The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-16
u HOUR WORK BILL
FOR WOMEN DOOMED
Governor to Veto II. Is Au-
thOritativc Report, After
Exciting Hearing.
MANY ASSAIL MEASURE

ALBANY. April 15.-Gov Whitman
will veto the Thompson Bewley bill.
which permits women and children over
ia years to work In the cauneries sew
entyJtwo hours week. This was
learned on tho highest authority to-
night.
Tho Governor gave hearing on the
hill to-day which was marked by the
bitter opposition ~ the labor reprcsen-
tatives and men and women representing
humanitarian organizations. The meas
ure was characterized az an organized
attack upon the labor laws of the state
and an effort to break down the protec-
ton Afforded women and children work.
ers.
Mr.. whtman's opinion of the meas
ure. 1t is said. il that 1t is dangerous
legislation. lie feels that the approval
of such "A hill would open the way for
tho continuous employment OF women
for seventy-two hours a week instead OF
for this period on occasions Ike the
canning seasons.
state Labor Commissioner James NJ
Lynch appeared at the hearing ana
offered solution for the troubles or the
cannesy owners.
He told the Governor that at least Nv
per cent. OF the Gamers OF the state
can conduct their business without vio-
lating the law. Permission is now given
the canncries TO work women sixty
six hours a week for five weeks of the
yeaN and Commissioner Lynch said
that last year every request to employ
women for this time each week had
been granted.
Plans for Emergency.
He suggested the enactment OF legls-
latiun designed to permit extra WORK ny
women in cases of emergency. tie sald
that where there was an oNerplus OF
stock il could be arranged by legisla-
ton of this character to employ women
for longer periods than is now prescribed
by law, leaving II TO the state LABOR
Department tn determine just what con-
ssitutes an emergency.
The cannery owners, Commissioner
Lynch declared. are their own worst
enemies, ard the question or women
employment In Canneries could ne set
tied without the agitation there has been
on the subject II proper means were re-
sorted to.
The contention OF the eannery owners
present was that under the present law
an overplus of stock would mean irrep-
arabic loss. !. +. Common of Mount
Morris. counsel for the state Gamers
Association, said that the employment
of women In the cauneries was the most
healthful OF all work.
With him was young woman, Miss
Hazel Eskin OF Clinton. who I've SAID
had been working In a cannery for the
past seven years. Sire was hrst en-
ployed when she was IA years old. The
girl was of the robust country type and
turning to her Mr. Connor said
II challenge you to show from the
Great White Way a better looking or
more robust girl
The Governor laughed heartily.
Blow 20 the Party.
utterly indefensble" was the char
acterization of the bill made by Attorney
williams. chairman of the New York
Child Labor Commission. He told the
Governor he could do nothing that would
hurt the Republican party more than 10
approve the bill.
Or. James Parsons OF Syracuse said
the bill would prostitute the Interests
of the whole State for the sake OF n few.
The favor OF tie bill by the Gamers, he
said. was purely peruniary
The bitter opp sitIun of the Consum-
ers League OF New Work and the Ma
,ional Consumers League was voiced
by Mrs Frederick Nathan. president 81
the former and ViCe-president OF the
latter organization.
THE women employed in the can
nsries are a more valuable asset than
the profits which would accrue IRON
L.