The evening world., 1915-11-16
Robert Adamson, Head of Fire
Department, So Declares at
Diamond Factory Inquest.
SEM. LAWSON ON HAND.
Member of Legislative Com
mittee Has Industrial Com
mission Under Scrutiny.

Fire commissioner Adams0n tesu-
fed to-day at tho inquest held by
Coroner Wagner upon the death OF
twelve girls and men In tho Diamond
factory in Williamsburg. that his de-
partment has nothing to do with Ere
escapes or fireproof stairways In fac
tories. though II has charge OF sprink-
ling systems. axes. water pals and
Interior alarms.
What are your powers TO shut a
factory that imperils lives OF people
In TT" asked Mr.. Cropsey.
IF the Fire Commissioner believes
that any building Is dangerous to life
he has tho power to have II closed"
the Commissioner answered.
Even IL It were dangerous by rea-
son OF insufficient hreproof stair
waysT
YES" replied Mr.. Adamson, II be-
lieve have that power"
Mr.. Adamson said he know the
Fire Department had power TO order
the installation of sprinklers In the
Diamond factory. but the custom was
not to require this in cases In which
proper fire-escapos and fireproof
stairways were installed.
II did not know of the hiatus in
the law regarding five-story build
ings until after tho Diamond fire."
said Mr.. Adamson.
III the Labor Department does not
take care OF tho five-story factories,
don't you believe some other depart
ment should step In and do some
thing2" Mr, Cropsey inquired.
Yes; 1t should be remedied." Mr..
Adamson answered, but the As
sistant Corporation Counsel has ad-
vised us that we cannot order In
sprinklers where other means OF
iafety are provided"
The record showed. Mr.. Adamsor
said. that the Fire Department las
January ordered fire drills in the Ola
mond factory building. but IL AaC
20 men to supervise the installation
of interior fire alarms on which tn,
drills depend. therefore no prosecu
ton was made for failure to comply
Have you any rule against locked
doors In factories?" he was asked.
Yes. directed the flremer
wherever thoy found locked dco
to open it and make a report" wa
the answer.
The possibility OF ousting the pres
ent State Industrial Commissioner
from office and OF resembling the Law
abolishing the Office of Coroner wa
, foreshadowed to-day by State Senate
. Robert II. Lawson. He Is a membe
of the Thompson Public Service Com
mittee Of the Legislature and he Is at
tending the inquest held by Corone
Wagner.
Senator Lawson represents tn
Ninth District in Brooklyn and h
asked the Coroner to supply copy o
the testimony to the Thompson Com
mittee.
II am surprised" he said, ito rea'
Of the ignorance Of the law shown b,
the Industrial Commissioners in thei
testimony"
The Commissioners who have testi
fed thus far are James NJ. Lynch. Ed
ward p. Lyon. William III. ii. Roger
and Louis Wizard.
6 The State Industrial Commlssio
was created by the Legislature durin
recess" Senator Lawson continued
This was done to save 100000 by cor
solidatlng the Labor and Compensa
I ton Departments.
a IL should not be surprised II IN
s State Senate after reading the test
mony at this inquest should hesitat
4 to confirm the appointment OF thes
Industrial Commissioners or a CON
plant may DO made to the Governor.
!. incidentally. should like to kno
n who will take the place OF the Cor
: oner after the first Of the year. TIL
n office has been abolished after thu
" date. / don't sec how medical o,
: amincr or a Magistrate can rendt
d tho service performed by such an In
t. yestlgatlon as this. The LegislatuI
., may repeal the act abolishing the OF
- fee OF Coroner
o Deputy Industrial Commissions
= lanes l.. Gernon testified that he 81
erclsed a general supervision over II
work OF factory inspectors. and bega
D. to tell about a card system he had II
d ougurated to keep track OF In
spections and compliances with order
a "Yes," exclaimed District Attorne