The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-11-25
NI''IIB0I''

Gl|l|l |! L!ADU
The W. q Hi fLARo 4 COM
MlTTEE HELD ITS REGULAR
AN Y AL M EETlNGs IN iPARkERs..
5U Re nov q, 1sIt; AND ELECT.
q ED The 20 OWN a o OFFICERS
The constitution was amended so
as to. abolish the distinction between
active and associate members, ana
the membership fee was reduced from
two dollars a year toione dollar.
The West Virginia Child Labor Com.
mittee has been. In existence since
1905, The name adequately suggests
the character and sphere Of activity
for which It stands, IT works in CO.
operation With the National Child La.
Dor Committee. l.F y.
Existing child labor conditions in
West Virginia make such organized
andisystematic! work as is contemplate.
ed by this committee desirable and
necessary 1T Is of course wIth:refcr.
ence to Sspch work as Is hurtful, ex.
cesslve. and encryating that We feel
compelled to take the steps properly
to- safeguard the lives. health and de-
yelopment OF the children. In all
States. the duty OF protecting the chill.
dren In respect to labor is recognized,
and In q number of States legislation
is much further advanced than in West
Virginia. tits hoped that the COM
mittee will be able to crystalline pub
lie sentiment and thereby render a
valuable public service.
A good step was taken by our last
Legislature In the direction OF secul
Ing needed Legislation. We are fortu.
nate in having ,an3 excellent compul.
sorry education law, for Of course child
labor restriction and compulsory edu.
cation must go together, II either is to
be- effective. The prohibition OF child
labor may produce idleness II the
child Is not; in school, and compulsory
education Will not accomplish its pur,
pose. when the child works to excess
during the hours when the school Is
not in session, AT present children
under fourteen may not be employed
in factories. mills and workshops. and
children from fourteen to sixteen may
be SO employed;only upon presentation
Of certificates. issued by local schoo:
authorities after proof OF age and eyl.
dence Of schooling through the fourth
/ grade are submitted. A valuable flea,
turc OF the law secured last winter
Is that trrant officers and agents of
the. State Humane Society have the
power TO inspect factories as to child
labor and to report violations lol
prosecution. Il;
Il Itpwill bes seenNthat our laws are
splendid us far as they go. We need
better measures flor their enforce.
ment. however. Atgpresenttoo much
! is expected oflthe Commission OF La
Dor. would be physically impossible
! for him TO :'accomplishsthe necessary
inspection. There oughtftoibe compe.
ltent and salaried factory; inspector ..
Then We need more legislation. There
! are other lines of work that must be
! included under the age limit! especial.
y in some instancesaof employment
dangerous TO morals:J. We have at
present 10 Limitation on the number
ior hours Of work. Laborat night and
at dangerous occupations should be
prohibited for children between four
teen and sixteen. "A H
| Experienced workers In behalf Of
the children know that the mere set
ting forth OF these needs will not OF It.
I, self secure the legislation and en-
J forcement in question. There must be
/ active and untirlng, cooperation or
the part of the friends of the children
1 Any resident Of the State may show
his interest by subscribing one doila,
or more; this will entitle him to nj
publications and reports OF the com
ml;tee. The money and the name fol
! membership may be sent to the secre
tary. Miss Nola Mckinney, Falrmont
w. Va, and she will remit the none!
to the treasurer. or the money may b.
] sent directly to the. treasurer. Mrs
Mary L. Isathbone. Parkersburg. "
!; va. 56$55%4. III,
EGqThose interested may further ad
!: vance the cause by introducing TIL
subject into church gatherings. Sun
day school meetlnsg.2 women's clubs
and other suitable. organizations
thereby creating interest, and dlssem
mating information. The COMMITTEE
: welcomes the expression of sympath,
with Its aims iniresolutlons from sucl
I bodies. The committee will also Vi
glad to cooperate by furnishing lltel
AZURE and speakers when so requested
Correspondence should be with the sec
rotary Of the committee. 81
1t NAV be we'll 10 add that there |