New-York tribune., 1913-07-24
SULzER SAYS DISASTER
WAS DUE TO MURPHY
Asserts Even Greater CataS-
trophe Is Invited by Labor
Department HoId-Up.
'UNTRUE,' REPLIES WAGNER
Senator Calls Fire a Lesson to
Upstate Manufacturers
Who Had Plants
Exempted.

Albany. July 23-The Binghamton ire
disaste was seized upon by Governor
SulZer to-day as another weapon In his
fight with Tammany The Governor as
serted that Tammany Hall and Charles
+. Murphy should be held responsible
for the disaster because the Tammany
controlled Senate had refused to confirm
his appointments as Labor Commissioner
first of John Mitchell and later of James
NJ. Lynch
"The people understand the ques-
ton" said the Governor. They VIII
hold Mr.. Murphy responsible.
az is a sad commentary he con-
tnued, ION the present condition OF
the State Labor Department, which is
tied up so that il cannot execute the
laws on the statute books to prevent
these tragedies. The fact is that Mr..
Murphy will not permit his Senate TO
confirm the nomination Of Mr.. Mitchell
or Mr.. Lynch-not that he can say
anything against these men. who are
peculiarly qualified TO do the work, but
because he can't make me name his
man for the place."
Senator Robert f. Wagner, majority
leader and Tammany spokesman ue-
nounced Suffers charge that the disaster
was due To the failure 10 confirm LynchS
appointment as being as untruthful ana
malicious as are practically all OF the
statements emanatlns from the executive
chamber hourly"
Wagner's rejoindcr included careful
analysis OF the laws affecting factories
and severely criticised those manufact-
urers from upstate cities who sought ana
obtained exemptions from the new factory
law for buildings up to four stories under
the plea that small city factories would
never duplicate the Triangle disaster.
The state Fire Marshal. Thomas }.
Ahearn. disclalmed for his department
any responsibility, first, on the ground that
his executive powers were TOO circum-
scribed. and. second. because his reports
indicated that the loss Of life in Bins-
hamton was due more to panic than any
other cause.
Drastic. but Not Enough So.
John Williams, who was Commissioner
of Labor until Sulzer ousted him. said
that the Bnghamton disaster gave added
proof- Of the fact that even the stringent
laws recommended and rassed at the last
session OF the Legislature did not so far
enough.
The Law which will go into effect on
October ! next" said Mr.. Williams. pro
yides that all factories OF more than four
stories shall have hreproof Enclosures for
their stairways. AZ originally drafted. the
law specified that all factories Of what
ever height should have such inclosed
stalrways. but the upstate manufacturers
sought and obtained an amendment limit
ing the application Of that section TO fac
tory buildings .of more than four stories.
This disaster certainly demonstrates the
fallacy OF their argument that smaller fac-
tories outside New York city would never
duplicate the Triangle horror.
Every factory which employs any
number Of persons n work above the
ground floor should have these stairways'
and now. while this latest horror is fresh
in the minds Of the people. IS the time
IN make the law more stringent. BY the
time the Legislature meets next winter
opposition will spring up as It did before -
Mr.. Williams said that. as a matter OF
fact. the Blnghamton factory was not
only within the law as IL now stands
but that It would stll be- within the law
which goes into effect October I, because
IL was four story building, and there
fore not required TO inclose its stairways.
I'm view OF the analysis OF the law as
given by Mr.. Williams. together with its
application TO the Binghamton disaster,
Governor Sulzer was asked to-day wheth-
er ne would recommend TO this extra ses-
sion any amendments designed 10 prevent
a repetition of such a loss Of life.
The law is a good law. II we had
commissioner To enforce It" the Governor
insisted. still attributng the responsible
ity 10 the Tammany refusal 10 give him
his Labor Commissioner.
But Mr.. Williams has said that neither
the political law ncr the more drastic
law which goes into effect october 1
would cover a case Ike the Binshamton
disaster or prevent 4 similar loss Of life.
the Governor was told.
Governor Sulzer then said that he would
lcok into the matter. Some OF his more
courageous friends were urging him late
to-day 10 recommend an amendment 10
| the law providing for inclosed stair
ways in all factories and asking him to
drop his attack on the Senate on the
| appointment matter.
II Is expected none the less, that the
Governor will not deviate from his pres
ent course. but will continue 10 hold the
Labor Commit toner appointment to the
! front.
After asserting that the Binghamton
disaster was made possible by the dead
| lock with Tammany. the Governor went
on to say.
1t Is one of the prime objects of the
| State Labor Department to establish and
maintain conditions that will make inn
| possible such heartrending tragedy
as that which occurred in Blnghamton
Yesterday. II seems incredible that the
/ Triangle Shirt Waist fire of 1911 has been
almost duplicated in all its most horrible
| features. and yet 1t was this Triangle
| Shirt WAIST Company fire which directly
! led to the appointment Of the Wagner
! investigating committee charged with the
duty of investigating the cause of that
fire. and OF recommending LEGISLATION cal
cuated to prevent such tragedies In the
| future This committee did recommend
appropriate legislation for the better pro-
| lection of the lives Of factory employees.
and I'm pursuance of these recommends
/ tions laws were passed last year. and
additional laws this year. providing for Il
L 4.