The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-12

IN CHILD
LABORERS

Fffty-six accidents have been reported
during the year. only one of which was
fatal, and we are pleased 20 report con-
tinusd improvement in the sanitary ar
ransements and conditions in the various
factories OF the state say the state
factory inspectors. J. Ellery Hudson of
Coventry and Helen NJ jerks Of Provi-
dence, in their 1lth annual report which
was presented 10 the senate al its session
to-day.
During the year ending Dec. 81. 1904 we
have visited and found in operation 653
establishments coming under the pro-
visions OF chapter IS OF the general laws.
The number OF employees in the various
establishments was divided as follows:
Males OF 16 years and over. b2,072;
females OF l6 years and over. 36,473; males
under I6 years OF age 3l42; females under
16 years OF age. 275S, and total number
employed. A.440.
A comparison OF these figures with those
reported last year shows a decrease OF
I78s In the number OF men employed. an
increase OF 11s in the number OF women
employed; a decrease OF 2le In the num-
Der of boys employed. and a decrease Of
a37 in the number OF girls employed; net
decrease OF 1920 I'm the number Of adults
employed: a decrease OF $50 in the number
of children employed, and a total decrease
of 2176 in the whole number employed.
The percentage OF children employed Is
s2 az against 81 last year
CHILD LABOR LAW WEAK.
We would again call youR sttention 10
me weakness OF our lave as regards the
employment OF children. The factory law
permits the employment of children or
twelve years OF age In the truant law
(under which the factory inspector has no
jurisdiction) the age is fixed at thirteen.
but the only qualification required OF
children by that law II that they shall
have attained the age OF thirteen years.
at which time. be they physically strong
or weak, or ignorant TO the extent OF not
knowing the letters of the alphabet. they
are permitted to engage In permanent
employment.
1t is also possible that they be employed
all night Ave nights In the week. The
present factory law includes under It's
provisions only such establishments as
employ FIVE women and children. and II Is
therefore possible and We believe true.
that many children are employed singly
and by twos and threes in places not
coming under our supervision, and that,
too, under conditions less favorable 10
their we'll being than any prevailing In
establishments already within the scope
OF the factory law.
We would, therefore, renew and ask
your careful consideration OF the follow
ing recommendations which were Offered
In our report one year ago:
INSPECTORS RECOMMENDATION.
THAT no child who has not completed
thirteen years OF life be employed, per-
mitted or suffered to work In any factory.
manufacturing or business establishment
In this state;
THAT any person, Arm. or corporation
employing as many as five persons, or
any child who has not completed sixteen
years OF life. be deemed factory. manu-
featuring or business establishment. with
IN the meaning OF the factory law;
That no child who has not COM
pieted sixteen years OF life be permitted
to work In any factory. manufacturing or
business establishment after o'clock p.
m. on any day. We believe that The
greater part OF the injury TO the health
OF the children employed is the result OF
night work.
That no person, firm. or corporation
be permitted to employ any child who
has not completed l6 years OF life with
out a certificate from the school authori-
ties attesting that such child has passed
some stated grade OF instruction taught
IN our schools, and that all certificates
relating to the age and qualifications Of
children employed be placed at the call
of the factory inspectors.
DECREASE IN ADULTS. TOO.
The following figures show the per-
centage OF children employed in the fac
tories and mills in some parts Of the
state: Johnston. 14.3; North Providence.
14i: Coventry. 12.2; Tiverton. 12e. scit-
uate, 1o.5; East Greenwich. ~; War
wick, g.. Kent county 9.6.
The employees Of the state are divided
ss follows: S0926 men. 24.4l7 women.
24oe boys and 2252 girls.
BY a comparison Of the figures with
those given in the last report, IL will be
reen that there was a decrease In the
number Of adults employed In every
county In the state with the exception
Of Kent county, where there was an In
crease OF 1888.
There was a decrease IN the number
OF children employed in every county I'm
the state that OF Providence county
having been sS7. The greatest decrease
jn any city or town was 3l1 IN the city
OF Providence.