Evening journal., 1913-02-13
SOCIALISM
AS CURE FOR
CHILD LABOR
Not Until Parents Get Full
Return for Labor Will
Problem be Solved,
Ervine Says
HAD RISEN FROM
THE MINES, HE SAYS

Declaring that child labor has been
the rule for ages and that laws and
commissions have tried to eliminate
it. Alexander Ervine. of New York,
informed several hundred people in
the New Century Parlors last even
ing that mot until the fathers and
mothers are given the full product of
their toll, would child labor be abol-
isned.
THE meeting was presided over by
Miss Margaret II. Shearman who in
troduced Norwood l.. Rearick candi-
date for Governor at the last cleo
tion on the Socialist ticket in this
state. Mr. Rearick outlined his rea-
sons for being a member of the move
ment, which he said was the only
feasible plan for the Inauguration OF
the Brotherhood of Man. Herman
Epsteip, Of New York. was the first
speaker of the evening and he intro.
duced Mr.. Ervine.
Mr. Ervine expressed himself as
pleased with his reception, the aud
ience crowding into the hallway ana
standing room being at a premium.
In opening his remarks Mr.. Ervine
referred to the rapid growth OF Soc
ialism and the former attitude of peo-
pie i'm associating Socialism with An
archisnh This has been overcome,
however, he said and on every side
Socialism is cropping up. This sub
jeot. while important to every one as
we'll as to society must be recOkned
with, Mr. Ervine said.
Speaking OF Socialism, Mr.. Ervine
said he could not predict what would
be done under such a government;
in fact. he did not want to say what
his children should do Neither
could the Christian OF the first cen
tury tell what religion would be, Mr.
Ervine said, but they saw the light
in the Christ Carpenter of Galilee and
followed Him.
Whatever it is, Mr. Ervine con-
tinued, the present system, capi-
talism, is under indictment.
In referring to his conversation to
the Socialist movement Mr.. Ervino
said there are millions of people still
living like beasts
81 have lived with them. | was a
miner and the only thing In life to
me as well as to them was a pick
handle. My master was like me. a
part of the system and in me he saw
profits. He squeezed me and gave
literally to the God. I presume Al
last / rebelled and after years ! took
up the pen for the pick / became
a minister and had a great ambition
that was TO be a Christian. Those
others who were ground down ant
not as ambitions as /, nor as strong
continued to live like beasts. Nov
what is the Indictment?
why are these people forced to livl
under such conditions? Why arr
their children not allowed to &,
through the high schools? Think o
the small children in the mills, be
ing denied the beauties of life while
profits are being piled up.
"There has been agitation agains
child labor for years. yet there are
more than one million tots now work
ing in the shops and factories of this
land If we have been all these
years trying to lessen these evils how
long will we be in abolishing IL?
The only way, Mr. Ervine said, Is
to give the father and mother the
product of their toll u was ex-
planned that the heart core Of Social
isf is to cut out profits. There was
applause when the speaker said that
the time is coming when man cannot
invest in the flesh and blood of his
fellow man. In conclusion, in regard
TO that point he said that "the in
dictment against child labor is over,