New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-08
Two Employers in
ShirtwaiSt Fac
tory Arrested.
FACTORY PERIL
Is WIDESPREAD
Disasters Are Tempted in
Scores of Buildings by
Defying Orders.

IJNt IA - -
cbarrcd and bolted door in the
vgliamsburr factory where eight
..rls and four men died terribly on
Saturday afternoon stood yesterday
90 mute evidence Of how negligence
.r.pred and killed. In the light of
Yesterdays Investigation the fire
seemed virtually a duplication of the
triangle tragedy of four years ago.
The only conspicuous difference
was that fewer lives were lost in the
fire Of Saturday-and that was due
entirely 70 the fact that the building
housed fewer employees. There de-
yeloped the same old story of neg
lected safeguarding and the denial
Of responsibility by those in whom
responsibility was vested.
With it all comes the most amaz-
ing revelation from the Fire Depart
ment that there are scores Of
buildings in the greater city in a
similar condition 10 the Diamond
plsnt and that there is no remedy at
hand
Commissioner Adamson declared
Yesterday that it would be impossi-
BE TO change the situation within
ten years. 1t was made clear that
his department and the state De
partment Of Labor had not enough
men to enforce a correction Of the
Violations
Trying TO Shift Blame.
There was a strong tendency yes
teriay by those not involved to
fasten the blame upon the response
be officials. and these, in turn, were
ready with explanations fixing the
blame upon the intangible nonentity
Inadequate departmental staffs.
James c. Cropsey. District Attorney
Of Kings County, was much incensed at
alleged negligence of the State
Labor Department, and issued sub
punas for three officials to appear to-
day before Coroner Ernest Wagner, at
his Office, at Hoyt and Fulton streets.
The men called by the District At
torney are Commissioner James NJ.
Lynch Of the State Labor Department,
Frederick II. Cunningham, attorney for
;ha, department. and George A. Ros-
quist, the Inspector said to be respon-
s.ble for the district embracing the
burned plant Of the Diamond Candy
Company.
The Investigation Of the District At
torney IS really a continuation Of the
work started by his assistants. Rubin
Wilson and Louis Goldstein. on Satur-
day. while the Diamond factory was
still smouldering
Nr Cropscy Is particularly anxious
70 get complete explanation from
these three men why they permitted
the owner Of the Diamond factory TO
continue TO defy their orders TO COM
ply with the law in the matter Of safe
guarding the building in its entirety.
Condemned Nine Months Ago.
The men will be asked why they per
mitted nine months 20 elapse after
Diamond had been ordered TO make
the necessary changes and improve
ments in his building 20 protect thr
lives Of the persons in his own en-
ploy and IN the employ Of his tenants.
Mr. Cropsev learned yesterday that
ihc violation order had been filed
against Diamond in January. and the
work o. putting the building in proper
shape had begun only on Thursday. two
GAYS before the building burned. He
called attention 20 the fact that dur
lnP that long interval the State Labor
Department had the power to close the
building, and in addition had the right
70 call upon him for legal assistance
la the event Of obstacles being put in
iteir way in the enforcement Of the
law.
Mr. Cropsey said the investigation
by his Office would be an exhaustive
probe into the violations existing at
ne Diamond plant before the fire. and
mat Il would be continued until the
responsibility is definitely established. 1.
A stout traDdoor which was bolted
over the emergency stairway exit on
me fourth floor, occupied by the Essex /
shirt Company, is thought 20 be re-
sponsible for the inability Of many TO
get down 20 the lower floors. where eS- /
cape was comparatively easy
ms door was supposed 70 remain /
hung up and unbolted while there were /
occupants in the building. but it's
eharred frames showed yesterday that !
y was fast at the time Of the FIRE. /, /
was taken from the ruins yesterday 10 |
'ne Office Of Fire Commissioner Adam /
son.
Coroner Ernest c. Wagner. Of Brook |
hn. late last night ordered the arrest /
o. samuel Simon, Of 740 Rockaway /
avenue, Brooklyn. and Samuel Barken.
VI Do2 South Second Street. Brooklyn. I
1Sners Of the Essex Shirt Company. I
bo'h were held as material witnesses 4
70 appear before the Coroner's jury /
Mnich IS inquiring into the deaths OF I
As Diamond factory.
wagner had the arrests made when /
ne learned from various witnesses that /
large percentage Of the deaths were |
S'fectiy caused by the boiling OF the /
soor leading from the third 20 the
fourth noor
barker admitted 20 Chief Brophy Of !
-ntIe. ] smnnOsc N is alMnYs omen. j |