FIRST DAY'S SESSION.. CORRESPONDENCE AND INVITATIONS. FACTORY INSPECTION IN ILLINOIS, AND ITS BENEFITS. Paper by FACTORY INSPECTION WORK. Paper by W. B. Anderson, of N. Y., 32 SWEATSHOPS IN PENNSYLVANIA. Paper by Wm. J. Hughes.. SWEATSHOPS IN MASSACHUSETTS. Paper by Inspector Plunkett. 36 SWEATER AND SWEATING. Paper by W. J. Nealey, of New York.. 39 GENERAL FACTORY INSPECTION. By Mrs. A. E. Leisenring, of BAKESHOPS IN OHIO. By Theodore Wagner. 47 In view of the fact that there exist in the several States and Canada departments of Inspection of Factories, Workshops, and Public Buildings, and as an Association has been organized under the name of "International Association of Factory Inspectors,' the following Constitution and By-Laws are for the government of the Association : CONSTITUTION. Sec. 1. This Association shall be known by the name of the "International Association of Factory Inspectors.' Sec. 2. The officers shall consist of a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Secretary-Treasurer and an Assistant Secretary. Sec. 3. The officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Association and shall hold office until their successors are elected, which shall be for a period of one year. Sec. 4. The President shall preside at meetings of the Association; when he is absent a Vice-President shall act in his place. Sec. 5. The Secretary shall keep a correct account of the proceedings of the Association and such transactions as may be deemed necessary, and shall also act as Treasurer of the organization. He shall keep an itemized account of all moneys received and disbursed by him during the year, and shall present his report in writing to the convention. Sec. 6. Each department shall be assessed such amount annually as may be determined upon at the annual meetings of the Association. Sec. 7. The membership of the Association shall consist of the inspectors of the various departments, and such persons of other departments whose duties are the inspection of factories, public buildings, and workshops. Sec. 8. Any member of the Association shall be eligible to office, provided such person shall be present at the annual meeting. Sec. 9. There shall be a committee of one from each State, to be appointed by the President previous to the annual meeting of the Association, to whom shall be presented the papers that are to be read. The committee shall draw up a program and submit the same to the convention at its first session. Sec. 10. The President shall, at the opening of the first session of the convention each year, appoint two committees, as follows: An Auditing Committee of three members and a Committee on Resolutions of not less than three members. The Auditing Committee shall examine the books, papers, vouchers, receipts, etc., of the Secretary-Treasurer, and shall report thereon, in writing, to the convention. At the beginning of each convention the chief of each delegation present shall furnish the Committee on Resolutions with a copy of all factory laws enacted by the different States during the preceding year, and of all bills of similar import pending legislation, the same to be arranged by the committee in such order as their provisions shall designate, and thus be reported to the convention with such remarks and suggestions as the committee may deem necessary. Sec. 11. Order of business shall be: Roll-call of officers and delegates; reading of minutes; reports of committees; unfinished business; new business; election of officers. Sec. 12. This constitution shall not be altered or amended unless by a majority vote of the convention. The deliberations of the convention shall be governed by Cushing's Manual. PROCEEDINGS. Twelfth Annual Convention of the International Association of Factory FIRST DAY'S SESSION. MORNING.-Promptly at 10 o'clock, A. M., September 5, 1898, President Rufus R. Wade, of Boston, called the convention to order in its twelfth annual session, and after a few pleasantries by the Chair, Mr. Wade appointed Inspectors Marriam and Moore a committee to wait upon His Excellency, Governor Wolcott, of Massachusetts, and inform that gentleman that the convention had now assembled and was awaiting to receive him. While this committee was departing for the governor's office, the Chair appointed another committee, consisting of Messrs. Halstrick and White, to await upon the mayor, His Honor Josiah Quincy, and inform him that the convention had convened and was awaiting his presence. GOVERNOR WOLCOTT'S WELCOME. Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Convention: I have come into your convention without a moment of preparation, and must extend to you a brief and informal but a most cordial and hearty welcome. I am glad to see so many different States represented, as shown by the placards in the various parts of this convention hall, and representing still further the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. I consider that you are engaged in one of the most important departments of state. It is indeed a grand work, and is one in which women can take an active part as well as men, and we are all proud to know that old Massachusetts has stepped into the foremost ranks in the advancement of this work. A State like Massachusetts finds employment and a livelihood for a majority of its people within the confines of the factory walls, consequently their surroundings should be made as safe and as healthful as possible, and the efforts in this line in our State have not been in vain. The governor next referred to the child-labor problem in Massachusetts, and stated that at one time the evils were very numerous and apparent, and were being complained of from many sources and by the commonwealth in general; but that years of effort and guarded legislation, upheld by a faithful Department of Inspection, had nearly eradicated this evil from the confines of the State. The governor spoke very complimentary both of the child-labor laws of the State and their enforcement, concluding this sentiment with the remark that he did not believe that the work had yet been fully completed, and that further advancement was still to be expected. Governor Wolcott next devoted a few moments in covering the scope of the work and duties of the association in a very pleasant manner; concluding his remarks by reassuring those assembled of a most hearty welcome from the commonwealth of Massachusetts, calling their attention to the many points of interest, of pleasure, and business, in Boston and vicinity, urging the members not to work too hard or spend so much time in active session but that they might be privileged to see Boston before their return home. In a few well-chosen words in behalf of the convention assembled, President Wade thanked the governor for his very kind, generous, and encouraging remarks, at the conclusion of which Governor Wolcott departed for the executive office. MAYOR QUINCY'S WORDS OF WELCOME. At this juncture a special committee presented the Honorable Josiah Quincy, mayor of Boston, who was very neatly introduced to the convention by President Wade. Mayor Quincy preluded his remarks by saying: It gives me great pleasure to extend to your convention most cordial words of welcome in the name of Boston. Mayor Quincy continued, in substance, that as a member of the legislature he had become most deeply interested in the work of factory inspection, and that he had taken active steps with those of his commonwealth, which was leading the way of its sister States in this class of legislation. Early during the agitation of this subject in Massachusetts, he had recognized the need of legislation of this character; and he was pleased with his State and glad to know that its representatives were both wise and bold enough to pass the laws they have, even when many of the commonwealth had said they were going too far and would rue their action. But such had not proved the case. It was certainly the duty of some State to lead, and he was both glad and proud of the fact that this duty and honor had befallen the commonwealth of Massachusetts. That it was a matter of credit to every citizen of this manufacturing State to know that it upheld and advanced the laws that were drafted in the interest of those who toil and spin in the factories. He was struck with the contrast of the bettered condition of to-day over that of a few years ago, and while we had to follow the example of English laws for factory and working people, we were now rapidly approaching a standard equal to them, and we all hoped that we would surpass them. He mentioned the diversified interests of our country and the different conditions of our working people in various States, and stated that while we sometimes seemed to move very slowly, yet when an idea takes hold of the American people, it bears fruition and we make up in rapidity after we have started. He expressed his great pleasure in being privileged to meet the official and chosen representatives of so many States, and it was gratifying to him to "bespeak the welcome of Boston, whose people, I assure you, desire me to extend to you a most honest and hospitable welcome." Mayor Quincy said that he hoped that the deliberations of this body will result in the betterment of those employed in the factories of the country, and likewise result in the establishment of even better laws. He expressed his pleasure at seeing so many ladies represented in the State and national work, whose efforts must result in much good for the working women of our factories and shops, and he ventured the assertion that these inspections and investigations would be imperfect and incomplete without the aid of women. The mayor concluded his remarks by saying: I trust that your stay will be both a beneficial and pleasant one and that the results of your convention will produce a spirit that will press on with this work with a renewed determination. In behalf of the convention, President Wade very neatly thanked the mayor for his kind and practical remarks, after which his Honor bowed his departure. PRESIDENT WADE'S ANNUAL ADDRESS. President Wade then read the following address, which elicited the greatest interest and was most happily received: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Convention: Ten years ago the State Factory Inspectors held their second annual convention in this city. On that occasion it was my pleasant privilege to welcome the members of the convention. To-day, as we assemble in our twelfth annual gathering, I am indeed happy to greet you and to extend to you a most cordial welcome to Boston. Changes have been made in your respective departments, familiar faces I miss, but others have been appointed to fill their places, with whom we can exchange experiences of our common work note the progress which has been made in our respective fields of labor, and derive such encouragement as we may from the interchanging of ideas. |