Arizona republican., 1911-01-20
American Federation of Labor En- dorses Vital Statistics Leg
 isIation

In his annual report for 1910. Sam uel GOmpers. president of the Amer ican Federation of Labor. emphasizes the importance of vital statistics reg istration as a means of regulating and enforcing child labor laws and shows the importance of such laws to labor organizations. Mir GOmpers says:
 Under present conditions of em- ployment there is constant temptation to misstate the age of the child seek ing work. Valid evidence of the date of birth is often lacking Many of the states have wisely set limits to the age at which children may work in gainful employment Without a birth certificate. the age of a child is always in doubt In such case. neither the employer nor the factory inspector can feel safe in permitting the child's employment. In recent paper. an authority said:
 "'Of 2SO00 children. native-born and foreign born alike. who get work ing papers each year in New York City between the ages of 14 and Is years. three-quarters have birth ccr- tificates. The remaining quarter. who fail to get birth certificates. are ma tive American children and those who come from certain parts of Russia or from the earthquake district of Italy What earthquake and revolution do in Europe. official slovenliness ac- complishes throughout the greater part of this nation. in depriving the children and citizens of the most fundamental of all vital and indus trial statistics. the record of births
 Tt is thus seen that the registra- tion of births lies at the basis of vital statistics. the necessary founda- tton of modern health organization. and hence is indispensable for the safety of the lives of children as well as the older members of the com munities in cases of preventable dis cases. but. what is especially to the point with the wage workers of any community, is most important in or der that the legislation for the Vre- vention of child labor shall be car ried out thoroughly. Evidence should be furnished by certificate made out at the time of birth by the attend ing physician. filed with the local registrar of vital statistics, and pre- served at the office of the state reg istrar at the capital of the state. ac- cording to the requirements of the | model law for the registration of vital !! statistics which has been recommend | ed by number of the foremost | health and medical associations of | the union, as we'll as by the bureau | of census. and has already been car ried out in practice in several states. |
 If laws providing for a free and | happy childhood and the prevention of the ills which follow from the em- ployment of children under legal age are to be enforced, there should be the means of obtaining evidence of age beyond doubt
 Is there d law for the registration of births and deaths in state and rity?, Is it thoroughly enforced? Are the births of children registered and if not. why not?'
 Information on this subject may be obtained from the Division of Vital Statistics. Department of Commerce | and Labor. Bureau of Census. Wash ngton, D. C. The officers of our fed eration will certainly aid in securing | this information.~
 This official statement on the part r If Mir. GOmpers insures the interest md cooperation of the labor unions.