Smith was first elected to the New York State Assembly ( New York Co. , 2nd D. ) in 1904 , and was repeatedly elected to office , serving through 1915 . After being approached by Frances Perkins , an activist to improve labor practices , Smith sought to improve the conditions of factory workers . He served as vice chairman of the state commission appointed to investigate factory conditions after 146 workers died in the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire . Meeting the families of the deceased Triangle factory workers left a strong impression on him . Together with Perkins , Smith crusaded against dangerous and unhealthy workplace conditions and championed corrective legislation
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
Al Smith