New-York tribune., 1911-11-17
FOR SAFETY IN FACTORIES.
! 3. SChram, of Civic Fedora
tion, Suggests State inspectors.
SAYS PAY IS TOO SMALL
Tells Legislative Committee
Present System Is Inadequate
and Causes Distrust.

1o,ds 3. Schram. president OF the New
1,~r civic Federation. was the principal
-s.,ass Yesterday at the inquiry that is
sling held by the Factory Investigating
committee OF the Legislature. The gist of
a, schram's testimony was that the pres
-, system Of factory inspection was in
adom,ate. especially as regarded the mat
-, Of safety devices. All factories in his
or,nion. should be inspected once each
,oop,h and there should be a state board of
inspection He said:
f,der the present system of inspection
~, the various boards the work is not car
--sd on with any degree OF regularity. De-
ns.troents are bound 20 overlap each other.
and as a result little is Omplished. The
SsIaries paid the inspectors are not suf-
reient 20 attract men possessed OF expert
A'0hIi Relieve that one of the most practical
usvs 10 prevent accidents is TO have ex-
pert inspectors make systematic reports
~ sverv accident taking place in indus
,riaI nlants. These reports should be care
s,llv IA buiated. and as a result une simple
,ssk Of prevention would prove a safe
guard IN the problem Of protecting human
H. II Is a fact that the lack OF cO-Opera-
.ion on the part Of the employer with
The ordinary work of inspection Is due 10
. feeling OF distrust on the part OF the
former He is under the impression that
order 10 pick flaws and make trouble.
am In favor OF establishing a state
,,,isellr7 Of safety along the lines OF the
American Museum OF Safety now conducted
= Nm York city bv the Society of Me-
rbLnical Engineers BY means OF actual
observation Of the workings of safety de-
vices the task Of educating owners OF man
tiscturing plants would be greatly lessened
In addition 70 exhibits showing the work
ines of safety devices. these museums
should plan for regular courses OF lectures
for employers and employees.
4 practical demonstration Of the strides
thst have been made in recent years in the
vay OF introduction Of such appliances was
then given by Dr. William H. Tolman, di-
rector Of the American Museum Of Safety
who used stereopticon views for the pur-
nose Dr Tolman told the committee his
pictures would prove that the majority of
the safety devices now in use were simple
IN construction and Of comparatively small
cost. IN addition TO the saving Of lives
he said. these devices had saved the en-
ployers thousands of dollars in the matter
OF damages avoided for physical injuries.
Charles Kirchof. ice-president of the
American Museum Of Safety. next took the
stand and testified along the same lines
as DIT Tolman. He advocated the estab-
ushment Of a museum Of safety with state
aid for the instruction Of employers and
employees Of industrial plants as well as
tbe public in general
Alfred D. r Hamlin. head director of
The school Of Architecture at Columbia
University. said the architecture Of the
modern loft buildings would have TO re-
c,ive careful consideration in the study OF
accident prevention and the use of safety
devices.
Alfred r. Conking. who explained that
he was the owner of several factories said
he believed smoking In factories should be
Prohibited By law, as he regarded this prae-
tee as one of the gravest causes Of dan
SET by fire =,
Dr. Gilman Thompson. OF the Cornell
Medical College furnished long array OF
statistics on occupational poisoning ia in
dgstrial pursuits He testified that &S
cases OF acute and chronic lead poisoning
had come 10 his notice in Bellevue
The committee viii resume its sessions
this morning.