Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-28
WAR BEGUN
On CHILD
LABOR

A fight to abolish child labor in
Georgia was inauguarated in the As
sembly Friday morning. Three bills,
designed to remedy present condi-
tons, were introduced in the upper
branch by President of the Senate
Randolph Anderson and Senator Fred
Kea. In the House, a measure aimed
at reform child labor was introduced
by representative Sheppard.
Senator Kea announced that the
two bills Of which he is author. which
compel factories to furnish informa-
ton regarding labor conditions to
the Department Of Commerce and
Labor, and compel factories to pro-
vide seats for women employees, were
suggested by H. NJ. Stanley, head Of
the Georgia Department of Commerce
and Labor, and have the backing Of
the unions. They embody recon-
mendations made in a report submit
ted to the unions by an investigating
committee several months ago, II is
said.
Senator Andersons bill goes into
detail regarding the ages at which a
child can work in a factory. 1t con-
tains the following provisions:
Features Of Anderson Bill.
After 1918 no child under II years
OF age shall be employed in a factory
or other Industrial institution
After 1914 no child under 10 years
Of age shall be employed.
After 1915 no child under IA years
of age shall be employed.
Senator AndersOns bill provides
also for the repeal of section 3146 Of
the Code Of 1910. which provides that
no child under the age of IA shall be
employed, unless the child can read
and write. He offers as a substitute
the provision that no child between
the ages of II and 16 shall be EN-.
ployed unless the child can read
ordinary English and write ordinary
English sentences. If there is doubt
Of the child's ability to read or write,
the matter shall be referred to an
agent of the Department Of Com
merce and Labor for decision.
The bill makes a violation Of the
law a misdemanor.
Factory Conditions Hit.
Senator Kea,s bills are directed
more at reforming factory conditions
and taking care of women workers.
One of his bills requires the owners
Of a factory to give to the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor infor-
nation regarding labor conditions.
hours Of labor, earnings of the la
borers, the character and amount of
labor employed, and all other infor-
nation that might be requested by
the Department of Commerce and
Labor.
His other bill makes it incumbent
upon factory owners to provide suit
able seats for all women employees,
and permit their use when the EN-
ployees are not actively engaged in
the work of the plant.
The labor bills attracted consider
able attention among the members
of the Senate. Senator Anderson and
Senator Kea are confident that they
will pass without opposition.
Similar Bill in House.
child labor bill was introduced in
the House Friday morning by Repre-
sentative Sheppard of Sumter Coun-
ty. 1t provides a scale of ages under
which child may not be employed
this limit being placed at IL years in
1913, not under 10 years in 1914, and
not under Ia years in 1915.
One section of the bill states that
no child over IA years Of age and I'M
der Is who cannot read will be per-
mitted to be employed in any fac
tory, mill or workshop. A penalty
is provided by making the onense a
misdemeanor.
A compulsory education bill was
introduced by Representative Full
bright of Burke County requiring all
children under IA years of age to at
tend schools at least so days during