The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-07-18
LITTLE BABES
IN 1 CRUSADE
MOTHER JONES: sIs TO STORM
WALL STREET, ~
HEADED FOR
NEW YORK CITY.
Wishe. to Give the Country a Grea,
Object Lesson on the Manifold
Evils Of Child Labor.

-
! Wishes to Give the Country a Great
Object Lesson on. the Manifold
Evils Of Child Labor.
| PHILADELPHIA. Pa. july IT,
Many years ago a great crusade was
started in Europe for the aeaovery. of
Jerusalem and the Savior's temp. from
the Inf1dels. A hermit rushed through
the country calling upon all parents to
allow their children to Join the holy
crusade which would surely have the
help of all the guardian angles in
Heaven.
An 50 great army:of children Of rich
and poor was gathered together and set
out upon a journey, the dangers of
which had been sadly misjudged. They
died by the way sides by thousands and
gradually the great multitude appeared
Jerusalem was still held by the Inhdels,
while in the homes mothers mourned for
their dear little, ones who never
returned. ~ 7
"Mother" Jones' Crusade.
| "Mother'' Jones believes 1t is time
Tor another crusade of children. This
one, however, is ITO be directed to
storm1ng the hearts Of the people by
showing them living examples Of what
child labor does tor childhood. So she
started for New York: one day last week
with 400 textile working men, women
and children on strike for shorter hours
and a wagon load Of little girls to show
the sharks of Wall Street." as she puts
it, and the people generally the evils
Of child labor through these living ex-
amples OF a child slavery system which
seems so firmly fixed on the little ones
Of Pennsylvania. -:
| On Wednesday morning with the fife
and drum preceding them, some carry
ing umbrellas, while others plodded
along under the blazing sun, the pro-
cession started for New, York City. It
was miserable looking lot Of babes
that strung out over several miles of
dusty road. -
At Cedar Hill Cemetery the first bid
detection took place. Nearly 100 foot
| sore and tired men and women sat still
when the order was given to resume the
! march. The girls in the wagon kept
singing the entire time. The fife and
drum corps played at intervales.
stragglers by twos and threes kept
dropping out until Torresdale Park was
In sight, twelve miles from the start
ing point. Thus ended the first. days
! march.
The fife and drum, especially when
Marching Through Georgia" was being
played, cheered the children up a bit,
and the arrival Of te commissary wag-
ons loaded with canned goods and bread
was a welcome sight. Mother Jones
will be a. leader indeed ii she succeeds
In keeping. Quarter Of them together
by the time she arrives IN New York
An Immense meeting OF: workers Is
planned 70 be- held "a Madison Square
Garden when yhe a6h ldren.iraac there.
pIaApG rsat show:.|5SS1 $3.50.
Part *of st Tones plan consists Il
in the use st an assortment 81 cos
TUNES, glass diamonds, megaphones,
monographs aid rnotto-inscribed ban
ners. "Mr: Capital is to be exhibited
dressed in costly raiment. Mrs. Mill
Owner is to sit beside him, wearing
her jewels. Tableaux, charades, plays
and dialogues: are to be arranged, all
bearing on the textile strike. Frequent
stops will be made, exhibitions given,
and donations asked for.
l
chief, has full charge OF the campaign.
After at first opposing it the strike
leaders became convinced that it was
ers and the general public Of the United
States to lend hand In the fight for
shorter hours. Mother Jones has
therefore obtained their cooperation,
though her power Is somewhat restrict
ed.
1.-The sight Of little children at work
In mills when they ought to be at
school or at play, arouses me-" said
mother" Jones: found the conditions
in Philadelphia deplorable, and I re-
solved to do what I could to shorten
the hours Of toll of the striking textile
workers SO as to gain more liberty for
the children and women. I had a. par
ade of children through. the city-the
cradle of liberty-but the citizens were
not moved to pity by the object lesson.
No Pity Here, She Says.
1.-THE curse Of greed SO pressed on
their hearts that they could not pause
| to express their pity for future men and
women who are being stunted mentally,
morally and physically so that they
| cannot possibly become good citizens
cannot believe, that the public con-
essence is go callous that it will not re-
spond. I am going out Of Philadelphia
to see II there are people with human
blood in their veins.
when thing Of the present and fut-
ure fear for my country. The Grim
inal classes keep increasing. Large
sums OF money are being poured out
for almshouses or. refuge, refornatories
and schools for detectives, but they are
only q drop in the bucket. The de-
cease cannot be cured unless the cause
is removed. Keen, unrestrained COM
petition, rivalry for commercial suprem-
~acy and lust for wealth tramples@ on
humanity and feels no remorse.