New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-29
To EXTEND ITS WORK.
THE CONSUMERS LEAGUE PLANS TO
TAKE CANNED GOODS UNDER
ITS WING-IT STILL FIGHTS
~TJTT n cY
CHILD SLAVERY.

The Consumers League has under consideration
the extension Of its methods into the realm Of
manufa ctpred foods Its methods have been tried
FOR more than three years in certain lines OF
featured clothing. and found workable. The label
placed on goods which after the investigation OF
its inspector. have been found made under sani-
tary conditions and in compliance with the factory
laws Of the State has proved efficient and the in
creased demand for these goods has caused the
label tc be sought by an increasing number of
manufacturers every year. New-York manu-
facturer OF stoves applied II the other day but
the league will not 90 so. far aheld as hardware.
II might Be thought that the most natural ex-
tension OF the work would be into other lines of
clothing manufacture. The reason why this is not
contemplated is that the league confines its work
entirely TO the protection OF women and children
workers, and the goods TO which they now attach
their label are those made almost entirely by
and children. and Of which women are the sole
purchasers IN other branches Of the clothing trade
operatives are largely who have their own
methods Of self-protection. with which the league
does not wish 10 interfere.
But candy. baking powder. canned fruits and
vegetables, soups. crackers, etc. are all prepared
largely by women and children. From the pea
farms OF Maine TO the orange groves Of Southern
California children engaged IN large numbers
IN this sort OF manufacture. Such workers have
10 organization OF their own. and moreover they
are specially exempt from legislation designed for
the protection Of factory operatives. In New-Jer-
sey. Maryland, Michigan and some other States
the operation Of their provisions, on the ground
that their work comes in the summer, when the
children would not be IN school anyway
Inc ~ork OF children in canneres Is chiefly per
gree is less uneeathful than work in the ordinary
factory me chleI objection to IL is that il all
From the earliest glimpse Of dawn as long as the
iight VAL let them see pea, the children work on
the pea farms grub Of the soil the little onions
which are TO be canned, being kept awake during
the latter part Of the day by copious draughls oY
~ 1 Ggee IA Lfult cahneTIes they peel the fruit
alu IoLgh SKINNED pears they dip IN I've 10 remove
the skin. incidentally. this removes the skin from
the baking powder factories the soda eats away
their Shoes their stockings and eventually the soles
lOused sores.
In Southern California little girls have been
Known 70 begin al daylight IN May and finish 2
empt from the ordinary factory laws. and being
nerles can maintain such conditions as they choose
IN regard TO cleanliness.
The extension Of the work would mean the in
resignation Of all such foods as are packed in wood,
tn glass or pasteboard, and are therefore readily
Ions would demand the employment Of an expert
chemist, who would analyze all such goods and
substances thus the label would mean both that
me, goods were prepared under humane conditions
and that they were suitable for food. just the
present label testifes both as 10 the humane and
the sanitary conditions under which the clothing
bearing II IS made.
This feature would at once bring to the support
Of the league large number of people now inter
mend Itself almost universally 10 intelligent house
wives. Some States now have laws demanding that
ed upon the case which holds Il. Such manufact-
urers live up to these requirements, and do not
Is made would welcome the league label as an
additional Endorsement and advertisement. Moth
condensed milk and ba bv foods would be Included
IN the classes Of goods examined
popularize the mass Of Information in regard to
pure foods now existing In the form OF ofhcial