New-York tribune., 1903-02-23
CHILD LABOR MOVEMENT.
Determined Efforts of Women Throughout
the Country to Stamp Out Evil.

The New Century Club of Wilmington has taken
up the child labor movement for Delaware. IL
held meeting the subject last week, which
was addressed by Mrs. Florence Kelley, Of this
city At the conclusion of the address DR.. Lay
ton Coleman, Episcopal Bishop Of the diocese,
that bill be introduced in the legislature
The bill is being drafted under the super
vision of Chief Justice Lore. The New Century
is of the powerful clubs in the country,
composed of five hundred wealthy women, and
owning its own clubhouse. Little Delaware mas
child labor law at all, and it is known that two
thousand children Of school age are in the ranks
OF the wage earners.
The New Century Club Of Philadelphia is like
wise charge of the Pennsylvania child labor bill,
which 1t is having drawn up by the leading con-
stitutional lawyer Of the State. The Philadelphia
New Century is the most powerful club in the
State and 1t has taken up the cudgels for the
5000 child laborers in Pennsylvania who bring
that State Florida in the scale of juvenile
illiteracv.
In Illinois Mrs. Harriet Van Der Vaart, of the
Chicago Consumers League, Is in charge OF the
child labor BILL which has been introduced by Mr..
Davies brother Of the State factory inspector.
Governor Yates recommended child labor legisla-
ton in his message in much the same manner as
Governor Odell. The Illinois State Federation
has sent out thol sands OF leaflets describing the
conditions that surround the States 1900 child
wage earners, and all the agencies for the pro-
lection of child Ife-Protestant, Catholic Jewish
and settlement worl1ers-are cooperating with the
bill.
In Wisconsin Mrs b c. Gudden, of Oshkosh
secretary Of the State Consumers League. has
charge of the Child labor bill, and cooperating
with her is the State Federation and the Chdren's
Betterrnent League, the latter an organization in
cIuding all workers in the State interested in the
welfare Of children. One of the Wisconsin bills
makes attendance at school compulsory under
fourteen for the full school year instead OF twelve
weeks as at present and the other places more
effective restrictions about the admittance or chill
factories and stores. Governor La oIiette
has announced himself In favor OF the plli.
The Colorado Consumers League, which was Or
saniZed bv Mrs. Kelley on her way to the Los
Angeles biennial last May. has for its president
Mrs Theodore Van Wagemenn. who is also chair
man of the Reform Department or the " Iai oman
Club The league has introduced a bill restricting
child labor in factories. 1t is alreadX e1Iectively
restricted in mines, and there Is but little IN rae
tories as Colorado is not manufacturing state
NaThan of this city organized several consumers
leagues in California These are all cooperating
this winter with the California educators. VINO
under the leadership of q professor IN the state
University have introduced a COMPREHENSIVE IOii
pulsory education bill
In the widespread movement for child lapor legls
1aTion NAV he seen results of the resolution or
last May by which the General Federaton OF
1ect for the next two years The, interest," WhlGn
made this resolution possible had been worked up
during the two previous years by Mrs: tIofence
Kelley in her capacity of chairman or the Fec
Grafton Committee on Industrial CohuIllohs Al
fectine Women and Children
The National Consumers League at Its executive
meeting held recently voted to hoio It's ahnuaI @
Taeetins in Louisville. KY, March B. 1t goes on
tho inZyitation of the Kentucky Consumers League.
Fight States and fifty local leagues VIII De repre-