New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-22
CHILD LABOR INQUIRY.
President BeleUes 1t Should Be
Made by Labor Bureau.

Washington. Feb. H.-Prssident Roosevelt has
written letter TO Secretary Straus of the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor bearing on the pro-
posed Investigation into the conditions OF woman
and child labor authorized by Congress- and taking
the position that in his Judgment It unquestionaby
should be made by the Bureau of Labor. branch
OF the executive department over which Secretary
Strauss presides The Census Bureau. the Presi-
dent says. strongly objects to undertaking the
work, Director North saying that ut is a kind Of
work which is foreign 10 the whole theory of a
census office, and it belongs 10 the Bureau Of
Labor"
work TO the Census office. instead OF the Bureau
OF Labor is 10 Illustrate the entire purpose OF
dertaking the investigation"
Matters concerning labor conditions, he says
should properly be investigated by the labor bureau
and any effort to minimize functions by taking
away from It these Investigations should
coed. especially when the real objection to the
bureau is that It has done the work allotted to it
IN first rate shape"
The text OF the Presidents letter is as follows:
Ny Dear Mr. straus: The investigation into the
CONDITIONS OF woman and child labor should. In my
q kabor Tg IS no mer 9g 9ee 3g Is
Ton 4 II were IT would be eminently proper 10
have the Census Bureau conduct it; but as it is the
SerSus Pureal stTongly objects to undeTtaking the
Somte sn SoE{4 rim ms f. PaT3teSted before the
pTiation Pill against having undertake this work.
way Competent to carry on the work because Of It's
haevr adding N % IS ne no Of NO sn 10
Foreign 70 the whole theory OF a Office. and
Il belongs TO the Bureau Of Labor"
IN short 10 intrust the work 10 the census once
instead OF 10 the Bureau Of Labor is TO Illustrate
the entire purpose Of undertaking the investigation
The proposed investigation Is bear fruit IN leg
not then BY the state legislatures IN consequence
81 the publication OF the facts produced by the
bureau OF Labor-always provided, of course. that
the Investigations show the necessity OF any iegis
laton whatever. cannot too strongly state that
n ny judgment the investigation viii be shorn Of
q very large part of the good results we have a
rlEnt 10 ezSect from II II It is confided to the
EoIee4 o. l@noT. Matters concerning labor condi-
tons SHOULD properly De investigated by the Blu
reau of LABOR.
my ss1ort 20 minimize zee functions OF the bu-
reau BY taking away from IL these Investigations
should rot succeed, especially when the real objec-
Gon 70 the bureau is that II has done the work
eHotted 20 Il in hrst rate shape; as. instance
IN ths casa OF the packing house investtRal
spring It seems to me tnadvisable for every rcs-
son 20 pena-ize the Bureau OF Labor for tho ex-
ee4lenE investigations II has made las instance
IN this packing house natter by taking away from
future. The bureau was organized to advance the
legitimate interests Of abor. I would not for one
moment tolerate its acting IA demagogic spirit or
JUS ia-lEg 70 pay just much heed 10 the rights
anc interests Of the capitalist who Is acting de-
csnLy as 10 those Of the wege worker who IS act
ing decenty; but l have not seen the slightest
symptom OF any dereliction of duty by the bureau
or It's CHIEF, Mr. NELL, and II does seem 10 me
wise 20 give the impression that we are penalfzinR
ne bureau because It has IN proper fashion sought
70 represent the labor interests Of the country.
sincerely yours, THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
To Hon. Oscar S. Straus. Secretary Of Commerce
and Labor