The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-07-14

COURSE the IdCLlOn IN cOntrOl OF the
convention resolved itself into ma
chine TO wreck the party in the state.
OPPOSING SAFETY DEVICES.
1t seems incredible that workers
should thwart the efforts to save their
lives by opposing the installation of
safety devices In factories and mines,
but that Is the assertion made in an
article on inspection for Safety, con-
tributed to Human Engineering by
William w Doolittle, safety inspector
of the National Metal Trades associa-
Ition. He tells US, in fact, that the
principal obstacle to these life-saving
innovations comes not from the en-
ployers. but from the workmen-the
very persons these devices are intend
ed to benefit. The association repre-
sented by the writer Of this article,
besides appointing him to inspect and
report upon, the factories under its
Jurisdiction, appropriates yearly a
considerable sum to promote better
methods Of Industrial education. and,
in particular. a knowledge of the best
methods OF preventing industrial acss
cidents, Mr.. Doolittle writes:
| The work Of the safety inspector
deals with dangerous conditions in
workshops and factories, and with
| their causes and remedies. or means
OF lettering these conditions. Acci-
dents are costly to the manufacturer,
! not only in the amount OF money
paid to the injured employees, but also
| in the loss OF time and the lessening
OF the output. Therefore, aside from
the humane view Of the case, there Is
another consideration, namely, that OF
expense.
1t may be stated at the start that
every known industry has connected
with it certain element of risk, and
that, although this risk is comparative
and varies with the industry, in no
case SO far az known is it entirely alb
sent. That many persons are injured
each day in industrial accidents Is a
fact so patent that it is not necessary
| for US to prove it at this time We
may observe, however, that it is a
matter which makes but little impress
sion upon the mind OF the average In
dividual, and aside from morbid cur
iosity which attracts the crowd for a
brief time, comparatively little inter-
est is taken in accidents by the gem
eral public. Yet 1t is a matter that
is vitality important to manufacturers,
Operatives, and society at large.
AS an example OF this indifference
land apathy on the part Of the public,
4 we may note that when a man is SER
Eiously injured or killed in shop, only
for a short period during which the
Iminds of his associates are filed with
horror, and only within the radius of
1.-THE influence of the accident where 1t
lis discussed, it Is thought of seriously
4 by others Then other matters take
iup the attention, and the accident is
4 forgotten.
i Occasionally some great casualty oc-
curs-a mine explosion, a railroad ac-
cident, a theatre fire, or school
4 building holocaust-which remains be
fore the public for longer period
: rand and which often results IN measures
being taken TO prevent its repetition
Examples of these preventive meas
ures are the inspection of mines, rail
way Safeguards, asbestos curtains fol
theatres, lighted exits, and doors open
,, ing outward
Generally. though not always, ar
accident in an industrial plant is fol
; lowed by preventive measures. Ii
,, many other cases. dangerous places
, would be safeguarded II it were knowr
: to the management just what steps Il
was most expedient to take, and 1t 4!
for the purpose of bringing to the at
tention of the manufacturer this prac
tical knowledge OF safeguarding tina
the safety work Of the National Meta
4 Trades association is undertaken.
] The safety systems OF today--ant
/ we have some splendid exampIes--ar,
! not the work OF any one person eithel
! in their conception or execution
+, Rather are they evolved, the results
of observation OF many Industrial acci
!, dents in great number OF places ant
under various conditions by a grea
: many intelligent persons. and for tfei
! successful administration dependen
;. upon the cooperation of all concerned
r Primarily it Is the duty OF the fac
tory management to make safety rules
;, and to install safety devices. This i
duty imposed by the regulations 0
. society, and recognized by all hu
8 name employers. Right here, let u
e remark that most employers are hu
n maae. and wish TO protect their EN-
# ployes.
9 After generating some results 0
y his years inspection. and making ceI
l. tain recommendations for the safe
il operations Of plants that he has inves
ltigated during that time, Inspecto
& Doolittie says that while safety de