The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1905-11-08
CRUSADE ON AGE LIMIT
Chicago League to Seek Pro-
lection by Legislation.

membership Consists of War Vet
erans and Others Who Claim They
Are Excluded From Profitable EN-
allotment Because They Are Over
For4y-five-TO Appeal to Congress.
With the object of removing the ban
mon wageworkerS by the "cruel and
unnatural age limit" and assisting
them in securing employment an Anti
age Limit league has been organized
in Chicago. Efforts will be made to re-
move age barriers by congressional en-
actment, says the Chicago Tribune.
The league has opened Offices, and it
Is described as an association of vet
erars Of the civil and Spanish
ran wars and other citizens who have
reached the prescribed age limit of
forty five years. Temporary head
quarters have been opened i'll the Pal
mer house clubroOm.
James +. DOwney is president of the
league and Benjamin Giroux, who was
captain Of sharpshooters during the
civil war and member Of the Old
Chicago Light guard, is the secretary
and treasurer.
A circular describing the objects Of
the league says:
"Of all the distractions to mans
right to earn living the ban put upon
labor by the forty-fve year age limit is
the cruelest, most obnoxious and most
absurd. The main purpose Of this
league will be the removal and per
mauent Punishment of that ban by such
means as will be found most effective
and permanent
"Thc doors of the league are open to
all honest and industrious and reput-
able men, especially those who have
passed the prescribed age limit of
forty years. 1t will lead the fight
against age oStracism by congressional
enactment, and seek the creation of Il
wholesome sentiment among such en-
ployers who have not altogether for
gotten that true happiness is found
most surely in honest labor"
The forty-five year age limit, said
Secretary GirouX recently, rs a result
Of the army and navy placing a limit
Oh the age Of enlistment This has
been extended to civil departments of
the national and state governments
and more recently adopted by private
corporations This movement is nee
essary to overcome q condition that is
spreading with alarming rapidity.
I'VE already have been promised the
moral support and influence of men or
national repute to extend the move
ment to other great commercial ana
Industrial centers.'
The league announces that it does
not intend to antagonize the employ
ment Of women within the sphere OF
her sex or actual necessities, but holds
That man possesses the inherent right
to be considered first as the head and
breadwinner of the family.
The league will place particularly be-
fore the government the persistent
0stfacism of veterans of the civil war
aud the Spanish war, i'll that they are
refused the pursuit of their inalienable
right TO labor in all the departments OF
TIE NATIONAL government in accordance
with their mental and physical equip
ment irrespective OF age" -e.ttjdy@%ss''
A meeting Of the league will soon
be called.
We intend to appoint committees
said President Downey, who Will can
Vass the department stores, the big
mercantile houses and the railroad OF
hces and ask them to reconsider their
attitude against men of middle age.
We intend to make IL dignihed.
manly plea. God knows that the stu
alton with many man Is tragic
enough but we want no favors, merely
lair play. When you realize that TINS
prejudice is a matter Of but ten years
or so 1t seems reasonable to hope that
We can change it."