We accept your welcome in the same kind spirit it is tendered. I assure you it is appreciated to the fullest extent, and I have no doubt we shall carry away with us many pleasing recollections of this beautiful city and its enterprising inhabitants. Permit me to again sincerely thank you for the kind words you have spoken. In the absence of Secretary-Treasurer Evan H. Davis of Ohio, President Morse appointed Miss Mary O'Reilly of Pennsylvania secretary pro tem. Roll-call of officers showed the following present: Chas. H. Morse, Michigan, President. Robert Barber, Ontario, First Vice-President. James A. Armstrong, Ohio, Second Vice-President. Reading of minutes of previous convention was dispensed with, and the annual address of the President was read. PRESIDENT MORSE'S ADDRESS: Ladies and Gentlemen: After the lapse of a year we meet again in annual convention. As I look over this convention I miss the faces of some who in past conventions we have all been glad to meet, not simply because we prized their friendship, but because of the zeal they always manifested in promoting the interest of this association and their intelligent efforts to make our conventions successful. While we cherish the memory of those who have stepped down and -out, we may well emulate the example they have left us. It cannot be otherwise so long as a factory inspector's position is subject to the vicissitudes of politics in the various States. I have no doubt, however, that those who meet with us now for the first time will have the same interest in the work committed to them, and will become as useful as those who have preceded them. In behalf of the association, I bid them a cordial welcome to this convention, trusting they will have no hesitation in participating in our deliberations, and that the acquaintances which may be formed here will be mutually beneficial to them and to us. I regret very much that the changes which have occurred in the State of Ohio have deprived this association of the services of Evan H. Davis, who for several years has been the efficient Secretary of the Association. This convention should choose his successor as early as possible. It affords me much pleasure to meet so many inspectors in this convention. It is an evidence of interest in the work and a desire to acquire increased knowledge from others engaged in performing a similar duty. I need not remind inspectors that participation in the deliberations of this convention is the privilege of all. Shall I go farther and say that whoever contributes most to make the exercises interesting will be best satisfied and best repaid for the time spent here? It is not my purpose to consume much time in prescribing the duties of an inspector. My predecessors in years that are gone have covered the ground very fully, and with marked ability. I should simply be "threshing over old straw were I to do it at this time. The increased use of machinery and the increased rapidity with which it is operated, to say nothing of shops crowded with people several floors above the ground, have demanded a system of inspection for the protection of these people. Accidents will continue to happen, even under the most rigid inspection possible. Each inspector should feel that the reputation for efficiency of "State inspection" is in his keeping, and give to his work his most intelligent efforts. The day has gone by, in all the States in which inspection has been the law for a few years, when the inspector is considered an interloper by proprietors of our largest manufacturing plants. Indeed in very many an official inspection is relied on very much to insure the proper conditions of machinery and safety appliances. Very much of the existing kindly feeling is due to the intelligent manner in which inspectors have performed their work. It is imperative that inspectors must be ladies and gentlemen, capable of sustaining the dignity of their position, giving the least possible offense even under provocation to do. otherwise. That "a soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger," is emphatically true in the every-day life of a factory inspector. In a Our laws make factory inspectors executive officers, and the rights of employers, as well as employes, are entitled to full consideration. If the inspector would preserve his usefulness, he will not unnecessarily antagonize either. few words, all the advice I would give a new inspector may be comprised in this: Use all the common sense with which the great Creator has endowed you. Remember the teachings of the Golden Rule, Do as you would be done by," and comparatively little trouble will attend the discharge of your official duties. the key to the success of our most efficient inspectors. It is The last two conventions have each adopted the following resolution : "Resolved, That a committee to consist of the President and Secretary of the Association, and one other member, be authorized to submit as early as possible a list of subjects upon which papers are to be prepared for the next convention; that the same be properly apportioned to the different States and Provinces represented in this body and to be distributed in printed form at least three months prior to the date of the next meeting of the Association." I am not aware that it has been the custom (it certainly has not in any of the conventions I have attended) to appoint "the one other member." Indeed, the resolution fails to indicate by whom this "one other member" shall be appointed. It has also been the rule to elect officers for the ensuing year and fix the place for the next meeting, near the close of each convention. In the hurry to get away after final adjournment little, if any, opportunity is afforded for conference. As a result, the whole matter of program for next convention is conducted by correspondence which is too often quite unsatisfactory. I believe the best results will be attained by electing officers for the ensuing year as early as the second day of the convention. This will give opportunity for personal consultation in arranging a program of papers or addresses for the next convention, Owing to changes in the force in different States, arranging the program for this convention has been, I think, unusually difficult. Quite early I met Inspectors Barber and Brown of the Province of Ontario in Detroit. Secretary Davis was invited to attend this meeting, but having been superseded as inspector he quite naturally failed to be present. At this meeting local arrangements for the convention were made. Soon after I notified the chief inspectors of the several States that their States would furnish a certain number of papers or addresses for this convention, leaving it to the chief inspectors to designate the subjects. The responses have been quite pleasing and satisfactory to me. I have no doubt the committee to whom the list of subjects will be referred will be able to arrange an interesting and valuable program. In the official notices for this convention, I ventured to suggest that each State should make a brief report as to the scope of factory inspection; what has been accomplished and what amendments to existing laws are desirable. I believe these reports will form a valuable part of the proceedings of the convention. The jurisdiction of factory inspectors is quite limited in most of the States. In some of the States it is supplemented by an inspection controlled by municipal government. I am convinced that State inspection of all manufacturing places and public buildings is far more adequate than any municipal inspection. I also believe this Association can add very much to the efficiency of inspection, in many States where inspection laws have recently been enacted, by the information which the reports will furnish, and which, perhaps, will be obtainable in no other way. While the reports made here may be verbal, they should be reduced to writing and furnished to the Secretary for publication at an early date. We, as factory inspectors, have to do with all kinds of safety appliances for the protection of employes of manufacturing establishments. Inventors are continually originating new inventions. I have no doubt many manufacturers and inventors of these safety appliances would appreciate an invitation to attend these conventions and exhibit models of their goods. While it may not be practicable to extend a formal invitation to them to be present, individual inspectors may very properly invite the exhibition at our conventions of appliances which tend to promote the health or safety of employes. I think it proper to recommend to this convention certain amendments to the constitution and by-laws of the Association, which, I believe, will be beneficial. At present there is no one with authority to speak for or represent the Association. The constitution provides for the election of officers usual in such associations, and prescribes their duties. So far, the President and Secretary have assumed to speak for the Association, but with no authority. Quite an amount of money passes through the hands of the Secretary-Treasurer, but in the last two years all the information the convention has of the amount or the manner of expenditure is embraced in the report of the Finance Committee, covering only four lines of the proceedings each year. The report at the Philadelphia convention fails to state amount received, how it was expended, whether there was a balance on the Treasurer's hands, or whether the Association was bankrupt. The report at the Providence convention showed a balance of $70.65 in Treasurer's hands. There is no record that either report was adopted by the convention. Later, however, the convention voted $50.00 to the Secretary for services performed. I recommend that the constitution be amended to provide for an executive committee, which shall also be an auditing committee, with power to act for the Association at all times except during conventions. I think this committee should consist of three members, besides the President and Secretary, who shall be exofficio members. The chairman of the committee should be from the State where the next convention will be held. In case any member of the committee shall cease to be an inspector, his place shall be filled by the person succeeding him as an inspector. With an executive committee as I have indicated, there can be no break in the organization of the Association. "Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well." The benefits to be derived from these conventions, properly conducted, cannot be overestimated. I believe that under the direction of an executive committee, as I have indicated, every convention will be a success. A meeting of a majority of the committee can be held quite easily, and passed round from year to year, making the tax on any one State so small it will not be felt. I make these recommendations believing them for the best. The convention will decide as to their merits. I am confident these conventions have been, and will continue to be, of great benefit to factory inspection. The published proceedings indicate only a part of the opportunity for broadening this work. It is the comparison of views, the questions discussed and the information obtained in private conversation in little groups outside of regular sessions, no record of which can be made, that contribute greatly to the good accomplished. The tendency will be toward more of a uniformity in the laws of the different States, so far as conditions will permit. This should be one important object of these conventions. I congratulate this convention on its auspicious beginning in this beautiful city of Toronto. It is fortunate that the local arrangements have been in such capable hands as those of Inspectors Barber and Brown. Before the convention closes it will appreciate their untiring efforts to promote the pleasures of our stay here. Need I remind you, ladies and gentlemen, that while partaking of the pleasures afforded here, it must be remembered this convention is here for business which demands its full share of time? On motion of Mr. Milligan of Pennsylvania, the address of President Morse was received and referred to the Committee (to be appointed) on Resolutions for report upon its recommendations. On motion of Mr. Campbell of Pennsylvania, the President appointed a committee of three on program: James Campbell of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Florence Kelley of Illinois, Robert Barber of Ontario. 1 On motion of Mr. Emsley of Pennsylvania, the President appointed a committee of five on resolutions: Daniel O'Leary of New York, M. N. Baker of Pennsylvania, J. W. Knaub of Ohio, Mrs. A. P. Stevens of Illinois, W. F. Tripp of Michigan. Adjourned at 12:10 P. M., to reconvene at 2 P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION, Tuesday, Sept. 1. Called to order by President Morse at 2:30 P. M. The Committee on Program reported as follows: Mr. President and Members of the Convention: We recommend that the same order of business be followed as in previous conventions, and that the remaining sessions of the convention be held as follows: Tuesday, 2:30 to 5 P. M. and 7:30 to 10 P. M.; Wednesday, 9 to 12 A. M.; Thursday, 9 to 12 A. M. and 2 to 5 P. M. We recommend that, in the reading of papers, an order be followed that will give opportunity for discussion of papers of the same character at one time; that is, that all technical papers be read in succession, the papers on child labor following, then the papers on sweat-shops and bake-shops, closing with miscellaneous papers. JAMES CAMPBELL, Chairman. FLORENCE KELLEY, Secretary. On motion of Mr. Armstrong of Ohio, the report was adopted. President Morse called for the papers in the order named by the committee. Delegates having technical papers not having arrived, the papers upon child labor were offered. Mrs. A. P. Stevens of Illinois read the following: THE WORKING CHILD AND THE INSPECTOR. Mr. President and Members of the Convention: Papers and discussions in previous conventions of this body have shown that there is decided difference of opinion among inspectors as to what constitutes the full duty of the inspector. Some hold that his duty is discharged when he confines his work strictly to the enforcement of the factory laws now on the statute books, and that an inspector is both mischievious and culpable who takes part in any public protest against existing industrial conditions. These say, in effect, that the only duty of the inspector is to inspect. Happily, their practice is not quite as rigid as the theory. Others, acknowledging that the first duty of the inspector is to inspect, believe that the faithful and efficient inspector will not only see the thing that is, or should be, done under the existing law, but also the thing that ough be done, |