The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-06-08
CHILD LABOR IN
ENGLISH SHOPS
Conditions There Discussed in
Report Made to National
Bureau of Labor

Washington, June S.-"Many of the
conditions surrounding women and
child workers in Great Britain are
bad. Conditions in which the. lives of
these workers are passed seem to
casual observation worse than that of
similar workers in most parts of
America. But the darkest spots in
America are in many ways as dark as
any Of those in the older country"
This is the comparison of indus
trial conditions in tho United States
and Great Britain affecting women
and children, made by Victor S. Clark.
an agent of the national bureau of
labor, which has just been given to
the press. Mr.. Clark's study of the
situation Of woman and child wage
earners in Great Britain has develop
ed facts of great interest to our peo-
pie. Because the modern factory sys-
tenn began in England, and, together
with material blessings, brought So
cial evils, the first factory laws were
enacted in that country.
Since then constant conflict has
continued between the destructive
forces of untrammeled industry, sac
rificing its servants to it's dominant
end. production, and the protective in
tervention of society, staying those
forces in the interest of humanity.
This conflict has resulted in a highly
developed system of factory legisla-
tion, based on over a century of ex-
periencc.
But Mr.. Clark found many evils
still afflicting workers for which rem
hdies remain to be discovered. Recent
enactments and projected laws do not
stop at the facorties and workshops,
put seek to correct abuses in the
homes of the operatives.
Women Substituted for Children.
Mr.. Clark points out that in certain
respects the laws regulating the en-
eloyment Of children were more ad-
tanced in Great Britain seventy-flve
fears ago than they are in some
American states now. The effect of
the British laws has been to cause
women to be substituted for children
% low paid occupations. Children
bow may begin to work in afctory
sr workshop, or above ground at a
nine, when IL years old, providing
they secure a certificate of physical
ttness from an official examining SUR
seon. that they have passed in school
certain required standard set by the
pcal authorities, and that they con-
inue to attend school regularly in
talf time
Half time workers may work either
Eternate days or in morning or after
loon shifts, attending school tho re-
haining days or shifts. In the latter
!ase. the shifts must be alternated
zach successive week. At 13 years
lld child with the proper physical
certificate may begin working full
inc in g factory, or underground in
mine, provided he or she has passed
he fifth grade or has attended school
I've full years of 1850 attendances"
hnce years old. Otherwise a child
smains half timer until IA.
At IA, children become young per-
pms" in the eyes of the British law
Ind remain SO until 18 years old.
fhero is no further educational re-
luirement. but in order to acquire this
tatus they must be re-examined and
must secure new physical certificate
rom the certifying surgeon. In tex
lie factories young persons may
fork, subject to the legal meal in
ervals, from or a. m. to 6 or Z p.
b.. respectively, so long as the ag~
regate hours do not exceed fifty-five
md one-half weekly and in other fac
bries either the same hours or from
n. m. to p. m., and not more than
iXty hours in one week. There is a
hort day Saturday.
Women are in most cases subject to
he same regulations as young per-
bns except that in certain industries
hey may work a limited amount of
kertime. When working in his fam