The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-08
WILL OFFER BILLS
TO PROTECT LIFE
Doherty Plans Legislation to
Guard Working People
From Danger.
APPLIANCES ARE SIMPLE
At Little Cost, Many Accidents
Can Be Prevented in Vir-
ginia Factories.
APPLIANCES ARE SIMPLE

Bills designed for the protection Of
employees who are engaged at work
around dangerous pieces of machinery
daily employment. will be framed and
offered to the next Legislature by
state Labor Commissioner James b.
Doherty. This announcement was
made yesterday by Mr. Doherty. who
has been studying the subject for some
time. and has his ideas clearly de-
tined.
These measures will be SPECIFIC.
making clear each point which it is
fnds that the most simple eXpedients.
at nominal cost. VIII protec, the lives
and limbs OF working people. and at
the same time prove in the long run
Il profitable Investment for the en-
pioyers themselves
Employers Would Cooperate.
The great majority Of those who
employ the labor OF others. in tho
opinion OF Mr.. Doherty, FULLY desire
to protect the men II for no, other
reason. this would be true from tho
standpoint Of expense. for one law
suit would entail more cost in many
cases than would the equipment Of an
entire factory with protective appli-
ances.
AS an instance. the commissioner
would have all shops where circular
saws are used equipped with guards
Ine appliance is simple wooden af-
fair. suspended from above, and cost
Ing perhaps two dollars. making il
Impossible that the hand of the opera
tor could be drawn into the saw. or
that his leg could be cut off below.
The same protection would apply TO
emery wheels. so that II the saw or
wheel should. break. as often hap
pens. the guard would stop the dan
Herous loose part and save the work
mans life.
set screws are another point where
such methods would be used. They
are regarded as extremely dangerous
Guard Stulrunys.
In the matter of stairways Mr..
Doherty believes laws are needed He
mas many open stairways with no hand
rails. and where naisstcp would mean
death or manning for life. Especially
in fire would such places spell dis
nster He would have all doors left
unlocked during working hours. thus
preventing in large measure such
holocausts as the recent horrible fac
tory fire in New York. II reports con-
corning conditions there are true
!t astonishing part OF the situation
is that manufacturers often distin-
ruish between the States which al
ready have such laws and those which
DO not enjoy them. Mr.. Doherty has
learned that when shipments OF ma
ch!nery are to be made. Inquiry is had
IS TO the laws. II 1t is intended for
purchasers in the score or so OF States
where statutes are in force, the life
saving appliances are added before the
factory is left. Otherwise they are
left of.
Not in Force in South.
1t appears that Tennessee Is the
only Southern State. unless Kentucky
bc included in this classification.
which has such laws for the protec-
tion OF the people who work In fac
tories
The appalling number of accidents
in Virginia has aroused Mr. Doherty
and caused him to take the matter up.
Upon inquiry. he finds that a large
proportion are easily preventative. at
cost which Will be inconsiderable
to the employers. and which most OF
them will be glad TO stand for II only
notihed OF the existence OF these ap-
pliances.
An inspector from the Labor De-
rartment would see that the laws are
complied with. There would be no
public expense in this, as the inspec-
tors are now required to visit all fac
tories in regard TO other matters.