New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-21
Conferences Held by Prom
inent Organizations OF
Labor Measures.
SUGGESTIONS TO BE
OFFERED THIS WEEK
Factory Hearings Will Be Har-
monious if Home Rule Rights
Are Recognized,
BY ALFRED Il. KIRKUs.

Chairman of subcommittee on revision OF
labor laws, Merchants Association of New
York.
The MERCHANTS Association Of New
York, through it's Fire Prevention and
Insurance Committee, has been holding
conferences with various other organiza-
tions with the view Of simplifying and
unifyng the objections or amendments
of the labor law to be presented at the
hearing OF the State Factory Investigat-
ing Commission, to be held in this city
this week II was the consensus OF
opinion that cooperation with the com
mission and its counsel IS most desirable,
and that it is essential that such assist
ance be given them for amendments to
the law not inconsistent with the recog-
milton Of "home rule"
The City Of New York and other cities
having building codes and the necessary
departments must be exempted from the
provisions of the law relating to the con-
struction of new buildings, the mainten-
ance or alterations Of existing buildings,
also as regards fire prevention and sani-
tation, and the enforcement Of the labor
law must be through the city depart
ments where such exist.
The counsel for the State Factory In
.vestigating Commission has expressed a
desire for any assistance for revising the
law where shown necessary, and calm and
proper consideration should be gived to
his request. The city administration
is willing and DESTROYS TO assist in every
way TO this end, and II and the Board OF
Aldermen will undoubtedly be ready to
pass such ordinances and provide such
means as may be requisite TO protect the
workers covered by the labor law, but II
must be through this means-through the
city authorities and departments--that it
must be done. a state department must
not attempt or he allowed to encroach
upon the powers already delegated by the
Legislature TO this city. and If this fact
is recognized by the State Factory In
vestigating Commission in its work har-
monious action will be had and approval
given by all interests now affected.
1t would be absurd TO have our Build
Ing Department prepare and our Board CT
Aldermen adopt a new building code II IL
Is to be superseded by a labor law code
1t would be useless TO have a sanitary
code and a Board OF Health for this city
II the labor law is to take precedence in
our factories, mercantile and office build
ings.
The people have been more and more
strenuously demanding, and the Leglsla-
tuTe recognizing "home rule" as expedi-
ent and necessary in large cities, and 10
backward step must be taken. At the
same time, the working people need pro-
lection. and there are various sections In
the labor law that are not taken. care of
by the city authorities. and these should
be left under the present Jurisdiction.
Also, in many places In the state there
are no adequate building codes. etc, and
the Labor Department should there have
jurisdiction.
The commission should also consider
the rating or classification of factories
and factory buildings under the law and
make different requirements for highly In
fiammable occupancy or totally non-in-
fiammable; a congested occupancy or q
small one; low building or a skyscraper;
modern. fireproof building or dilapi-
dated. non-hreproof one.