The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-09
Governor Smiths Undeserved Re
Election on His state.

Governor Smiths Undeserved Re-
Fiction on His State.
Governor SMITH is so sensible and
50 well informed on the legislative
record that 1t is peculiarly distressing
to have him talk as he did when he
said at the Syracuse convention Of the
State Federation Of Labor that:
1--WE think little of the millions
that we spend In conserving our for
ests. but at the same time we give
little thought to the States greatest
asset-the health and welfare of the
people,
The fact is that In New York State
deep thought has been given and vast
sums of money have been spent for
the preservation of the health of the
people. and no subjects to-day receive
more intelligent study than projects
for improving living and working con-
ditions 1t is folly to attempt to COM
pare the sums disbursed from the
treasury for health and welfare work
with sums disbursed for other pur-
poses, though 1t might fairly be said
that the conservation of forests,
which Governor SMITH cited, Is in
fact an incident of the general pub
lie welfare programme. The public
school system, the charitable and
curative institutions all have their
places in this work.
New York has not neglected the
public health. 1t has State Health
Department and a Public Health
Council. Each municipality has its
health department, possessing broad
powers. Epidemic and endemic dis
eases, occupational diseases and the
problems arising from them are con-
stantly under observation and study,
the fruits of which are applied for
the public benefit.
New York has done much to pro
mote the welfare of the rural popula-
ton. 1t maintains a Department OF
Farms and Markets to execute the
laws relative to the production, trans
portation, storage, marketing and dis
tribution of food, to aid in the devel'
opment of agricultural resources, to
improve conditions of life in rural
districts. 1t has an Advisory Board
for the Promotion of Agriculture. II
maintains State College of Forestry
at Syracuse University, an agricul
tural experiment station at Geneva, al
Agricultural College at Cornell Uni
versity, State schools of agriculture al
Alfred University, at Farmlngdale, Al
Morrisville, ut st. Lawrence Univer
sity, at Cobleskill. At Alfred Univer
sity 1t has State school Of clay work
ing and ceramics, and a State schoo
of agriculture and domestic science al
Delhi. These institutions are only ths
more ambitious projects for the promo
ton Of agriculture and domestic sci
ence. enterprises essential to the health
and welfare of the community.
For industrial labor the State hal
done much. The Department OF La
Dor, administered by the State Indus
trial Commission, Is divided into blu
reaus covering inspection, statistics
and information, mediation and arbi
tration, industries and immigration
employment, workmens compensation
land such other bureaus as may b
required" There is an Industrial
Council of five representatives of EN-
ployees and five representatives o
employers to advise the Industrial
Commission on. questions submitted t
It. The Industrial Commission 4
specifically charged with carrying int,
effect, by rules and regulations, tn
provisions of the labor law, with par
ticular reference to sanitation, mini
MIXING fire hazards In factories
guarding dangerous machinery. &C., I
being the policy and intent Of tn
law that all places to which the Law
applies shall be 30 constructed
equipped and conducted as to provid
reasonable and adequate protection Il
the lives, health and safety Of the per
sons employed therein" The CON
mission also has power to make spe
cial Investigations INTO ne matter o
Dangerous dusts, ga(-l, fumes an,
temperature, and for guarding agains
the same" An important provision
Of the law with regard to the power
of the Industrial Commission is thu
stated in the Legislative Manual:
The rules and regulations of the
Industrial Commission shall be sub
mitted before adoption to the Indus
Y trial Council for their consideration
and advice, and when so considered
and so adopted hAye the force and
effect of law. and may be enforced in
the same manner as the labor law.
Such rules and regulations constitute
the Industrial Code" a
We have no room even to give
catalogue of the statutes that hav
been adopted by the Legislature an
approved by Governors for the pre-