The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-12-31
JERSEY CHIEFS IN CLASH
Head If Bureau of Labor Defends
Child Labor.
OPPOSES FACTORY INSPECTOR

Can Find Few Workers Of Tender Age
In the State, But Gives Reasons
Why There Should Be More Of
Them.
Trenton, n. j., Dec. 2s.-According
10 the annual report OF Chief Garrison. /
OF the bureau OF labor and statistics, |
lust made to Governor Murphy there
is little or no child labor in the state
of New Jersey. TO the amazement OF
the department OF factory and work /
shop inspection. which has been en-
deayoring to enforce the and-chiid |
labor law enacted last winter. Mr. /
Garrison deyotes so pages of his re-
port 60 a discussion OF this question, /
and takes the stand that II is not gen /
orally undesirable that children should
be put to work in factories early III
their career; that the newspapers
which have used their influence in the
direction OF putting a stop TO chlld
labor are given TO sensationalsim;
that the facts have been grossly eXag |
gerated and finally, that the child |
labor laws should be so amended as |
TO make the matter Of employment in |
factories discretionary with some re |
spOnsible person or department
This last suggestion is interpreted as
a back-handed slap at Factory In
spector Ward and his department, and
IL is strongly resented by everybody
connected with that department. The
amendment of the child labor law last
winter was largely due to the influence
OF Governor Murphy, VINO did not hesi'
tate to express the opinion that many
manufacturers in the state were in
different 70 the statutes bearing upon
that subject. He had frequent consul
tations with Factory Inspector Ward.
and gave that official to understand
that the law must be enforced.
The activity OF the factory inspec.
tor and his deputies has stirred the
manufacturers to high pitch OF eX'
element. and they have been threat
ening all sorts OF revenge when the
party responsible for the amended |
laws goes TO the polls next fall.
Mr. Garrison in his report says |
in the South Jersey glass districts |
child labor has been the theme OF bit |
ter complaint on the part OF the glass
workers unions against certain en- |
ployers i'm that industry. who insist |
upon running open shops. Numbers
OF benevolent women, assuming the
absolute truth OF all that has been
charged. have organized themselves
into societies to fight the system and
expose It's iniquities. Certain newspa /
pers. given 10 sensationalism, have
taken up and given wide publicity to
stories. often from irresponsible |
sources. OF overworked children OF
tender ages tOiling in factories at tasks
far beyond the strength of their years
Factory owners are represented as SO
many MolOchs who are growing rich
on the labor Of infants. The emotions
and sympathies OF people, ever ready
to respond to such a call. are appealed
to on their behalf as helpless victims
OF avarice on the part Of employers or
parents. the blame and resentment
being generally directed against the
former"
From its investigations made prior
to September the labor bureau argues
in It's report that there were then but
few children employed in factories be
low the age of "A, yet the chief factory
inspector says that since that date
between 700 and 500 OF such children
have been taken out Of factories, and
makes the further declaration that
child labor is prevalent throughout the
state.
Standing upon the ground that the
child labor laws are to be strictly en-
forced. Garrison asks the following
questions. What Is TO be done in tho
case OF orphans; children left without (
means or relatives, who are both able
and willing to support them? Ii this
law denies them right to earn liy
ing. must they not take refuge in some
charitable institution or become pub
lie charges in the almshouses? Again
what is to be done in the case Of Z
widow left with a large family o
young children dependent upon hei
for support. she having no income eX
cept what she may be able to earn by
laundry or some other line OF ily-palc
labor? 9
"And. further. what Is to be done If
the case of a dissipated father who
will not work, and leaves his family
support? Il is true he can BE- ,
locked ND for his neglect but that
does not help his wife to solve the
domestic problem Finally, what is
to be done with boys who will not at
tend SCHOOL,"