New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-10
Breaking Down the Labor Law.

There are two main points IN the Dill
amending generally the labor law, on
which Governor Whitman will give hear
ing to-day. One is the provision IN
serted for the benefit OF canneries, per-
hitting them to work women and minors
over eighteen years of age twelve hours a
day, including Sundays during the rush
season. The second permits any manu-
facturer whose machinery breaks down to
disregard the laws provisions regarding
hours Of labor. by the permission Of the
State Industrial Commission. All other
changes made by the bill are minor and
technical, and the labor world and the
State of New York would never be dis
rupted if they were not heard of again.
This bill. then, should stand or fall on
the two provisions cited. And those pro
visions are dangerous, vicious, tending 20
break down the protection to workers
which has been adopted as a cardinal pol
lev of the state and has been carefully
and specifically set forth in its laws
The privilege the Gamers seek is asked
for by class of employers now favored
beyond all others in the matter of long
hours of labor because the uncertainty of
their business Is known. What they ask
further is unjustifable. They demand
the right to force girls and women to
work eighty-four hours a week amid noisy,
unsanitary surroundings, under terrific
strain. They want to be able to compel
their employees, women and girls mostly,
to work up to midnight, returning to their
homes. frequently along lonely rural roads,
after that hour. They ask this because
emergencies" arise when crops ripen sud
denly and there is loss if the Gamers
cannot handle all the peas and beans and
tomatoes the farmers bring to them.
The remedy is not to overwork the
women and girls, to the detriment of their
health. 1t is to do as some Gamers now
do-to refuse to contract TO handle max
imum of produce in excess of the capacity
of the cannery working to the full extent
allowed by the present law. Working
that way, the Gamers output might be
somewhat limited, and his profits limited
TO that extent; but he would stamp HIM
self as an enlightened employer, DESTROYS
of accepting an intelligent, wise state pol
lev and capable Of recognizing the rights
of employees to rest, recreation and health.
As to the second point, it is more dan
gerous than the privilege the Gamers
want. because more farreaching. The
condition Of machinery in a factory is dis
tinctly the manufacturer concern. If
il breaks down he should stand whatever
inconvenience or loss results from that
failure, not the employees, who under this
provision could be compelled to work over
time. without any protection of the nifty
four-hour -a-week law. The required sane
ton of the Industrial Commission would
be. at best, but nominal protection for
the workers, for, unfortunately, 1t IS well
known. a matter of official record, that
the Gamers have flagrantly violated or
evaded similar requirements as to per-
mission of the Labor Department for varl-
ations from the letter of the law.
Limitation of the hours of labor IS
wise and sound policy, intended to con
serve the states greatest wealth, the
health and working ability Of its people.
Attempts like this TO break down the
statutes provisions are an insidious, re-
dictionary endeavor to exploit the workef
for the benefit of the employers pocket,
regardless of the larger economic and hu-
manitarian aspects of the situation. Gov
ernor Whitman should veto this bill, as he
promised last year to veto the equally
vicious canneries legislation then sought f
it ever came before him.