Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-01-19
CHILD LABOR DAY.

NV" AoFh-Ine NHt1Onal Child Labor committee at its annual meet ing just held in New York City is sued call to the churches os Amer lea inviting them to observe Sunday, January 2s, or Saturday, January 27. 1912, as Child Labor Day. The com mittee report shows that during the year just closed better child labor laws have been passed in thirty states, and that the Commission on Uniform Laws of the American Bar Association has prepared and sent out to the public model child la DOT law to be used as a standard of uniformity in all states.
 These notable gains in the devel- opment of child labor reform :n America indicate the widespread public interest and the timeliness of such observance of the day as the committee invites.
 Although these gratifying results have been secured, the report of the committee also calls attention to conditions against which every church ought to issue it's protest, especially against the abuse of young children in coal mines. glass factories, cotton mills, cigar and cigarette factories, oyster and shrimp canneries, and in the sweat shops of many large cities. Particular atten- ton is called to the fact that al though there are over thirteen thou sand licensed tenement workshops in New York City alone, and that these licenses cover but fraction of the houses in which home work is actually done by children. thera is at present no law to adequately combat this evil
 Last year the committee annourc- ed that child labor in the night mes senger service had been abolished in but two states. Through the con tinued activity of the committee nine other states have been added to the list this year, and the morals and health of these children thus safe-guarded But in majority of states it is still possible for young boys to be subjected to all the moral hazard involved in this service, and vigorous measures are demanded 10 corrent the abuse
 Tn issuing this call to the churches the National Child Labor committee makes three facts. clear:
 First, that it is not asking the churches to contribute funds to it's work on that date. Funds are n2ed- ed, and will be gladly accepted, but fhe chief desire of the committee is to have the facts brought to public attention. The committee offers it. self as the agent of the churches in arousing a healthy protest against the abuse of child labor, and through ats wide cooperation undertakes to do what isolated organization could not do.
 Second, the date mentioned is only The committee will ap- preciate "a public address on that late or some other more convenient date, or a brief discussion of the sub- ject in Sabbath school, mid-week young peoples meeting, or in any manner most appropriate to local customs. In churches observ- ing a Saturday Sabbath, January 27 is suggested.
 Thad, the committee offers to send without charge up-to-date in formation covering the general sub ject of child labor, of any specific phase clergymen may wish to dis cuss. A postcard or letter asking for pamphlets or bulletins to assist in preparation for the service. ad- dressed to owen R. Lovejoy. General Secretary. National Child Labor Comulibtee. 105 East 22d street, New York City, will meet with prompt response.