The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-10
FIRE INQUIRY DISCLOSES
'WOFUL LACK OF SYSTEM
James M. Lynch Admits State Industrial Commission
Has No Means of Checking Up on Factory In
spectors-No Evidence of Arson.

The opening three hours of the Coro-
ner's inquisition 70 establish RESPONSE
bility for the loss of twelve lives In the
Williamsburg factory FIRE or Saturda.
were uneasy ones for the state Industrial
Commission. Tho hearing was adjourned
at tho end OF that time to allow the
commission to produce records of TIL,
steps taken by the commission and It's
inspectors to enforce orders for nreproot-
ing the i've stairways in h Diamond
Building which passed UNDECIDED for nine
months. Coroner Ernest X. g
and Distric. Attorney James G.. Cropsey
will continue the investigation this MORN
ing and probably for three or four more
days.
only one Of the Commissioners, James
II. Lynch, was oil the stand yesterday
and Brooklyn inqulsitors did not get
through with him. Mr.. Lynch admitted
unwaveringly that the state Industrial
Commission had no means OF checking
up on its factory inspectors to find out
whether their work was being done prop
erly and expeditiously. He frankly
stated that he doubted whether the COM
mission had power under the la" to en-
force stairway ilreprooiing regulations
on five story buildlngs-such ~ the Dia-
mond Building was. There was no ques-
ton in his mind about four and six
story buildings. And ho said too that
the commission had never called to the
District Attorneys attention any cases
a -. 49,, ..ttf, s,a nrtapa
Asked About HOurs of Work.
Here are some OF MIR. Cropsey's ques-
lions and Commissioned Lynch's replies
Doesn't 1t strike you. Commissioner,
that there ought Ia he some method OF
| keeping track OF the inspectors 80 40
| to prevent Il condition where after three
| visits are made in six or seven weeks
| there Is no inspection for months and no
! one knows anything about ity'
There should he a most complete
system
shouldn't there be some record n
your department OF how many days were
given to comply with this order cine
| fire proofing order Oh the Diamond FAC
tory)"
Il should think So
Don't you think that after all these
| IllOlblnS OIL HNtSNSdNAph 'NhN H''N ~
corded TO Diamond) something definite
and vigorous should have been done!'
II do
Don, YOU think those hours OF worl
Gin the state Industrial Commission
9 to IL and | to 81 could be Heightened
without injustice to anybody 50 az K
complete your check up and proven
such disasters as this? Would II VIC
late any law that you know off,
'Only tho law Of custom II is no
done in any of the state Departments
Corouer Wagner WAS so impressed u!
the days testimony that no said after
ward 1t showed ~ wotul lack of .ys
TEN In the state Industrial comInis
sion" II was Impossible, he said. ap
parently for the commissioner To know
what their inspectors were doinG '"ru
ner Wagner said enphstically that hi
inquiry was intended to Xix responsible.
no matter how high IL might rest. Their
will he no white washing as Il result o
his inquest. ne added. for he n tn
District Attorney believe that IL Is tim
blame for such disasters was dctnitol,
settled.
While the Coroner conducted his in