New-York tribune., 1903-02-05
CHILD LABOR LAWS.
Bills To Be Presented to the Legislature This
Week-Perjury of Parents TO Stop.
Field

After months Of careful consideration two bills
have been prepared by the Child Labor Committee
and were last evening indorsed by the two sections
Of the Central Federated Union al the University
Settlement No. 1s4 EldridEe-st The measures
were fully discussed by those present, many Of
whom are thoroughly familiar with factory and
mercantile inspection and with the conditions
which have resulted in the preparation Of these
bills.
The bills were drawn by z Subcommittee legis-
lation. including Lawyers George ". Alger and
John Henry Hammond; Robert Hunter, chairman Of
the Child Labor Committee and head worker OF the
University Settlement together with two others
who have had actual experience factory and
mercantile inspectors IN cooperation with the Off
Gals Of the State Department OF Labor.
Messrs- Hunter and Alger have left for Albany
with these bills and II is expected that they will
De introduced into the Senate and Assembly in the
course Of the week. Governor Odell III his annual
message has already expressed his desire 10 have
the existing laws amended and il is believed that
the TWO measures proposed VIII have his fun ap-
provaI.
At the meeting Of the TWO sections Of the Central
Federated Union q resolution was passed appealing
10 all similar bodies throughout the Empire State
70 give their Endorsement 70 the two bills. and ask
ing bodies urge their representatives in
houses Of the legislature TO work and for
these measures.
The most important provisions Of these bills
follows:
ploynent il factories and mercantile establish
rneuts the parent OF child must file with
Board Of Health tlcOnr-oVe-tlble evidence thai
such child IS actually fourteen years OF up
ward The forms Of evidence specified IL the bills
A transcript OF the child's birth certificate
Of its baptisral certificate religious record
or passport In addition the school record Of the
child. called for under the present law.
include statement OF the chilG's age entered on
the school records The only evidence Of called
for under the present law is the affidavit OF the
parent taken before any chance notary.
The existing laws prohibiting the employment OF
children under fourteen years Of age in mercantile
pioyrnent OF such children between the ages OF
fourteen and sixteen extended to cover children
employed in IN connection with telegraph.
serEer delivery other Offices and hotels,
rants and places Of public amusement
The repeal Of the provision IN the existing law
dreu fourteen TO sixteen years Of age who have
had the fun schooling required Tor securing
employment throughout the entire year and the
repeal Of the corresponding provision which al
lows vacatiOn work in mercantile establishments
70 children twelve to sixteen years Of This
latter repeal however applies only 70 cities Of the
first and second class.
The prohibition Of the employment Of children
between fourteen and sixteen years Of age IN fac
tories mercantile and other esa bShnents specified
above than ten hours in any one day The
existing laws contain this provision. but add
ploved more than ten hours in any ore day II this
be done in order to make shorter wOrkday Of the
last day Of the week-an exception which makes
the existing laws almost impossible Of enforcement
The Child Labor Committee will also introduce
within e few DAYS third bill covering the work OF
nevsbovs. bootbiacks. street pedlers. etc.