New-York tribune., 1913-07-25


started by the local authorities. Whiske-
man and SEientag, for the factory coii'
mission, and Roesch, for the State flre
Marshars office, remained here to-hish''
both for the purpose of sitting In on the
Coroner's inquest and to make certain
independent Investigations OF their own
Rogers. however. left for Albany after
brief examination OF the burned build
ing and a glance at the beginning OF the
Coroner's inquest.
Six Buildings Condemned.
Roesch found time TO go over. SIX dil-
ferent places in Binghamton, when ne
declared he would close up within twen-
tv-four hours unless they took immediate
steps to increase their fire exits. The
places upon which he served these no.
tices included two moving picture thea
tres two apartment houses. an oVerali
factory and a dance hall. All OF them
had insufficient fire escapes. Roesch SAID
Whiskeman and Shientag, for the Wag-
ner factory commission. had no hesl-
fancy in condemnlng Governor Sulzer
attempt 10 lay the blame for the disas-
ment has no official head.
There Is no possible connection De-
tween this catastrophe and the present
condition in the Department or LABOR
said Whiskeman. THE Binghamton
factory was thoroughly inspected and ap-
proved by the factory inspector as re-
Gently as three weeks ago, and had there
been a Commissioner OF Labor-John
williams. John Mitchell. James NJ. Lynch
or any other man-it would not have
changed the situation in the slightest de-
gree. It would not have made the In
spections OF this factory any more nu-
merous or any more proficient
Defects found in the factory on the
occasion OF that last visit were remedied
on the demand of the acting head OF the
Labor Department Had the inspector re-
ported any other violations of the law
there is no condition in the Labor De-
partment to-day. nor has there been at
any time since the lactory was last in
speeted, which would have prevented the
Labor Department from promptly reme-
dying the same"
Deputy State Fire Marshal Roesch said
after his examination OF the burned build
ing that the fire escape on II had been
built on a smaller scale than the require
ments OF the labor laws for factories OF
that class called for.
Both platforms and drop ladders were
too small" said Roesch. and the tubing
and steps were likewise Of pinched pat
tern. The side hold-arms were both too
small and too low, a point which is Of
particular Importance where women are
using the escape.
II intend TO see to il that all these
points are brought out in the inquiry.
either In connection with the broadened
inquest 70 which Coroner Seymour has
consented or, II IL proves impossible there.
at a future inquiry which the State Fire
Marshal viii conduct II We find the in
quest too limited"
To Have Joint Funeral Service.
Clergymen of all denominations and
faiths at a Joint conference here to-day
decided upon Joint funeral service for
the unidentified dead. The service prob
ably will be held ut the state armOry
here. the largest assembly hall In the city.
Three OF the largest cemetery associ-
ntions OF the city have offered plots 10
care for the unidentified dead, and one or
more Of the plots will be accepted. Pub
lie subscriptions are planned to raise
funds for one or two monuments.
The city Council tonight passed reso-
buttons OF sympathy for the victims and
their families, and arranged for the at
tendance OF the city officials OF Bingham
ton in body at the public funeral for the
unidentified dead. Flags on all city build
ings will be flown at halfmast for thirty
days. and the Council ordered the city
building inspectors 10 canvass Immediately
all the factory buildings and other places
where a number OF people are gathered
either for work or pleasure. 10 the end
that anything like a repetition OF such
disaster shall be prevented.
Mr.. Shientag. the counsel for the state
Factory Commission. said tonight that the
commission would make a later invesu-
CATION OF its own, but that such step
would not be taken now. because the com
mission did not want TO Interrupt the
work OF the Coroner or the District Al
torney, as long as there was any prospect
OF a criminal prosecution growing out OF
their Investigations.
What we are interested in" said Mr
Shlentag, 'is the cause OF the fire. whether
proper precautions were taken TO insure
the safety Of the occupants OF the factory
building and whether the law has beer
compiled with In the physical condition OF
the factory.
III there Is any question OF criminal
liability. Il Is best that the District At
torney should be left free and untram'
melled by any outside authority, so that
he may proceed first with that important
phase OF the work.
MIR. Shientag said that the findings oi
the Factory Commission. after its investi'
cation would deal more particularly with
possible Improvements In the laws. Frank
Tlerney, the secretary. and Assemblymer
Cyrus Phillips and Edward Jackson, OF
commission, accompanied Messrs. Shientag
and Whiskeman to-day. and Senator Wag-
ner. the chairman; Speaker Smith OF the
Assembly. who is vice-chairman. and Mary
| Dreier are expected next week, when tht
| commission will begin Its own investiga
ton. Although Senator Wagner is plan
ming TO recommend to the Legislature thai
the laws should be amended so as To re-
quire all factories TO have fireproot In
closed stairways. such recommendation
could not be brought up at the resumption
of the extra session unless Governor Sui
zer recommended additional legislation II
another emergency message.
The body of the engineer. John Scher
merhorn. was fouEd In the ruins to-day
II was identified by Masonic ring anC
! watchcharm and by five SO bills In hi