Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-05
WOMAN " CLUB AND CHARITY

The Nebraska law governing the employ
ment of women and children in stores and
factories was the subject for consideration
at the session Of the Social Science depart
ment Of the woman's club Monday after
noon and the attendance attested the keen
interest in the subject Labor Commits
sioner Burritt Bush, who was to have been
the chief speaker. was unable to be present
owing TO illness. and in his absence Mrs.
George Tilden read the law. The main pro-
visions Of the law applied to women are
that in factories. So. cs and like places they
shall not be employed over ten hours day;
that seats shall be provided for them and
that they shall be allowed to use the seats,
and that violations of the law are punish
able by a fine of not less than 500 or more
than SO Quoting Mr.. Bush, she said that
the great dificulty in the enforcement arose
from the unwillingness OF women employees
to complain OF violations fearing dismiss
sal The majority OF the complaints come
over the telephone, but those making them
are rarely willing TO give their names.
While the law requires that copies OF 1t
shall be posted in conspicuous places
wherever women OF children are employed
this provision is genarlly ignored or II
copies are posted they arc too frequently
taken down soon after
The children's law provides that no child
shall be employed under 10 years OF age
and that no child under IA shall be emf
ployed except in vacation or unless he has
attended school at least twenty weeks OF
the school year Immediately preceding the
| time of such employmept-, 1t provides
| further that employers shall keep certifi-
Gates signed by the principal Of the school
last attended, also the record of age. resi-
dence and school of the child and that these
certificates shall be open to inspection.
! During the last year Mr.. Bush has taken
about 800 children out of the stores and
| factories of Omaha for violation Of this
law, but he complains, with Truant Officer
/ Parker. that enforcement of the law is
made difficult by the interference and criti-
cism OF outside parties who have made only
superficial investigation Of the facts. He
especially complained of the newspapers.
A general discussion followed Of local
conditions under which women and children
work. Superintendent Morris of the Asso-
ciated Charities compared the Nebraska
law with the laws Of other states and Rev.
A. w. Clark of the Child Saving Institu-
| ton criticised the failure OF the Nebraska
law to set a time limit upon the labor of
| children. Mr.. Clark said further that there
, is another side of the question too fire.
uuently overlooked-that of fostering the
| spirit of industry In children. He claimed
that there is so much to protect the child
from being overworked that 1t too fire.
quently results In a positive detriment to
the child. Mr.. Dennison OF the boys de-
partment of the Young Mems Christian
association said that the crying need OF
the boys of Omaha today is not less work
but more work, particularly among the boys
of wealthy parents There was general
| criticism Of the tendency of grasping par
ents to Heep their young children at work
when they are able to support them and
keep them in school and the testimony OF
Truant Officer Parker given few weeks
ago was repeated that the night school Is
being made a medium OF working rank in.
justice to the children OF such parents
Under the present law children may WORK
all day il they attend night school.
Captain Bradley superintendent OF Aler
Dale Farm, near Chicago, and a part OF
the detention system of that city. will be
In Omaha December %, and will. on invita-
ton Of the department. speak. It was left
with the executive committee to arrange
for some audience room down town, prob.
ably in the city hall, where Captain Brad.
ley may talk. There will be no admission
charged and the public will be invited
The department adjourned to meet Janu
airy 8, when there will be a continuation
OF the discussion of labor laws for womer
and children.