The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-10-24
SHOW RESULTS AS SECURED
State Leaders in Battle for Safe
Guards Tell People Of Kenosha of
Results Attained by Crusade to Make
Machinery Safer for Use Of Workmen

An audience of about four hundred
people attended the lecture on safety
devices and appliances at high school
auditorium last evening. There were
represented employers and employees,
clerks, foremen, superintendent and
female labor, all manifesting deep
interest in the subject.
Conrad Shearer, secretary of the To-
cal manufacturers association, presid-
ed and introduced as the first speaker
G. w. Price, assistant to the industrial
commission. Mr.. Price took as his
subject, "The Prevention of Acct
dents" He gave brief history of
the introduction of safety devices,
showing the remarkable progress made
in short period Of time. The @. &
N. w. Ry. Co., was cited as the ex-
ample Of one that turned it's attention
to the prevention of accidents about
twenty months ago. During that time
the road has appointed over five humid
red inspectors and the showing made
far exceeded expectations. From this
example other roads have taken up the
matter until now the protection of
railroad employees is almost universal.
Instances were cited where the action
of firms in procuring suitable shoes
for the use of foundrymen had reduced
burns eighty-fve per cent. In single
plant goggles on the eyes of clippers
in use for specified time reduced The
number of injuries from eighty-fve to
nine, none serious. Many accidents
may, through the use of homemade de-
vices, be easily prevented. An opera
tive IS arm was nearly severed by a
saw where a device costing about fifty
cents would have rendered the acct
dent impossible, Inspection and IT.
struction are the two main features
in safety progress. In all shops the
foremen should take a part in inspect
ing machinery under their charge
Committees of worbmen have done
very effective work along this line.
The secret of success is in creating in
terest, get safety in the air and every
one will be on the alert. Mr.. Price
concluded his talk by treating OF fac
tory lighting. The dark shop is al
ways a dangerous one, The most eff.
fectual and satisfactory artificial light
is the eighty candle power Tungsten,
such lights should not be placed in
the ceiling, but suspended at least
halfway between the roof and the floor.
j. D. Beck, formerly state labor
commissioner. now with the industrial
commission, spoke on the "Work Of
the Industrial Commission. Compar-
ing the old and new laws Of the state
he showed numerous benefits that have
come to both employer and employee
The first rule laid down in the law to-
day is that all places of employment
must be made safe. In the past, fire
escapes were the same for all kinds of
buildings. A committee consisting of
eight men, representatives of all
classes, is busy drafting set of rules
for future guidance. More machinery
is being guarded today than ever be-
fore. The Workmen s Compensation
Law is operating in manner highly
satisfactory to both employer and en-
ployee. In one years trial it has put
several personal injury doctors out of
business. The compensation for in
jury has gone directly to the injured,
both employer and employee have been
clear of personal damage suits, and the
cost to the manufactures is consider.
ably less than under the old system.
The exhibit at the Y. M. O. A. I'm,
der the direction of Deputy August
Kaems will continue until Saturday.
Several hundred factory men have al.
ready viewed the collection of safety
devices, and it is expected that mum
bers more will inspect them before the
week is over. Operatives from the
various plants, who throng the build
ing every evening, are taking deep in
terest in the display Several sketches
Of various devices are made by the
visitors, which goes to show that the
interest manifested is more than super
fetal. Messrs. Kaem and Lehnhoff. in
charge of the exhibit, are kept busy
explaining diagrams and answering
inquiries.