Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-04-06
Blaine for New York s Fire Hor-
ror Generously Put on Whole
Community.
IT is NOT The ACTION OF GOD
Rabbi Wise Declares Inaction Of
Man Responsible and Guilt
Is Magnified because So
Many Women Died.

New York. April 2-Protest against con-
ditions which made possible such a dis
aster as occurred in Washington place
factory March % assumed to-day the
proportions of one OF the largest civic
indignation meetings ever held in New
York. A throng which filled the Met
ropolitan opera house to the topmost bal
cony appauded structures upon laxity
IN civic duty, and when 1t came to the
point of resolutions the great gather
ing generously put the blame upon the
whole community
The speakers included many we'll
known men. Jacob II. Schiff treasurer
of the Red Cross fund, announced that
he had received over $1,000 to relieve
the relatives OF the IA victims OF the
fire. The contributions were not prompt
cd altogether by generosity, he asserted
but rather by a stricken conscience over
neglect that permitted s,Ch conditions in
factories
1T ia not the action of God" Rabbi
stephen a. Wise declared, but the i.l-
action Of man that is responsible
see in this no deed of God but tho greed
Of man"
1T behooves u.s." he continued in re-
ference to the protection Of working
women, Ito remember that ours is not
a government Of men and for men, but
government OF children first. for women
next and for men. makers Of laws. last.
Our guilt is immeasureably magnifled be-
cause women. in the main. were victims
Of this disaster"
REAL BLAME ON COMMUNITY.
2ic1,n
man OF Columbia University and n num-
Der of others spoke along similar lines,
less in blame of city officials work of
fire inspection than of the community 8
failure to see that the laws were enforced
The resolutions with which the meet
ing was concluded called upon the city
to exercise Immediately all the powers
under the building code ito require that
all factory and loft buildings be pu,
| into safe condition and to make an ade-
| quate increase in the number of inspec-
| tors. invoking If necessary the pre-emp-
| tory power of the board Of health" It
was also resolved that the mayor he asked
| to call a conference on fire prevention
! extending Invitations to mayors, fire
| chiefs and fire experts throughout the
| country.
| Governor Dix could not be present. In
letter which was read, he said, how
ever that he took a keen personal in
| terest in the meeting. ut is my purpose "
he wrote ito ascertain if the State de-
partments are in any way negligent OF
| their full duty. and I assure you that
| my cooperation will be enlisted"
| Miss Anne Morgan, daughter of j. p
Morgan, raised a fund to defray the
cost OF renting tho opera house for to-
nights meeting, Mrs O. II. p. Bclmon,
was among many well-known women
present.
TEN THOUSAND SYMPATHIZERS.
Ten thousand persons tried to GROVE
into Grand Central Palace to-day to at.
| tend memorial services held by the Cloak
and Skirt Makers union for victims OF
the Washington place fire. BY the time
half the throng was admitted the police
cut off further entrance in fear thai
the great crowd might he stirred I,
panic.
Speeches were made in English. Italian
and Iiddish, and many leaders declared
in favor of a strike If conditions in tn
| factories were not promptly remedied
| on the platforms were three interrogatio,
points five feet high, fashioned In crepe
1t was only by forbidding the slightes
| demonstration and the presence of a larg
force OF police to enforce the rule tina
| hysteria was confined to one or tw
| women.
Former Mayor Low made public II let
ter to Borough President McAneny to
| night, suggesting that It be made n pun
| shable offense for an insurance compan.
to issue a policy on any building or 1t
contents unless there Is absolute protec
ton for its occupants.