New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-05
| abOr Seven Days a Week and
24 Hours at a Stretch Every
Two Weeks, with No Time
for Meals. Unions Charge.
LAW VIOLATIONS ALLEGED
Flight of 1000 Firemen and
Still Tenders in New Jersey
and on Long Island En-
genders Campaign for
Drastic Legislation.

Men are worked in the vicinity Of
New York seven days each week and
twenty-four hours at a stretch every
two weeks without time off even for
meals. They have done this through
the winter at stills out in the open
although there is a state law which
requires such stills TO be inclosed in
buildings. An average wage of So
week has been paid. and the average
working day has been twelve hours.
These disclosures were made in an
investigation Of the labor conditions of
2.OO0 stationary firemen and stillmen
employed in the Standard Oil Com
pany's plants near this city made by
representatives Of the International
Brotherhood of Stationary Firemen
and the American Federation of La
Dor. The reports of the investigators
were presented to the National Civic
Federation, and will form vital part
of a plea for relief to be made TO the
New York State Factory Investigating
Commission.
Standard Called Worst Offender.
Although other industries are de-
clared to be offenders in the matter Of
hours Of labor imposed on employees,
the Standard Oil Company plants show
the worst conditions, according to the
Investigations. The refineries and es-
adjustments of the company at Green
point, Long Island. Long Island City
and Bayway were chosen for special
inquiry, with that at Bayonne a sub
ject for less thorough study
The majority of the men whose con-
dition is the most deplorable are fire.
men and still tenders. Four investi-
gators detailed by Timothy Healy, in
ternational president of the stationary
fremen, at No. 211 East 10th street.
undertook to gather the desired in
formation for that body. They were
Charles Kovalsky. Michael Quinn,
Clare Jensen and George Durise.
AT the same time the American Fed
GRAFTON Of abOr through Hugh
Frayne, general director with head
quarters at No. East Odd street,
conducted an inquiry. with Joseph
Tylkoff and NJ Weiss as its represent
atives The facts gathered were final
ly laid before Ralph NJ. Easley, chair
man Of the.executive committee of the
National Civic Federation, No. Madi-
son avenue.
The reports Of these men show that
nearly 1000 fremen and stillmen en-
ployed by the company work in the
four places named. They are in two
shifts, a cay Shift and a night shift.
The day shift begins work at { o'clock
IN the morning and works ten hours
or until . o'clock in the afternoon.
Tnere is no time allowed off for meals
or rest The night shift comes on at
D o'clock In tn, afternoon and works
fourteen hours. or until Z o'clock the
next morning.
"a Hours Of Constant Work.
iHis continues Tor seven days each
week Once week. usually on Sun
gay the day shift takes the place Of the
nlsht shift for the coming week. When
'nis change is made the men work
~i'nout rest for twenty four hours. The
Oay shift begins at o'clock in the
morning as usual. 1t completes its day
"OfK at o'clock that afternoon, but
instead OF being relieved it continues
vi outy until o'clock the next morn
mg' From Z until . O'Clock in the af-
"rhoon 1t is idle. At , O'Clock the
men begin their work as the night Shift
anu after their ten hours off they work
continued on second page, sixth column.