The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-12-07


leans press several criticisms of the
child labor law, especially in its applica-
ton to children engaged in theatrical
companies. 1t is proposed to amend the
present law SO. as to relieve children in
theatrical companies from the effects of
its operation. The following bearing on
the question may be perused with in
terest:
New Orleans, Dec. 4, 1909.
Editor of the States-Dear Sir: For
the information of the public wish to
explain the provisions of the Louisiana
child labor law in regard to the issuing
of age certificates.
The law specifically states that no
child under the age of IA years can be
employed in any mill, factory, workshop
etc, where more than FIVE persons are
employed, or in or about any theater,
concert hall or place of amusement
where Intoxicating liquors are sold.
The law further provides that between
the hours of 7 pm. and 6 am. no boy
under the age of 10 years, and no girl
under the age of IS years, can be en-
ployed in any of the above mentioned
places except in stores and mercantile
establishments on Saturday nights and
twenty days before Christmas.
In order to protect the child and the
manufacturer certificate of age is is
sued by the factory inspector to all boys
between the ages of IA and 10 years, and
to all girls between the ages of ID and
Is years.
After the boy is 10 and the girl is Is
the child labor law has no further juris-
diction. The certificates of age are for
the purpose of proving and showing to
the employer the age of the child; ;
therefore, if any theatrical manager had
child on his stage after z pm. he did
so in violation of section S, which for
bids night work for children.
Ignorance of the provisions of the
law is no excuse, especially so in the
case of theatrical managers, as several
of them have already been arrested for
violation of section s. Therefore, if any
manager claimed he held permits from
the factory inspectors Office which
would allow children to appear on his
stage on amateur nights he stands self
convicted as law-breaker
These are the provisions for issuing
age certificates, and no power is invest
ed in any one to extend or abridge them.
Following are some of the reasons
why the Era Club and friends of the
| child labor movement will oppose any
amendment which endangers the protec-
ton of children under 10 and Is from
being employed at night labor.
/. Due to the changed industrial con-
ditions which are calling more and more
each year the women and children from
the home, the protection of the children
must be made stronger in protection as
the temptations increase.
2. Due to the large wage paid the
children who appear upon the stage for
few years, it has been found that they
are rendered absolutely. unfit for the
more monotonous, poorly paid work Of
the industries, and which is their only
honest alternative for making a living
when the period of juvenile attractive
ness is passed.
g. To give discretionary powers to
any one to issue special permits affords
an opportunity for discrimination which
makes a strict enforcement Of the Law
Impossible.
| 4. To discriminate between what con-
stitutes reputable first class theaters ane
dramas and those considered dangerous
Ito the morals of the children is so large
1y matter of personal opinion that any
discretionary power would render thu
official SO empowered subject to count
Hess libel suits.
S. Discrimination which would permit
certain theaters to employ children
while denying the same privilege to 9th
ers, would, under class legislation, rem
der the law unconstitutional.
| s. To grant permits to travelling com
panies employing children would be i'm
practicable for Immediately every chill;
player in the State would claim to be .
nonresident.
I !. The plea that children need to ap-
pear on the stage while young can b
disposed of by recalling many artists o
leminent note who did not come before
the public until after the age limit Sc
| in the law The idea that the genius Of
Ia Charlotte Cushman or Jefferson
would have been stifed had they beei
debarred from appearing on the stage
lin childhood is not worthy of serious
consideration Real talent and geniu
lare divinely inspired and all the human
flaws in the world could not suppress
Them.
The question, therefore, which tn