The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-17
bin to outlaw, was responsible for an
enormous loss OF life
Prohibits Bolting Of Doors.

Besides requiring the exit doors to
open outwardly, the act provides that
they shall not be locked boiled, or
fastened during working hours. Sub
stantial hand rails. IL is required.
shall he provided on all stairyvays in
all shops and manufacturing cstab-
iishments. and where females are en-
ploycd, the stairs shall be properly
screened at tho sides and bottom.
owners are required, in the discrc-
ton of the Commissioner of Labor, to
provide belt shifters or other mechani-
cal contrivances for the purpose o;
throwing on or off belts on pulleys.
If "A machine Is in a dangerous condi-
ton, or is not properly guarded. the
use of IL may be prohibited by the
Commissioner OF Labor, who is en-
powered to post a notice to that eff
feet on the machine in question. Such
notice, IL is provided, shall not be re-
moved from the machine until 1t Is
made safe. and its use shall not be
permitted until the defect Is corrected.
Discuss Vice Inquiry.
The Senate cleared the gallery and
floor Of the women in attendance. to
enter into a discussion of Senator
Fes therston's resolution appointing
commission to conduct an invcstiga-
ton into vicc conditions in the State.
and recommend TO the next General
Assembly legislation designed TO cor
rect the evil.
The resolution originally provided
for n commission OF eight members.
IL was amended In committee to provide
for a commission of five members. three
from the House and two from the SEN
ate. Senator Fcatherston thought that
the cost OF the investigation should not
exceed $500.
Senator Gravatt doubted the good
4 q - -
| mission of laymen In the short time
allotted 10 the investigation by the
resolution. II was. nevertheless, "A step
In the right direction, he thought, and
deserved the serious consideration OF
the Senate.
Doubts Expedicncy.
Serious objections were offered by
Senator Echols. No good, he thought,
could he accomplished by ala inrcstiga-
| ton of the character and extent indi-
/ Gated in the resolution, first, because
! the men who are expected to under
take Ii arc laymen without expert
knowledge of the means of correction.
and, second because such an investiga-
ton could not add to knowledge of ac-
tual conditions with which every mem
Der OF the Legislature is already ac-
| quaintcd.
mission knows now as much as lie will
know at the end OF the thirJy-day in
vestigation about the prevalence of
| vice and the evils which follow in its
train" said Senator Echals. AN in
veatigation by such commission would
! IN my opinion be without value. IL
real reform is desired. let the Senator
/ from Lynchburg introduce n bin like
/ tho one passed by Congress last week,
which legislated WashinSton's whole
segregated district out OF existence. l
| will gladly support such a bill for Vir-
GINA"
| Senator Walker likewise saw little
that commission of laymen could ac-
complish. Their cursory Investigations,
I he thought, would only provide a good
deal of sensational reading for pru-
rient minds, and would lead to no real
good.
Defends Commission Idea.
TO these objections Senator Feather