The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-08
CHILD LABOR LAW
 ID BE ENFORCED
Dr. C. Bush Issues Statement
 Upon His Policy
COMPLETE PLAN OF ACTION
New Mill and Jail Inspector Says the Law Is a Good One and That It Will Be Enforced for the
 Good of the People.

Montgomery, January 7.-(Special.)-Dr c. F. Bush, the new mill and jail in spector, has issued a circular letter in which he says that the law governing the labor of children and the keeping of jails and almshouses in good shape will be fully enforced He says that it will be the policy of his office to go slow, but at the same time children will not be allowed to grow up weddings and prisons be unsanitary deathtraps because of any neglect of the department
 A complete plan for putting the com pulsory education law into effect has been mapped out, and all information and papers may be had by addressing the of flee at the capital. Evidence that the spirit of the law has been kept must be furnished by the children interested. It is also hoped that the schooling will come as early as possible Discussing the circular and the present plans of the de- partment, Dr. Bush says:
 Bushs Statement.
 ''The circular which we have issued is not intended to, in any way, curtail the law, but merely to explain the compui- sorry education feature, to put It on working basis.
 ''We are going to do everything in our power to put the law in force, both Tor the benefit of the people and the mill owners. I am sure it is a good law, and l think the mill owners all over the state will welcome it. It is going to take time to get it into full force. The world was not made in a day, neither has there ever been a real reform accomplished In day, but before many weeks have passed the people of the state of Alabama Will realize that a department for the inspec- tion of falls. cotton mills, etc., exists, and that we are at work in earnest
 "we are all citizens of one common wealth and amenable to its laws, and It will be the policy of this department to work in the interest of all the people. It will be our endeavor to accomplish the most good with the least friction. We are going to be conservative, but at the same time firm and sufficiently radical to get results. We are going to enforce the law as it stands. and if any weak spots show up I think future legislatures can be depended upon to remedy such defects We shall do nothing to inture or Tn any way retard legitimate business. but cer- tain restrictions have been thrown around child labor and these restrictions must be respected and obeyed.
 ''The future boys and girls must not become weddings and grow up in ignor- ance on account of our negligence. l am glad, indeed to find the compulsory edu- cation feature in the law. Eight weeks schooling Is little enough, and sincerely hope the day is not far distant when we can increase this term to 12 weeks or more, and every child have the chance of at least a common school education. We must remember that education for the individual Is education for the state-that the true test of a country's civilization Is the kind of men and women that country produces.
 Youth is the springtime of life; the the season for planting and the seeds scattered then are expected to bud, to bloom and to bear; so If we hope to rear men and women who will be worthy of our great state, we must endeavor not to dwarf their tender lives and minds while young
 we call upon all people. r~ guardians mill owners, sheriffs, boards of county commissioners and the public gen. orally to cooperate with us in the en- forcement of the laws of this depart ment.
 "We especially ask the press of the state that great moulder of public opin- ion, to bear with us just a little while and to aid us in educating the people along the lines laid down.
 'We are going to clean up the jails, improve the conditions in the almshouses and restrict child labor, insofar as the