Evening times-Republican., 1903-11-19

now child labor committee, prove that
the betterinent of the home and ths
elevation of The child Is its most I'M
portant object.
TO interest women in the securing Oh
laws in Iowa governing child labor was
the aim of Mrs. Fletcher's address.
This is a subject on which there was
more legislation, possibly. than on
any other, during the last legislative
year, and it is a subject in which Iowa
has taken little interest.
a detailed account of the model chlld
lal or laws of Massachusetts was given
AMI also the wonderful work accom-
plished thru organized effort, in the
state of Illinois. The story of the en-
deavor of New York to secure the same
Id labor law as that of Massachu-
sets was Interestingly told. Then at
some length Mrs. Fletcher dwelt upon
tn. condition of children In the fac
tories and workshops of our own
state.
1t Is very prevalent opinion that
Iowa Is an agricultural state. But the
notion is far from being true Statis-
tics say tha. the urban population OF
is 976.641, nearly one half the popu-
lation of the state. In the towns and
eli les of the state are found manufac-
turing establishments to the number OF.
at least, 14,Sl9, according to the enum-
GRAFTON of $500. wherein We're employ
ed 5S,553 persons. Among this NUMBER
is found a large force of children. The
earnest plea made by Mrs. Fletcher was
that so progressive a state as Iowa
should be among the more advanced
commemorative In the matter of pro-
te citing children from too early en-
poyment In the industrial pursuits.
In the ninth report of the bureau OF
La Dor statistics 1t was found that about
1000 children, under 16 years of age
were employed In manufacturing es-
of the state. This number
SHOWS an increase. in the last ten years
o, II per cent, and these figures do not
include boys and girls employed In
$ Ores telephone and telegraph Offices
7 here are no laws in our state against
the employment of children in factor
les. The only regulation is law pro-
hibiting the employment of boys under
l2 years of age in coal mines. and an
other law providing that children shall
not be employed about dangerous ma
chinery in factories. In the absence OF
a system OF factory Inspection this ac-
nothing. and Iowa stands
with virtually no protection for her
children.
The evils of child labor were clearly
shown. Special stress was laid upon the
effects on the physical and moral devel-
opment of the little overworked bodies.
From out of the depths of her own
Mrs. Fletcher pleaded for
he rights cH these children to life, en-
toyment and education. Pitiful stories
we're told OF these children born into an
of toll, and an earnest, be-
.ieeching plea made to club women to
interest themselves In the child labor
question in Marshailtown and in the
state. Questioning. and an informal
discussion, followed the paper.
The seriousness of the subject and
discussion of the afternoon was hap
pily lightered by two musical numbers.
A trio. mandolin, guitar and piano. by
DR.. and Mrs. H. A. Hurd, and Mrs.
Ralph w. Mcbride, "Valse Fantasy"
by Siegel, was delightfully."- rendered as
The opening number, and a piano solo
by Miss Adah Powers. The Daffodii
Dance" by McClennan. most pleasantly
closed the program.