Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-01-01
REPORT OF STATE FACTORY
INSPECTOR.

INSPECTOR.
There were no less than % fatal in
dustrial accidents in Vermont during
the biennial period, or almost one every
month"; heavy toll to pay, says the
Burlington News.
The figures are those given by Allen
Calhoun, State factory inspe ctor in his
report 1t represents two years Of
faithful, unassuming and useful work.
There were a great number of minor
industrial accidents, besides the %
fatalities. Thus circular saws used on
wood, bone and metal caused II acct
dents during the past 20 months. Some
of them were slight in character, but
others serious enough to cause ampu-
tation of one or more fingers, and one
caused the loss of hand, while another
proved fatal.
By way of remedy, Mr.. Calhoun
wants the use of safety appliances
made compulsory on employers, and
compulsory education of employees. On
this latter point Mr.. Calhoun says
pointedly, "No one working in a fac
tory is responsible to himself alone.
The spirit of Safety First must be
cooperative. You may pay the price
of your own carelessness yourself, and
pay heavily.
In way it is more honest to pay
the price yourself; but remember that
if you have a family they must pay
too; and if you, even indirectly, cause
the injury of another man, you are
responsible for a crime, not in the
eyes of the law, perhaps, but in the
opinion OF your felow-worker and of
those who suffer as result of your
bad example.
The enforcement of the statute has
terial reduction of the hours of labor
for women, and the present working
hours will compare favorably with
those of other States. There has been
little occasion for arbitrary action in
the enforcement of the statute as with
few exceptions the employers are mani
Testing disposition to comply without
second notice
The enforcement of the provisions of
the act relating to child labor. particu-
larry the employment of minors under
the age of l6 years in certain hazardous
employments, has met with much favor.
1t is noted that only II minors under the
age of IL years have been found en-
ployed in occupations prohibited by
law. In these cases the employers
have Immediately complied with the law
and discharged such minors when the
provisions of the law We're called to
their attention.
The most difficult part of his work,
Mr. Calhoun says, is that which relates
to mill closets. The general public, he
declares, has no idea whatever of the
hideous conditions which exist. He has
condemned large number of these
closets and expects to have sanitary
closets installed in II mills throughout
the State.
A number of the mills are equipped
with mopern water closets and sewer
age connections, yet they are in no
sense sanitary, as the operatives have
little or no idea of sanitation and no
regard for the cleanliness of the premi-
ses, and the persons in charge give them
little or no attention.
Mr.. Calhoun's recommendations in
cude the prohibition of ladders as fire
escapes and the extension of the fire
escape system; doors to open out and
stairs to be provided with handrails and
elevators with guards; and machinery
should be provided with guards.
These seem reasonable and moderate
precautionary measures, and they should
have due weight.