New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-19
EXPECT SAFE FACTORIES
Committee Thinks Six Months
Should See End of Fire Traps.
WILL WELCOME COMPLAINTS
Lawyers Volunteer to Prescott.
Cases, and Efficient Inspec-
tion Is Promised.

The Committee OF Safety that was m,
outgrowth Of the Asch Building FIRE com
pleted plans yesterday for a campaigI
against the owners of dangerous factorie,
which the committee thinks will make fire
traps thing of the past inside Of ST;
months.
IF We can have the cooperation NJ tff
working people in sending us information
OF dangerous conditions in the factories,
said Henry Morgenthau. president OF the
committee. I'VE think that within a VEN
few months we will wipe out the last Ct
the fire traps We are ready now TO -
ahead with prosecutions, and It IS or
opinion that after a few Of the owneIs
have received prison sentences the Others
will voluntarily comply with the law. f.
fcient inspection after that will be all that
is needed.
we expect to have the efficient inspe'-
ton. also. We sent a letter to the Coz
ernor to-day about the State Labor DE-
partment. and in a few days there should
be results from that. Fire protection is
our first work but after that we are gorg
to take up the unsantary conditions in the
ia ctories and the dsease-breeding oondi-
tons under which so many thousands If
employees are compelled TO labor. That WILL
come after the election. Between now and
election we expect TO have our hands full
with fire conditions"
The committee has organized n corps OF
twenty-five volunteer lawyers to prosecute
cases against owners Of factories who vio-
! late the law There are now on file in the
| CORPORATION CounseTs office more than
twenty four hundred violations of the fac
| tory inspection law. more than three hun
dred Of which describe conditions making
the shops dangerous in case Of fire. Mr.
Morgenthau had long talk Yesterday witt
John J. OBrien. Assistant Corporation
| Counsel, who said the Corporation Coun
/ sells office would at once begin the
| prosecution Of the violators in the police
courts under Section of the Sanitary
! Code, which gives police magistrates &
right to enforce the law.
! In addition TO this the committee seeks
! confidential or anonymous complaints from
! factory employees. telling Of dangerous con
ditIons in the factories in which they work
Mr.. Morgenthau promises that all sucf
communications will be held strictly con
! fidential, ana SAYS tndt dHonS iiouS lctt'i'
will receive as careful attention as signed
! complaints.
The committee has received from th'
! State Labor Department five inspectors
badges and authority n make inspections
/ The inspectors Of the committee will inves
tigate all complaints received and put IN
evidence in shape to produce in the courts
| of,or which the CORPORATION Counsels OF
fee will be called upon 10 act, and II
does not take up the cases promptly IN
committees corps Of volunteer lawyers VIII
take the prosecutions I'm hand
Fire Commissioner Johnson refused yes
terday to make public the list OF siN''
buildings sent to him as being the one
in the city most IN need Of adequate M
rrotaction. He refused on the ground ina
all the buildings d,d not deserve the nam
Of fire trap" and to make the list puon
would work a great hardship and harm
! 10 many persons.