New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-19
CHILD LABOR IN JAPAN.
Tots Work Many Hours Day in Factories
New industrial Conditions.

The industrial revolution in Japan Will soon
cessitate labor legislation. We don't know where
we are. and we want 10 profit 10y your experience
The preceding IS the statement recently made 10
Or. Josiah Strong. president Ct the American In
sttute fer Social Service. by japanese who had
come 70 this city 10 study the question OF indus
trial and social bettermeEt lie is manager OF
orlsa factory, known throughout Japan as The
model factory OF that country. lie is said to he
81 influential man En- the empire in educational as
well as industrial lines. Much Light was thrown
on the subject % hts study during his visit and
his return home he wrote the following letter:
Ny dear DR. Strong: Permit me to write to YOU
w.th tharkfui HaHrt And vi .silf a Few 1t
featuring Cos in Brooklyn. These gave me many
interests and much teachings.
believe that present condition Of the labors IN
n cosla contribute few things for that purpose
much oa-ise 10 you and much thanks for YOU
Or. Strong hopefully takes this incident as a
token Of the realization Of the need Of industrial
reform that is slowly forcing itself upon Japan.
Il is very probable that in the near future in
Etute Of social service built up on the lines Of the
American Institute. will be organized In Japan
This undertaking VIII not be OF the governments
direction. but viii be under the auspices Of the
Christian missionaries IN Japan. At large confer
ence Of the missionaries from the whole empire
held last FALL Dr. J. y. Davis. chairman OF the
meeting. preached the subject. It met with imme-
date favor from the entire conference. and COM
nittee appointed then and there to take up
mlttee viii make its report and the social service
work IN Japan VIII probably have an organized be
ginning.
In "a recent interview with a Tribune reporter
d. Strong explained the reasons why institute
for So-iaI service is sadly needed in Japan.
'onc OF the results OF the Industrial revolution
now In progress there he said. rs the redistribu-
uon Of population into the large cities The young
girls and boys are leaving their homes. which the
Idea OF the old patrIarchal family has hitherto
held together. and are hocking TO the cotton fac
tories. Tots young years some
times employed In these big factories and are
forced 70 work under most unhealthy conditions
Twelve, thirteen and often fourteen hours are re-
CURED as the days work IN a factory. The chill
cren work fer week or two by day, then for the
same time change 10 night duty. Another evll
IS the boarding house. where dozens Of boys and
Girls are heroe1 together in an unsantary ana I'M
moral fashion
one Of the things that most impressed the man
argr OF Japan's model factory on his Western trip
y -Ea wol kinEuaus cottage as K Is built In many
Er-I-l and Am -Ir can manufacturing towns w men
s. 1889. photograph of a model cottage IN Liver
I... .e exclaimed with enthusiasm. The home
e. . ...a.re,
Besides tHs evils Of overwOrk and unsanitary
.l.-i.-. Ire workers in Japan are U1GerteI. Dr.
-.rr. .nr. shat if the controllers OF the factories
Ir a...- refuse 100 s'e the need Of social and IN
GuatIai hstr.rleut Tor the good OF humanity. they
may ua Brought To realize that Il is paying thing
them know that lv putting their employees In
| CraMppI vorf.r. quarters. Iy uyerworking them
and hv permitting the existence OF the uusanitary
! boarding houses tary are losing money for them
selves wei a- doing injury LED the future or the
JaV.ueEe