New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-30
CONDITIONS DESCRIBED BY MAN
WHO HAS VISITED THE MILLS

i've been opposed to child labor legislation because
introduced under the auspices of labor unions. On
principle I'd fight any measure thus fathered. how
ever sound in theory benefcent in practice. Let
such agtators carry point and they'd be en-
boldened for further efforts"
With Mr.. Smith, superintendent of another large
and well known MILL the following conversation
took place:
Don't you consider eleven hours long days
work for children of tender age Mr.. Smith,
II do although 1 worked fourteen hours when 1
was boy, and am to-day, you see, fairly hale
and hearty Nevertheless. l confess to a strong
bias in favor of Congressman Coverings recent
proposal of a uniform hour law for the whole
United States"
But the Southern mill operators went to Wash
ington en- masse to Uefeat its passage. did they
not?"
Il believe they did" replied Mr.. Smith.
ITO what do you ascribe the haggard looks of the
child operatives"
ITO poor diet and bad habits"
Can any children in your mill read and write?"
Very few, the reply.
W. P. Smith Whaley. president of three mills in
Columbia. S c.. said: I'm opposed to child labor
legislation because instigated by labor agitators.
Capital have interest in common with such
incendiaries.
The mills of this person. Mr.. Lister says, were
the only ones in which he was forbidden to ques-
ton the operatives
Mr.. fuller. treasurer of Atlanta mill. said that
they did want the labor troubles of the North
and East transported 10 Southern soil, hence they
would oppose the first insidious indication of inter-
ference by union leaders irrespective II the nher-
ent merits Of the issue"
The objections of the mill owners. summed up In
brief. that restriction of child labor in mills
alone class Legislation, that It would be useless
without compulsory educational law. that parents
lied to the age of children. and that child labor
legislation would discourage the investment of
Northern capital.
But when the testimony is all in" says the cor
respondent, the agreement entered into by the
0rryn rIatgc 90 rrsI, Gfa pdc ont q
practical confession that operators. despite any
and all arguments and explanations at heart real
ize the evils they attempt to belttle extenuate
After describing the organization of the citizens
movement to secure legislation for the protection
of children. the correspondent says:
In this Georgia movement the most active and
enthusiastic worker is the secretary Of the com
Protestant ant Episcopal church. atlanta. had
very pleasant chat with Mr. Wilmer In his study
part:
that child labor is public question In which the
citizenship of Georgia is vitaily interested II Is
labor agitation heretofore failed in Georgia is
e Th 6 o4 ans ali G poss
to child labor The child labor bill prepared o by g.
fore the last legislature til the third day before
n he @G pFedce Of mill
AGAINST eyeryhng and anythPS ~ so1
stand aside and allow us 70 prepare and present
When " child labor lessi ation was first mootod
mill with voice denied that the phystcai,
employment. In other words, that cotton mills
tSey s Sare sEnde
come forward VIII yPi%n'9ry groT 10 The afst5n
when playing golf while ago with one Of our
leading citizens Mr. Wilmer went on: Il asked
him II he Owned any G S,nSs mill mill stock NO.
BY a oar sfsnF e al IN Il he
get up and repeat what he said 70 me on The golf
II i AFFORD
employers when attacked by labor.
legislaton because we do not PE9P9se TO inoI0ds
in the same bin all empi3yers OF % All
featuring establishments is a class by itself ana
similar to store employment
Moreover, when mill men place themselyes on on
their own adopton-pracucally the same as en-.
t6 being STys5azsd int law they are ASH S
public policy il whit as Objectionable as class
rs f and oasfq he + 5r their chd
goes but in heir %y 6 thee m naeSe6s @
islation which is necessary to restrict those who
Should R0t prevent law against burglary on the
ground that he personally Is Phianthropi Hs,,on
defiance right and Justice the men to be
have we that they will not do so in other cases?
The correspondent sums up as follows:
The facts deduced from my tour of the Southern
'l FiTstMThat from one-tenth TO one-hfth of the
total number Of cotton operatives are mere chill
second-That they work from eleven to twelve
Third-That they are paid from 10 to 50 cents a
Fourth-That boys and girls from fourteen to
Fifth-That adults rarely earn over 81 day and
Sixth-That the chudren's work though not
heavy is grinding and nerve racking- ,,.,
wheels the high Temperature and Wtiat ifs air
conditions inseparable from cotton milis-weaE
down the stoutest frame and strongest nerves and
eye healthy glow and elastic step which are the
EiqbthHThaf in many cases these urchins
held in hopeless bondage to their iterate heartess
NinthHThat the normal order Of things is; alas.
too often inverted and the saddenng P boPied
parents, in lieu OF parents supporting their OH
Tenth-That not one out of twenty of such toilers
can read and write. ,,,s -,
never enjoyed and has but a faint conception OF
the benefits of education? In part yes but F psi
the mill operator himself, who fights remedial
measures second the egslator 10 %nose
The day is coming. and that, IN all prooabnty,
d gaIes hope. when not only will every child now
toilng in Southern mills be emanSipated from saea
compulsory education laws, whereby the recon
thus achieved may be utilized to the tu . Dy ene
operatives for the privileges and responsibilities OF
citizenship.
IN BEHALF OF SWEATSHOP VICTIMS.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In the issue OF your paper OF July "a. page
nine there is an article headed. Works Sixteen
Hours a Day-The Tribune Grants Little East
Side Seamstress Respite No doubt thousands
rejoice in and appreciate your good work. as do:
but doubtless the thinking portion Of your readers
wonder why the mother and the child of ten should
remain victims of an employer who gives them 40
cents for their Joint labor OF sixteen hours. Why