The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-03-10

years Of age to s hours. and Ia pre-
vent the working of children under
16 years OF ags at-night-
Opposition 20 this bill Is expected
- come from these States which do
not now have "A State law up 10 the
standard set hy this Federal enid
Ia Dor Hill This makes the bill II
peculiar interest 10 the South. cspe-
cialiy 10 North Carolina. South Caro-
lima Georgia. Florida. Alabama and
Mississippi. For these I'VE States are
further below the standard than any
other States of the American Union.
In fact most Of the other States now
have on their statute books laws go
ing as far, il not farther than this bill
goes. Very naturally. it will he con
tended by those States not up TO the
standard that this bill. if enacted into
law. will interfere with the States
rights. This. argument. however. Will
lose much of its force when ii comes
from those States whose laws are be
low the standard, for the represen-
natives of States. which now forbid
| the employment Of children. as set
out in the bill, viii not look with
much favor upon the old plea Of
[ States rights, when the evident pnr-
pose of such an argument Is to on
tinue in the United States unfair COM
petition.
Will Employers Appear?
1t will be of interest to see whether
| OF not the employers of child labor
in these Southern States will appear
III opposition to the bill If they do
| appear they can make but two posi-
bic arguments, leaving aside, OF
| course, the argument upon States
| rights. which will be handled by the
| members of the two Houses. En-
ployers Of children under the legal
age set may contend that they can
not run their business unless they
are permitted to work young children.
This will not have force, l take
il. with the representatives Of States
where business Is now being run
without using young children.
Neither will it be received with any
great favor at home. For no people
are very proud Of any business which
can not he conducted without the
sacrifice of a large number of small
boys and girls. There will probably
be some hesitation before this ar
gument is offered. The more you
look at it the less OF an argument it
becomes and the more of a reflection
upon both the individual and the
State it Will become.
The only other argument which
could be offered against the enact
ment of this law is that the passing
OF 1t will impose a hardship upon a
large number of people whose chill
dren are now employed in mills and
factories. There will be considerable
hesitation before this will
be offered in opposition to the bill.
owing to the fact that if it is offered
II must be accompanied by a cOnsid-
cradle showing Of poverty, want, and
need.
On this other point there has been
not a little controversy. Mr.. Chas.
L. Neil, Commissioner Of Labor, had
a great deal of opposition in the
southern States, because of the pub
ilsflng of some reports which seemed
To indicate that the people were NOT
as Well Off as they might be.
Now If the manufacturers should
come and say that their people are 81
poor thae they can not live without
: the employment of young children it
+, Will De going much farther than any
!, o. the reports issued from Mr.. Neirs
| department. ever went. To insist
upon THIS with. much earnestness will
; oe 10 proVoke an inquiry into the
9 Whole life. Our manufacturers az
.ne South will not care to bring this
on. ior tnere are q great many things
:, " 49, .hey would prefer not to have
. hldde known. While there have been
: NJ 'stflkes and little labor troubles
{ IItlt are many conditions which will
!. aot meet the approval Of h average
ellcah citizen An Investigation
pfopaoiy SHOW hat these condi-
"'1OA1D dnllnent and noF.
maps the results of-the excass;v. ~
I pioyment Of children.
y me South's Boys and Girls
-, VI course, to be regretted that
any Southern State is SO TO- 100.
y tne standard as tina il will ne ~
eellaily affected by the law. Sill ~
, .act Is that the Southern Statas Iii
IN - anected' and those who favor tha
TOOK with great hopes to i -
ma II Will be the means of Go
= u southern manufacturing states :
enna 20 snow that they can stand
~ WIN any country in the world
~ D business. So long as any So
# n hao a large nuInber of chiidron
fair test 'T T5sss tailed to give Itself a
ilsf soil IS productive. her 6 neon,a lana.
at at' Iealt and are equipped win
49, ieast average 2bnity. An VIZ
- Stdlr Is G1llat- - '.ltI