings are over the commission
will take up all the suggestions With a
view to recommending legislation bas sed
on such of them as are considered prac-
tica BILE