The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-07
Voice of
the People
QUESTION OF CHILD LABOR

QUESTION OF CHILD LABOR.
Editor Providence News;
That the vagaries OF the human mind
are manifold and wondrous was made
omphatically apparent at the hearing
given yesterday by the committee on spe-
cial legislation OF the house OF repre-
sentatives on the subject of legislation in
relation to child labor.
There was unanimity on only one point
and that Is that some one or something
should be penalized If a child under a
certain age should be permitted TO work
Some would make the age limit one thing
and some another. but all were agreed
on this point only, viz: That II should be
made a crime To employ a child who is
under the age which shall be determined
upon as the legal limit.
Never a word was spoken about that
which produces conditions which make
child labor necessity; conditions in
which the parent finds himself absolutely
incapable of supplying the necessities of
his family without the aid OF his chill
dren; conditions which are produced
wholly and solely by iniquitous laws and
can only be removed by the repeal of
those laws.
All that was said at the hearing about
the deleterious effect of child labor upon
the future Of the race Is too true and
child labor should he stopped on that
account alone II there were no other
reason; but to imagine that an act penal
izing employers will prevent the employ
ment OF children when economic condi-
tions compel their employment is 10 ex-
hibit a faith that is equal to believing
that Mr. Roosevelts grand stand play
against tho beef trust will result in rails %
ing the price OF cattle 70 the ranchman
and lowering the price OF beef 10 the
consumer.
The remedy for the evils OF monopoly
and the remedy for the evils OF child
labor are the same Remove the OBJ
stacles which prevent men from employ
ing their activities on the opportunities
provided by nature. II any member of
society shall enjoy exclusive possession
Of any natural opportunity lot society
compel him TO pay into the public treas
ury the full annual value OF such oppor-
tunity eNpend the revenues so acquired
for the support OF government and limit
the expenses Of government TO the rev
enue so acquired.
This will prevent the shutting out Of
labor from the opportunities provided 10y
nature for it's employment by rendering
speculation I'm such opportunities un-
profitable. No man will pay for the privi.
lege of using more land than he can pu,
90 profitable use therefore. the land now
held vacant will he put 10 use which
viii multiply the demand for labor and
consequently raise wages or II will he
abandoned and made available for the
self-employment OF labor which Will also
raise wages. That Is TO say Tho sub
stitutiou of this policy for the present
system Of taxation will solve the child
labor question and nothing else will solve
a. 10 will also solve the adult labor
problem. which is more important. and
nothing else will solve that II IL tax
upon tho value OF land, exclusive ~ I'm
provements n 10 or on a. equivalent 20
the fun annual rental value of the land.
n is not a cure-sll. but there II no eco
monte evil 10 won't cure. 10 IL the single
tax. Genu.wen. look II up. g. u. L.