The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-18

Labor Commit ,>icI er 'nwers sud
Yesterday that the compulsory educa-
ton law, under which certificates were
granted, allowing children to work in
factories a certain length of time each
year, was working admirably.
At present there was about one
fourth as many children employed in
factories as four years ago. The num-
Der Of applications from parents want
ing permission to put their children to
work had not increased, but, in a large
majority of cases, the excuse had not
seemed sufficient to the department to
make it POSSIBLE for them to grant
such certificates. In many cases the
father had secured work, and unless
it could be concluSlvely shown that
there was a crying necessity for the
earnings of the minor to support the
family, the applications in all cases
We're refused.
Mr.. Powers said out Of every twenty
minors seeking employment in factories
and stores, only one secured work.
The revival in the various depart
ments Of commercial and industrial life
did not have tendency to decrease the
number of children employed in the
| factories of the state.
The increased business increased the
| chances for employment, and also in
| creased the number Of applicants.
| On the other hand many parents Sc
curing work had found it no longer
| necessary to keep their children at
work, putting them back in school
| again.
| Mr.. Powers says the number Of ap
plications remain about the same now
! as last year, owing to the increased
chances which was offset by the num-
Der of children put back In school by
| their parents.
J4r1 CT ,~
people and the factory authorities avoid
| employment of child labor in all cases.
They are quite pleased with the law
regulating employment of minors, as
| it gives them an excuse for refusing
employment of children.
A prominent department store man
in Minneapolis recently told him that
he had an average of ten applications
! day from charitable people of the
city, before the law went into effect
asking for the employment Of certain
children on the grounds that their par
| ents were destitute. If he did not en-
ploy them they were offended, and as
far as he was concerned the practice Of
| charitable organizations and people Of
making application for the employment
of poor children had been largely re-
sponsible for the number Of children
employed in his store.
AS the law stood now it gave him a
good excuse for refusing the requests
Of these people.
In the Twin Cities nearly all the ap-
plications for certificates had been in
vestigated by the department. where
In country towns the local board Of
| education looked into the matter. The
child was required to attend school for
three months in the year. or the parent
| must show that the employment of the
minor was necessary. Where the age
was less than fourteen years under no
circumstances could the minor be en-
| ployed in factory or store.
The law under which they are work.
| ing, Mr.. Powers says, allows the minor,
If he be under fourteen, to work in a
store during vacation months, but alb
solutely prohibits factories to employ
| children under fourteen.
| Mr. Powers says unless people have
lied as to the ages Of their children,
the intent Of the law has been fully
carried out in this state.
Three-fourths Of the children employ
| ed in factories were working on school
certificates. Mr.. Powers thought this
very favorable sign, as 1t indicated
that parents were at least giving their
children three months of schooling
during the year.
About 1900 children were working
on these certificates in the factories of
| the state at present.