The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-08-29
CHILD LABOR BILL.
Measure Would Bar Products
From Interstate Trade.
NEW FIELD FOR CONTROL.

Congressman CopIey of Illinois Intro
duces Bill to Require Secretary of
Labor to Register Goods - Some
what Similar to Pure Food Bill.
Federal prohibition of child labor in
novel form is the purpose Of a bill
introduced in the house of representa-
tves by Ira G. Copley, congressman
from Illinois.
The bill is based on the principles of
Senator Beveridge's original proposal
In 1907, denying the right of interstate
transportation to the products of child
labor. Manufacturers, producers, in
terstate carriers, jobbers and whole
salers are made responsible for unlaw-
full shipments. By a revision similar
to that of the pure foods and drugs
act commerce remains free to goods
stamped or labeled Registered under
the federal child labor act" Ship
ments from states having satisfactory
child labor laws are exempted from
the operation of the proposed law.
The bill provides
That the employment of child under
fourteen years of age in any mill, fac
tory. cannery, workshop, manufacturing
or mechanical establishment; of child
under sixteen years of age in any coal
mine coal breaker, coke oven, quarry or
in any establishment where poisonous or
dangerous acids, gases or dyes are used
manufactured or packed, or in any es-
adjustment wherein the work done or
materials or equipment handled are dan
gerous to the life and limb injurious to
the health or morals of such a child, is
hereby designated and defined as anti
social child labor and as detrimental to
the general welfare and debasing to COM
MERGE
The unusual phrase "anti-social child
labor is used to express the motive of
the proposed legislation; the protection
of society from the stunning of future
generations. 1t is the purpose of the
bill to bring the products of anti-sociaI
child labor within the supreme courts
classification, of OUTLAWS of com
merce" In its preparation Congress
man Copley has had the assistance of
the legislative reference committee of
The bill does not so to the extent of
the uniform child labor law in prohib
iting all forms of harmful child labor
thus avoiding many practical difficult
ties. Nh Copley's proposal is to es-
tablish minimum standard to be en-
forced nationally.
The administrative provisions of the
m Of In
shall make Il public list of the bust
nesses and industries affected. together
with a list of their products
Any manufacturer or producer may
make affidavit that he does not employ
the aid of anti-social child labor and be
authorized by the secretary of labor to
stamp or label his goods as registered
under the act.
No carrier shall transport and no
manufacturer or iobber shall ship ini-
TALLY in interstate commerce the prod
ucts of anti-social child labor.
The secretary of labor, after eXami-
nation of the laws. shall certify what
states have laws which substantially
prohibit and effectively prevent anti
Socidl cIliIu liboi az uehhcu' Nhclo
upon the provisions of the act shall not
apply to such states.
A false statement to a common car
rier concerning the fact of employment
of child labor or whether the shipment
is an initial shipment is made punish
able by fine. A carrier is permitted to
refuse to accept shipments where the
shipper refuses to make such written
statement on demand.
The bill. while based largely on ac-
cepted principles, comprehends a dis
tinct expansion in theories of federal
control. A machinery of administra-
ton is presented which has no dupli-
cate in the federal government.