The Washington times., 1912-06-04
PRESIDENT GREETS
INSPECTORS, LAUDS
. COMPENSATION ACT
Slams at Roosevelt in Open
e.. ing Address at Con-
! yention.

rndorsing the workmen's compensa-
tion act and the anti-phosphorus match
bills now before Congress, and promis-
ing his support for the creation of any
investigating commission required to
further the purposes of factory inspec-
tors President Taft made the opening
address at the twenty-sixth annual
meeting Of the International Association
of Factory Inspectors, at the Shoreham
this morning.
There is so much pretense Of re-
FORM" said the President in beginning,
.to. gain public support" He added after
pause, THAT It Is a real pleasure
to be among the real workers"
This phrase was interpreted as hay-
Ing relation to the Presidential strug-
gle, and It was greeted with smiles and
applause.
Hopes Bill Will Pass.
Referring to the phosphorus match
bill, the President said he hoped it
would pass, indorsing this method of
employing the taxing power to de-
stroy an industry. He referred to the
adequacy OF such a method, and said
that there were occasions when IL
should be used. The hope was ex-
q commission to investigate occupa-
tional diseases.
The main part of the Presidents ad-
dress was devoted to discussion of the
plored the practice of some lawyers in
beginning suits for damage on contin-
gent fees.
ut is not the best part of the pro-
tice,n he said. II do not mean that
there are not many honorable men who
are attorneys in damage cases. This
act will eliminate two-fifths or possibly
half OF the present litigation of this
nature and anything that will have such
an effect Is to be commended.
The injured workingman should be
protected by a law which will give him
Wnat he deserves and under which he
may look forward to compensation as
his right, as something that Is due him
just as Is his wage envelope"
Deplores Delays.
The President inveighed against the
delays of the law and said that from
a pecuniary standpoint 1t is some
times better for man with a damage
suit to be beaten in the first in
stance than to win after several years
Of expensive. tedious and nerve-rack-
ing litigation.
comes from a narrow view of 1t, he
Inserted, rather than a comprehension
of the whole act and a study of ali
injuries and all suits for compensa-
tion.
Efhssr Ths Rref,ssp. bsSe vas pss
dent of the association.
half the states were present. as well as
representatives from several Canadian
The program of the next three days
dustrial subjects, and 1t is expected that
these will result in lively meetings.
AZ the meeting. held in Lincoln last
g struggle with the labor commission
ers, and this has resulted in infusing
new life into the organization now in
THE Holy Calling of the Factory In
spector." by DR.. 4. J. McElway. reso- |
lutions on departed members, several Of |
whom We're lost on the Titanic, and a |
number of reports comprise the after
This evening o. P. Hoff, of Oregon,
", %ii wnnesR speak On Laws for the Protection
er. Of the Bureau Of Labor, will read a
paper prepared by Thomas Keiity, Of
ontario on the progress OF the associa-
ton; and Miss Gertrude Beeks, OF New
OF Humanitartanism in Industry" In
which the effects of welfare work done
3 fby =. the the National civic Federation in
The convention hall, the banquet
room of the Shoreltani, is lined with
large boards bearing types of notices
and taSs used in factory inspection in
NsE YORK. Illinois. and other States.
tented at the convention. Twenty-Five
delegates we're appointed by the gover-
nor: John s; Whalen, chief factory in
the 2o3 nieu in his department and a
com nissionDcomprising RobertjF F. Wag-
rer and Samuel Gorupers. of New York.
cyrus w. Phillips: of Rochester, and
others, will attend.
having for it's purpose the formulat tion
CT better accident and fire prevention
laws, followed upon the disaster in the
shirt waist factory.
Something Accomplished.
Inspector Whalen believes that dis
aster taught lessons that will prove
useful, despite the fact that the suits
aginst the owners failed to accomplish
punitive results.
The New York law is one of the best
In the country, declares Mr.. Whalen.
The complete exhibit Of its methods
made at the convention, IS expected
ron less progressive states ideas that
may later become law. The unclean
bakery is handled in summary maner.
red "unclean'' tag. is used. This
The machinery II the place is not
cleaned within forty-eght hours the
'unclean" tags are TirCd on tools or
Machinery and remain there until the
lace Is clean. All work in a bakery
an he stopped by this method Onlg
once have the tags been removed AMI
ne owner in that istance was convicted
and fined 500.
The notices exhibited ARE printed in
every language. The Chinese laundries.
cecI lsc. OF the lingual difficulty, we're
en- sui poenaed all the chinese laundry
nen. and when they we're in court an
inter-. r.1reter explained clearly the law
cleanliness. Whalen has had
very little trouble With them since