The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-02
Mr.. D. A. TOMKINS' BILL
No Child Under 10 to be Employed in
a Cotton Factory
PROVISIONS FOR COMPULSORY EDUCATION
Those Who Formulate the Law Must Have in
Mind Only the Improvement Of
Human Conditions.
Charlotte observer.)

The development of manufactures in
North Carolina naturally brings one face
to face with the same proposition and
problems that have engaged the atten-
tion and the interest of other sections OF
the country that have already developed
large manufacturing interests. 1t stands
to reason that the State cannot escape
the responsibilities that have fallen upon
other sections in which large manufactur-
ing interests have been developed.
Two years ago there was considerable
discussion of this subject in The Obser
yer and in a communication to the paper
Mr. ID. A. Tompkins outlined some fea
lures which he thought would have to
be covered in any legislation that might
be enacted on the subject.
Recognizing the general interest in the
subject an Observer reporter yesterday
asked Mr.. Tompkins for his views upon
the subject OF a law TO be passed at the
next meeting of the Legislature and was
given the following as basis Of what
might be formulated into proper law:
An Act Regulating Labor and Other Mat
ters in Textile manufacturing Estab-
lishments.
IT Is hereby enacted.
HOURS OF LABOR.
l. Sixty-six hours shall constitute a
weeks work for all persons employed in
textile manufacturing establishments,
whether owned by corporations, partner
ships or individuals. BY special contract
males Is years old, and over, may be en-
poyed overtime at extra pay.
Females Of all ages and males under Is
years of age shall not be employed to
work in any textile manufacturing estab-
lishment more than &C hours in one week.
Time lost by break downs or other ac-
cident mot exceeding five hours in one
weel) may be made up inside OF two
weeks from time of such accident Time
lost by shut down at request of opera
tives (not exceeding five hours in any
one week, may be made up in the next
week.
A textile manufacturing establishment
shall be considered to mean any factory
where the fibre, or yarn, or cloth or knit
goods are dyed; provided that ten opera
tives or more are employed
For each breach of these regulations
as to hours of labor. the employer shall
be fined SO.
QUIT NOTICE.
2. Whoever accepts employment in
textile manufacturing plant shall give
two weeks notice, in writing, before quit
ting such employment. An employe who
may quit without such notice shall not be
employed in any other textile manufac-
turing establishment within one year.
Whenever such notice is given and the
term OF notice properly worked, or offered
to be worked, then the employer shall
give certificate to the effect that the
notice has been worked or waived and
that the operative quit in good standing
For each breach of these regulations
the owner OF the textile manufacturing
plant making the breach shall be fined
$25 for each oflense.
CHILD LABOR AND SCHOOLS.
g. No child under 10 years old shall be
employed in textile manufacturing es-
tabli3hment.
No child under u years old shall be
employed in textile manufacturing es-
tablishment during the term OF an avail
able school.
No child under II years OF age shall
be employed or work in textile manu-
featuring establishment in the month of
August
All children from to II years old.
whose parents or whose brothers or sis
ters work in textile manufacturing es-
tabiishment, shall be required to attend
school during the school term Of an avail
able school,
II oei'd less than 10 years old shall
be employed in textile manufacturing
establishment, then the employer shall
be fined so for each offence and the pa
rent shall be fined So for each offence.
If child fail to attend school as re-
| CURED, the parent shall be fined s. for
| each offence
F2itre to pay the fines as stated shall
IN ri her case subject the person to i'm
prisonment at the discretion of the court
tat for not exceeding ten days for any
one offence.
! q corporation offend and fail or re-
| fuse TO ray the fine, the obstreperous Of
! hccr shall become liable personally 10
| the rison punishment. When navment
Of fine Is refused the court NAV deter
| mine who the o5streDerous officer is
| INDoLENT VAMPIRE PARENTS
1. Whenever any man shall put all his
| children or any of them in a textile man
| ufacturing establishment and himself live
| off the proceeds of their labor withou. Ia :
| boring himself, or with less labor nv him
self than is adequate to his own support
| then such parent shall be adiudged i va
| grant and, upon conviction shall he nun
/ fehpd aft fha diccratinx, -