The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-09
NIGHT WORK OF WOMEN.

Pending in the courts of the state
OF New York is a case of vital impor-
lance not only to the working women
of this entire country but also to the
general social welfare of the nation,
as is pointed out in q bulletin issued
by the American Association for La
Dor Legislation. It involves the con-
stitutionality of the law forbidding
work in factories by women over ~
years of age between the hours OF 10
p. m. and 6 a. m.
In 1907 in New York. the law which
prohibited the work of women over 81
between p. m. and S a. m. was de-
clared unconstitutional by the court
Of appeals on the ground that it inter-
fered with the freedom of contract.
This law was re-enacted in 1913 with
and has again been brought before the
courts for decision as to its constitu-
tionality by the Charles Schweinler
Press.
In America four other states have
night-work prohibition laws. Only
last year was this protective measure
put on the statute books Of Pennsyl-
vania and Nebraska, while a similar
law has applied to manufacturing
establishments in Indiana for a decade
and more. But in Massachusetts alone,
where this measure was enacted a
quarter OF century ago, is to be
found enforcement for a long period
Of time covering the majority Of work
places where women are employed.
How differently has this important
subject been treated in European
countries! There fourteen Of the lead
ing nations have. entirely prohibited
the work of women between certain
periods at night by international
treaty. This treaty is a result of a
conference called by the International
Association for Labor Legislation in
Berne. Switzerland, in 1906. To this
conference delegates were sent by the
governments Of Austria, Belgium.
Denmark. France, Germany. Great
Britain, Holland, Hungary. Italy. Lux
emburg, Portugal. Spain, Sweden and
Switzerland and an International con-
vention forbidding night work for
women was signed by all of the four
teen countries. BY 1912 all of the
countries except Denmark had enacted
legislation cmbodying the provisions
of the convention and had ratified the
treaty.
By the terms of the treaty which
applies to women over Is years Of age
Chose under that age being protected
by the child labor laws), the fourteen
countries bind themselves to allow to
women at least eleven consecutive
hours Of rest at night, and to permit
no night work of women between the
hours of 20 p. m. and a. m. In ad-
dition many of the smaller states and
have indicated their ad-
herence to the provisions of the treaty.
while several of the signatory states
have gone further than the treaty re-
quirements. France, Belgium and
Spain, for instance, have forbidden
night work between p. m. and a.
m. Austria has forbidden night work
between p. m. and a. m, Germany
between p. m. and a. m, and Hol-
land between p. m. and a. m. 1t
is apparent that the women of for
eign countries are receiving protection
that is denied to women in most Amer
lean states.
The findings of the New York fac
tory investigating commission agree
with those of all other scientific inves-
tigatOrs, that the work of women at
night is exceptionally injurious. Loss
of sleep at night, the difficulties Of
sleeping during the daytime in the
noisy, crowded tenements. lack of sun
light, irregular eating, disarrangement
of the normal customs Of life, injury
to eyesight, increased chance of acct
dents-all of these factors combine to
lower vitality. to weaken the power of
discase-resistance, to produce impov-
erished blood and anemia, to weaken
the female functions and generally to
increase morbidity and mortality The
moral dangers, too, cannot be over
looked
Because we in America cannot for
constitutional reasons take part as
nation in such international treaties,
it is all the more necessary that effort
should be made within the various
states. to bring their legislation up at
least to the level of foreign countries.
The evils of night work for women
have frequently been described by
many social workers in this country
including Josephine Goldmark. Irene
Osgood Andrews, Mary Van Kleeck,
Mrs. Raymond Robbins and Florence
Kelley. Americans should work for
this humane legislation and see that
the laws are enforced
u-~rE,nDHG u~ux-On<~r, avx,c