Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-11
CHILD LABOR PROBLEM
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM BEL1Ev-
ED TO BE THE SOLUTION.
Report on Industrial Conditions NV
Massachusetts, Women's
Clubs.
From the New York World

From the New York World.
The civil service reform committee Of the
Massachusetts State Federation of Won-
ems Clubs has issued in Its third renor, a
statement concerning industrial conditions
as they relate to children which should he
read by every woman and man Interested
IN preventing the slaughter OF the limo
cents
CIVIL service from the standpoint OF those
interested in the health and education OF
children is the keynote. OF what good in
quires the report, is It TO secure legal en-
actments providing for sanitary conditions
OF factories and an age limit in the en-
ployment Of children. when these laws are
executed by persons having no interest I'm
them and susceptible to corrupting infiu-
ences.
Women Factory Inspectors.
When we were working in New York.
says the writer OF the report, for the first
law in the world making possible the an
polntment of women factory inspectors.
we came into personal relation with con-
ditions demanding the utmost patience and
discretion. We became convinced that
women Were needed in these positions OF
trust and We also hoped that we could es-
cape from the spoils system Though there
there had been abuses IN some cases be-
cause OF the unwillingness of girls ana
women 10 make complaints to men. We re-
ceiVed one card. unsigned: Come and help
us; we are nine girls working on the frh
noor or house, with no water above the
third floor, no fire escape and the last flight
a ladder closed by a trapdoor'
Our hrst appointments under the law
were good, then all fell back; appointments
came In by favor. political and otherwise,
ana we simply added TO the spoils to be
gwen out. So we learned that the next
great step is to put those inspectors under
the civil service, they being obtained
through free competition and remaining
during good service. We cannot risk these
national interests in the hands of a man or
woman who has not been selected for spe-
cfal fitness. You can see how open this Of
flee is to suggestions OF bribery in one form
or another, and in a manner impossible TO
detect Even the parents. In their eagerness
to have the wages of their children. Will
make false statements of age and offer a
small bribe.
Civil Service Reform.
What we must keep in mind. steadily. is
that our higher interests cannot be served
by men and women caught up here and
there to pay political promises. This great
movement of our general federation of
women's clubs will bring added proof of
this at every step. We cannot afford to do
a good bit Of work with one hand. insisting
that child of ten shall not work az night
in factory or mine. and then put in by hap
hazard an inspector who neither knows nor
cares and is not subject to removal by
public opinion. We are reckless in the
waste of human experience when we turn
out an efficient man or woman simply for
the sake of putting some one else in and
this will be done until officials are protect
ed by the civil service law.
I'VE are told that child labor has in
spite of the law. such is the struggle for
life and competition of industry. We In
the north can insist that law shall be
carried out by inspectors selected according
to civil service reform principles. but our
southern states are unprotected by law. and
are taken unawares by the swiftness with
which modern Industrial conditions have
overtaken them. We are now one country.
capital goes from state to state. seeking its
largest opportunity. We must see that an
enlightened moral consciousness goes hand
in hand. saying that at least the children
shall not be exploited, either by their
wretched parents or by the employer.
We cannot remedy these evils except by
a great concerted movement of all our fed
erations, that shall examine with thorough
ness into the industrial conditions of VICE.
en- and children. that shall press for uni
form laws, shall insist that officials dealing
with these matters shall be appointed under
the civil service law. and shall also ex-
anime into the education which is given in
our schools; how far It is practical and
helpful. and how far il enriches the life
ana increases the opportunity OF the boy
or girl who leaves school at fourteen or
twelve years of age"