 |
| Officers Moving Casualties |
 |
| Nick Rotondo's: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire |
During the 1910’s New York City was
a major producer of the nation’s clothing industry. New York City alone made
70% of the nation’s garments. The major factories that contributed to this were
all located in downtown Manhattan. Within close proximity, and similar in
function business owners were willing to cut corners. By cutting corners, they
created unsafe environments for workers. One of these companies was the
Triangle Waist Company. It was located on the northern corner of Washington Sq.
and was a nine story building. On March 25, 1911 a fire struck inside of the
building. Along with the numerous fire hazards, locked door caused the company
to instantaneous go into flames; causing one of the worst disasters since the
beginning of the industrial revolution
There were approximately 500 people
that made up the working staff at the Triangle Waist Fire. Out of those 500 employees,
146 lost their lives to the fire of 1911. People were trapped inside the building
with nowhere to turn. The fire escapes were collapsed, the doors were locked, and
the firefighter’s ladders only reached the 6th floor. People had to
choose between being encompassed by the fire altogether, or taking a leap of
faith. The fire fighters set up nets to catch jumpers. Ultimately, they failed
and many more lost their lives. Most of the people who lost their lives were
young, Jewish immigrants who came to the United States searching for a better
life. Most of them found one similar or even worse.
Blanck and Harris, the owners of
the Triangle Waist Company hired a subcontractor who ran the building. It is
believed that they had no idea as to what the pay or conditions of their
building were. They entrusted in a subcontractor because it meant two things:
less stress and more leisure time. The company in turn was full of chaos. In a
literal sense The Triangle Waist Company was a “sweatshop”. Women worked in
close quarter and long hours only to receive little pay. They were treated less
than human and ordered around by their supervisors. One of the reasons the
doors inside of the building were locked was to keep workers in line. The
business men were afraid that they would be distracted by others and dilly
dally in the stair wells. Ultimately, locking the door caused the building to
erupt in flames and destroy the building beyond repair.
After the fire, Blanck and Harris
were indicted. They faced trial but never received any punishment because the
building was approved by the Department of Buildings prior to the fire.
Although charges were dropped they faced 23 civil suits and had to pay $75
dollars per life lost. In 1913 Max Blanck was charged with locking the doors
again. This time he had to pay $25 dollars and apologize to the people.
The Triangle Waist Fire sparked the
nation’s labor movement and improved the rights of the workers. Women workers especially
began to be acknowledged for their skill and education. The Factory
Investigating Commission (FIC) issued a series of reports to reform the modern
labor conditions. NYC legislation also passed 8 new bills. Brue Raynor, President
of Workers United said in regards to the fire, “It was an incredibly
galvanizing event for the nations labor movement and the rights of workers.
After Triangle, people were so shocked, not only by the terrible disaster, but
by the drama of these young immigrant women who were treated as less than human
by their boss.’
 |
| Women Workers |
 |
| Working Space |
 |
| Mourning Their Lost Ones |
