The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-03-02
strength of the country that we can

strength of the country that we can
not play the splendid part given us in
the world, and the nobler manhood
and brotherhood we are striving to
bring cannot arise out Of handicapped
and defrauded children; for child labor
is always at the expense of health and
education and the nobler sense Of fell
lowship, the stunted child remaining
in the state Of semi barbarism. The
prolongation of childhood is the essen
tial prerequisite for our evolution into
a nobler order of men and society.
Concerns State and Nation.
"This is both state and national
problem. Our local state laws are ex-
cellent so fae as they go. No children
are permitted to labor in factories or
shops under fourteen; and none under
sixteen without a certificate from the
superintendent of schools stating such
labor to be necessary. We are FORUM
nate in having a fine, conscientious in
spector in Duluth, and the employers
are disposed to obey the law. Our con-
ditions are EXCEPTIONAL; but SO much
cannot be said for many other places in
the state. The inspectors are too few;
and this condition obtains in most
states. State laws, however, cannot
cover the situation. Our Industrial
system and conditions are the same
the country over, and child labor must
:be handled nationally. So long as we
have it in one place the whole country
is affected by the demands of compe-
tition and the system as a whole, The
senate committee has pronounced the
Beveridge bill unconstitutional and it
will not be passed. The effort to get
at child labor through Interstate COM
merce instead of directly under the
general welfare clause Of the con-
stitution, looks very much as II we
have come to regard the constitut ton
as more sacred than human life and
welfare. This ought to command the
attention Of thinking people. Let US
fix our constitution, so we can at least
live.
Should BE Taught TO Work.
1.-The children need the training they
are supposed to get in the factories,
If they are to be skilled and efficient.
Industrial training schools should be
in every center, and boys and girls be
taught how to work and find pleasure
In 1t. We need a school Of mechanical
arts in connection with our high school.
For the boys we have to choose be-
tween overwork, idleness, and indus
trial training in schools Industrial
training schools are at the least a good
business investment and good manhood
investments too. It is possible for US
to have it and there is no surer remedy
for the evil Of child labor.
1.-The ultimate responsibility for all
conditions of this kind rests upon the
consumer. We can't avoid it, unless the
standard reaches everywhere. We can
personally understand the situation, ad-
vocate and pay for schools, diffuse in
formation and help boom public opin-
ion which shall make such exploitation
of children impossible.
Should Raise Limit.
'"The age limit should be raised to
seventeen, and an intelligent senti-
ment can raise it to that. Few men,
or women, If they know, can resist the
appeal of the children. The level of a
civilization was once determined by
it's treatment of the child; nothing so
shows the good sense. the far sighted
ness and the humanitarian altruistic in
stinct developed as the care for the
children who are to inherit all we leave.
/ "A little child shall lead them"