Norwich bulletin., 1911-04-20

SENATOR sPELLAcY ADVOCATES
a SPECIAL COMMITTEES
REVELATIONS PROMISED
Labor Leader Declares Astounding
Disclosures Will Be Made Regard
ing Conditions in Connecticut.

l4lt4oEd, CONN., "A pfl 1J.--One OF
the 1iveliest hearings before the labor
committee during this session of the
general assembly was that held today
on Senator Spellacy's bill which calls
for a special committee to investigate
conditions of labor IN mercantile es-
tablishmants. Senator Spellacy spoke
twice, the latter time showing excite
ment when he referred to the lady
garment workers. strike now on in this
city. -t@.
Strikers Not Fairly Treated.
He declared that the strikers had
not been fairly treated by the prosecut-
ing attorney nor in the. police court
ALI OF the department store prOprie-
tors Of this city and several from other
quentIy interrupted and Piled with
questions and at times bitterness OF
feeling was manifested between those
who favored and opposed the resolu-
ton.
Lives Sacrificed on Altar Of CONNER
ciaIisn,-
I'VE. were ilorrified over the great
loss of life in New Y York recently, .
said Senator Spellacy. Those lives
were sacrificed on the altar of COM
mercia1ism. 1t wasztIlat horror that
prompted me to draft the resolution
before you. know of a workshop on
the third floor of a. department store
in this city where number of girls
are employed. The insurance rate is
1922 per hundred on that building. The
rate shows that the insurance company
regards 1t a hazardous risk.
Dangerous Conditions in Connecticut
T believe there are dangerous and
unaanitary conditions in mercantile
establishments in Connecticut. If con-
dktions are all right, the Investigation
VIII reveal that fact. If they are
WRONG, it is high time to remedy them
There. are girls who win tell a COM
nittee many things that they would
hesitate to mention hefe.''
Girl Pointed Out
While telling Of the long hours that
some minor girls work in Hartford de-
partment- stores, Senator Spellacy was
interrupted and asked who they are.
Theses one" he Asaid, pointing to
a corner of the ROOM.
What's your name?" asked one OF
the preprietors.
Don't give your, name and be black
listed" said Peter O'Hearn, legisla-
tive worker for railroad men.
Where did you work ?'' was asked.
81 AT FNoxs she answered.
Rev. & Il. Potter Offers Substitute.
Rev. Rockwell Harmon Potter, pastor
of the Center Congregational church
representing the Consumers league Of
fered the following substitute for the
Spellacy resolution:
Text Of the Resolution.
The labor committee is hereby au-
thorized to appoint an Industrial COM
mission of five persons to investigate
the conditions of wage earning women
in the state of Connecticut who are
employed in manufacturing. mercan-
tile, contracting and public utility es-
Adjustments, as to age, physical con-
ditiOn, hours of employment, home
work. wages, ,responsi Utilities and COM
petition with men, and to report its
finding and recommendations to the
general assembly of 1913. A sum not
to exceed $1,000 per annum may be
drawn from the state treasury by said
industrial commission to pay the sal
ary of a secretary and the sum of $500
shall be appropriated by the state to
defray the cost of. travelling expenses y
May Learn Surprising Things.
Sol Sontheimer ofsthe Hartford La
Dor union said: Why shouldn't we
have the right to ask for and be grant
ed an Investigation by committee
having the power to subpoena wit
nesses? If the committee is raised you
will hear disclosures that will astound
you not only OF conditions in Hartford
but elsewhere in the state. If YOU
create this commission and protect
witnesses you will learn surprising
things"
Ralph Wells, attorney for the State
Business Mems association, said there
is no objection to- an investigation If
it isn't brought merely to strengthen
the strike situation.