The Washington herald., 1909-02-28
By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.
VII-CHILDREN WHO WORK.

There are now engaged in gainful oc-
cupations in this country. according 10
the most recent figures, slightly over
1880 children under fifteen years Of
age That many children are earning
their own living. and, in the majority OF
eases, supporting or helping support
someone else. They are working on
farms. in factories. mines, mills, mercan-
tile establishments. theaters. households.
restaurants and almost any other place
where a child can be used. Il has been
stated by those interested In restrictive
legislation that the demand for child Ia
Dor is increasing instead Of decreasing.
While {, Is a sad commentary on This
progressive nation that its commerce
must depend so largely on child labor
and while chiId labor Of a hurtful nature
IA any civilized community is disgrace
to that community, the reforIners have
usually overlooked the fact that the
greater part Of these children are en-
gagged in farm work, where. while the
hours are long, there is a continual out
oor lie OF the 2.0lz go child workers.
/ 81. .266 are working on farms. Two
thirds OF these yOGng agTicultuTists are
In TIE South. and there are four little
negro workers there 10 every three white
ones The professional world claims over
:. 90 children IN its work; trade and trans
portatioa demand Iil.c00 more, and man
ufscturing and like mechanical work use
SO 40. OF the factory workers under
fifteen. there arc. according 10 these re-
cent figures, something over 2ol001 in the
North. and over 54oO0 in the South
It is IN the interest OF the 52s.0o0 or more
young people employed IN manufacturing
industries that public sentiment is ex-
ercisiRg its power so much OF late It
has done much 10 ameliorate bad eoadi-
tions. and expects 10 DO more. The latest
consensus Of opinion on the matter is
to the effect that only 500o0 are now
working under unssnitary conditions -
Even when one considers the enormous
strides that have been taken in the bet
terment of the factory worker within the
past ten years, this number is still too
big 70 be allowed 70 stand This number
IS exactly. half as much as the maximum
strength allowed the entire United States
a. aatf anu "a tiT-Va "a ~ ttNfNtA+Asr ia
py. normal vomanho0d and manhood,
these citizens. in their intellectual. social
and moral development, wOUlG offer 4
better support TO the government and its
Institutions than could be effected b. the
fighting force 1gl.e99 strong.
The revolution in the interest of child
workers is not an Old one The Csnsu:
OF 1870 first brought the matter 10 the
notice OF the people. though the census ot
lSse had showed over million children
working. and the previous one over 7e9
00a When public sentiment does aWakeT
In the United States i does Il with :
thoroughness and an abruptness possible
only in n country where freedom @
speech and freedom Of press are eonsIi
tutioual privileges When the census O
1900 came out. people Of altruistic natur.
and social reformeTs OF the better typ'
began dignifed and just Investigations
At the same time Tis-ccAl- rakers ssaw theil
opportunity and rushed gleefuIly 20 th'
front 20 publish more misinfo-mation an,
offer a greater number Of distevteG fact
than have ever been offered on any on
subject