Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-12-21
TO STOP CHILD LABOR.
Commissioner Erickson Makes Rec
concentrations in His An
nuaI Report.

Madison, Wis, Dec. 17.-[Special. i
Commissioner Halford Erickson of the
bureau of labor Industrial and census
statistics in his report to the governor
will make some important recommended
tions in regard to the laws concerning
child and female labor in Wisconsin.
The subject of child labor has been made
a special study by this department and
Mr.. Erickson is convinced that more
stringent laws are needed to etfectually
prevent the employment of children in
the mills and factories. The law now in
force provides that when q child under
IA years of age is found employed in a
mill or factory his discharge may be
ordered by the factory inspectors, who
work under the direction of this bureau
The discharge must take place within
thirty days of the order. When the Or
der is complied with and the child dis
missed the power of the bureau ends.
Where the Law is Weak.
This is one of the weak points of the
law, and many employers evade it by dis
missing the child for a few days. until
the Inspector has left, then re-emplOying
the person. If the subterfuge is discov-
cred it is necessary to again serve notice
on the employer to discharge the child,
an so on ad infnitum. Commissioner
Erickson has plan to obviate this diff
Guilty and he will ask the amendment of
the statute so as to make it a criminal
Oftense for any employer to have in his
employ children under the forbidden age,
and giving the labor bureau through it's
factory inspectors power to prosecute in
the name of the state employers guilty of
violating the law.
The present law protects only children
employed in mills and factories and does
not prevent the employment of children
under II years of age in any mercantile
establishment. Mr.. Erickson wants the
statute made sufficiently sweeping to pre-
vent the employment of young children
in any business, and also to protecr wom-
en- from being compelled to work more
than ten hours a day in any sphere with
the possible exception of some OF the
lighter occupations, and in these requir-
ing the employer to give extra pay for
overtime.
Women and Children Helpless.
This provision is considered especially
necessary from the fact that women and
children are practically helpless in Op-
posing the demands of their employers
Commissioner Erickson gives his views
on this point as follows:
The causes of the growth of child labor
are easily discovered. The minute subdi-
vision of labor and improved machinery has
rendered the labor of children as effective
as that of adults. although the former will
invariably accept lower wages. Children
and women are especially helpless and have
organization to protect themselves. The
present friction between employees and their
employers has largely aided the growth of
child labor, as the employers have frequent
ly found it of great assistance in resisting
the demands of labor organizations These
causes have operated to introduce the en-
ployment of women and children largely
and will continue to do so unless effective
legislation is secured to prevent it,
Owing to the activity Of the factory in
spectors there is at present but little child
labor in Wisconsin. The laws now in force
different purposes. and as a natural result
are somewhat confused. Commissioner
Erickson urges a complete revision of the
laws on this subject at the coming session
Of the legislature.
Will Take Census of Child Labor.
The plans of the department for the COM
ing year embrace complete census of the
woman and child labor of the state, to be
taken by the factory inspectors working
under its supervision who would devote
the greater part of their time to this work.
taking the names, ages. place of employ
ment, wages received, number of hours en-
ployed a day. and number of days and
months in year. as well as a large amount
of other information covering the industrial,
financial and economic condition of the
woman and child employees in the state.
This information compiled and tabuated,
would furnish a valuable fund of infOrma-
ton for the study of this question and pre-
pare the ground for future legislation hav-
ing for it's object the improvement of their