New-York tribune., 1912-01-25
FIGHT OVER CHILD BUREAU
Senate, After Stormy Debate,
Aurees to Vote Next Tuesday.
BILL BITTERLY ATTACKED
Railev Resents Efforts to Put
Children on Level with Pigs
Borah Quotes Watterson.
lFrom ~ Tribune BureaUI J

Washington. Jan. 24-TwO hours oi
-, discussion resulted in the Senate to-
dsv when senator Borah called up for con-
slderation his bill providing for the estd"-
Ijshment Of children's bureau In the De-
,ert,,,nt Of Commerce and Labor for the
rurnoye Of gathering statistical Information
relating 10 conditions affecting children
senator's Bailey and Overman led the
fight against the measure. Both interposeu
the doctrine Of states rights as an obstacle
ia the passage Of the bill. and invelgheo
against ''the invasion Of the homes OF the
pcople." particularly Of the people or the
south by governmental agencies intent on
"scrutinizing the parental relations oi
mothers toward their children
Senator Bailey made the Illuminating
argument that he did not wish 10 see the
children Of the United States placed on
the same level as pigs. which are objects OF
interest to federal s;atisticians, and de-
clared that each state should be left TO take
caro- Of it's own people as it pleased lie
attacked the bill, as taxing the people OF all
the states 10 show how bad were the con-
6itjorg affecting children in particular
states.
Senator Overman. who came TO the de-
NJ
close Of the last session by overlooking the
cotton schedule prepared by his party col
leagues in the House with revision OF the
chemical schedule that stands as the most
colossal tariff Joke of the session, vehement
" resented the insinuation that the cotton
mills Of his state objected to disclosures or
the conditions under which children are
omployed. but he devoted himself to
eulogy Of the sacredness Of the humble
home, which all OF us came FROM and de-
nounced the intrusion on ii of long-halreo
men and short haired women who assume
IN know more about children than parents
themselves"
Objections we're made by other Senator'S
hut in a mllder vein.
Mr. Works. OF California. the Christian
Scientist Of the Senate. offered an amend
r,ent restricting the distribution or the re-
rortH Of the proposed bureau 20 such 1egls-
latures and boards Of health as apply Tor
them. on the ground that general distrlou-
ton Of statistics Of this character is not
good for the public.
Tho Southern Senators. Bailey especially
have never recovered from their indigna-
tion because the appalling conditions at
tending the employment Of child labor IN
the Southern mills were disclosed as the
result Of an investigation conducted by the
Bureau OF Labor at the demand OF Con-
Sress some time ago
The Senate agreed to vote next Tuesday
on the Borah bill and on amendments sug-
rested by Senators Works and Pomerene
10 limit the circulation Of the bureaus re-
PORTS.
DoIf rpftfrienh what he
said we're Mr. Borahs efforts TO put chill
dren on p level with pigs" he aroused sena-
tor Borsh,
The effort is to raise them 10 the Level
Of pies." he replied Mr.. Borah has con-
tended that government expenditure OF
millions Of dollars for information concern
ing the condition Of hogs and cattle JUST.
hes the $4,000 asked for the Children's BG'
resu.
Mr.. Bailey said it was mere faddism'
and there was too much legislation in the
interest of livestock. adding that at tn
present rate we will soon he sending {
schcoImaster into etery district
According to Colonel Wstterson. that Il
Just what you are about to DO" Mr. Borai
reioined
Mr. Bailey replied that his part OF th'
PARTY had no such intention.
Senator Overrnan criticised reports o.
chnd labor Investigators. Some Of those
reports he said. told of children chewing
tobacco"
Wasn't there a strong opposition to thai
investigation from the cotton mill owners
Of your stste?" demanded Senator Dixon
Mr.. Overmsn said he had not heard Of it.
Senators Hepburn and Thornton opposed
the bill and Senator Hitchcock spoke in IA
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