Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-05
SAVING THE YOUNG
Methodists Condemn Employ
ment of Children in Mills.
TEXTILE DISTRICT REVIEW
General Conference of Church Ap-
points Committee on Legislation.
LAW AGAINST CHILD LABOR
Retirement of Bishops From Active
Duty at Age of rs Proposed in
Resolution.
LAW AGAINST CHILD LABOR

MINNEAPOLIS, May 4.-Employment
of children under sixteen years old in the
factories and textile mills of the United
States was denounced at the General
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church today.
To investigate charges that in the
textile mills alone 100 baby hands are
yearly lost as a sacrifice to the greed Tor
wealth." and to formulate an appeal to
all churches to fight for national legisla-
ton against child labor, the appointment
of a commission of fifteen ministers was
ordered whose duty it will be to go thor
oughly into the subject.
1t was announced that 10000 ministers
of the church would institute vigorous
warfare against what was asserted to be
one of the greatest of modern evils.
Resolution Adopted.
Bringing the matter before the confer
ence in the form of a resolution. Henry
j. Coker of Denver, Col. asked for adop-
ton the following:
That we, representatives from the
whole earth. declare our utter condemna-
ton and most determined hostility to
this shameful custom in our own fair
America, and respectfully urge our
churches officials in state and nation,
both executive, judicial apd legislative, to
do their utmost to abolish this great evil
from our national domain and the whSie
earth.
"In their greed for gain employ ers
have in this country put about 2,5OO.0OO
children under sixteen years OF age in
mills. mines, factories and messenger
service" Mr. Coker declared. .'Of the
ah{ tn, hn to- a
are informed that 10000 are under twelve
years of age, and in those mills yearly
about 100 baby hands are cut off by ma
chinery. In the glass factories there are
100 children: in sawmllls 5000, and IN
cigar factories 1900 children handle
cigars at the rate of s cents per thou
sand.
'An Appalling Commentary"
This is an appalling commentary on
modern civilization. Who is it we hear
crying on the street corners, Suffer lit
tie children to come unto me?' Is it Je-
sus Christ or the greed for gain? 1t is
about time we realize the suffering and
calamity which modern civilization is i'm
posing upon. the children.
Edgar G. Richardson of Bristol, Conn.,,
thought the mere adoption Of resoll-
tions was not sufficient. His call for the
appointment of a commission to suggest
that all ministers in the church pledge
themselves to fight child labor was passed
amid prolonged applause.
Age Limit for Bishops.
Henry Wade Rogers of New Haven.
Cone, secured the reference of a resolu-
ton which provides a mage limit for
bishops and for their retirement from
active service when they have reached
the age of seventy-five The resolution
also provides that the bishops may be
relieved from travel when they reach
the age of seventy, if the board of bish-
OPS so desires. In either case they are
permitted to choose their own place Of
residence after retirement
Dean Rogers declared that the system
Of retirement by the conference is wrong,
that an age limit should be established,
as in the U. S. Army.
Reviews Chinese Conditions.
]. w. Bashford. bishop of the Methodist