Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-11
LABOR
HIT BY MISS
Adams
Famous SuHragist, in Atlanta
Declares Woman's Vote Will
Bring Georgia Reforms,

Miss Jane Adams, first vice presi-
dent of the National Suffrage Asso-
citation and the principal speaker al
the great suffrage mass meeting
Wednesday night at the Atlanta The
alter, is particularly interested in the
suffrage movement in Georgia. by
reason of it's close relation to the
greatly needed child labor legislation
in this State.
Miss Adams and her party ar
rived from Birmingham Wednesday
morning and went to the Georgian
Terrace. With her were Mrs. James
Lees Laidlaw, of New York; Mrs
Stanley Mccormick, of Chicago; Mrs
Catherine Ruutz-R ees, of Greenwich
Conn. and Mary Ware bennett, oil
New York
There are two things to be consid
cred in advocating proper child labor
laws and their strict enforcement in
any state not so equipped" said Miss
Adams.
Georgia Far Behind.
First and foremost, there is the
duty Of the State itself to its chill
dren. Next, there is the obvious in
justice of penalizing, as it we're, other
States more advanced in such legisla
ton by permitting sister State to
compete with factories employing a
cheaper class of workers.
These are intensely practical
views. Georgia, | regret 10 say, is
among the States farthest behind
both in child labor laws and in means
of enforcing such as it has; in fact,
am informed that Georgia practically
is without provisions for enforcing
child labor legislation.
statistics show, too, that 81 pei
cent-say -third-ot the cottoN
mill employees are under Is years Of
age. That is, indeed, matter fol
serious consideration.
Now. what effect would equal sur
frage have on this situation?
Il can answer that best by referrinE
to the States where suffrage has beer
achieved. 1t invariably is the case
that among the first legislation sought
by enfranchising women, the problems
OF child labor and compulsory educa-
ton have held "a high place.
Naturally, it is to be assumed that
the same would be true in Georgia.
am sure you will find that the most
earnest workers for these causes in
the State to-day are the thinking
women And why not? Is it not
natural that the women Of State
the mothers-should have the well
fare OF it's children nearer their
hearts than any other thing? This is
a matter of history, but, better than
that, it is a matter of nature.
Compulsory Education.
u understand, too, there is opposi =
ton in this State to compulsory edu-
cation legislation. That is regretta .
Bile. because compulsory education
goes hand in hand with child labor
laws. The one is positive, the other
Is negative, and they are in large
degree interdependent
when a child under ~ or Is years
OF age is not permitted to be put TO
work, the obvious alternative is 10
send II to school The converse is
equally evident. In some States a
large amount OF discretion is af-
forded by the working OF both laws.
II the q a ! is not at work, it must
be in SC ~, up to a certain age. The
discretionary provisions OF such laws
make it possible for children Of more
than a certain age to work, II the
welfare of the family demands it,"
Guests at Luncheon.
Most OF the morning was taken ur
with an executive meeting Of the sur
ftage board in room No. 225 at the
Georgian Terrace At / o'clock Miss
Adams and her party were among
sixteen guests entertained at lunch
con by Atlanta members Of the board,
and from to o'clock the public re-
ception was planned
This function was arranged to be
held in the lounglng room Of the
Georgian Terrace, and the public was
invited TO meet the distinguished WIS.,
itOrS