Evening journal., 1915-03-27
SATURDAY MAR. 27. 1915
THERE SHOULD BE NO PREJUDGMENT.

IN HIS is the organization that has effected by
the State Labor Commission, created by the
recent Legislature to take the place of the old Child
Labor Commission and embrace within its functions
the enforcement only of the Child Labor law but
also OF the Tcn-Hour Labor Law:
Chairman, Charles Warner. OF wilmngton secre-
tsry, Miss Helen s. Garrett OF Wilmington chief in
specor i'm charge of the Child Labor Division, Charles
H. Grantland Of Wilmington, Speaker of the House of
Representatives; deputy inspector. in charge OF the
Tcn-Hour Law Department, Miss Mary S. Malone Of
Wilmington.
II the social welfare workers in our city and State
have any fault whatever TO find with that organization
must upon Inspector Grantland II also
be based uponthc broad grounds that he is politi-
clan and that it is fundamental creed of theirs that
politician cannot make good inspector in tho social
welfare field
Certainly they cannot attack ,ether the intelligence
the energy of Mr. Grantland He has both those
qualities Whether he will permit his political asso-
Citations and activities to interfere with his welfare
work and defeat or impair the objects il the Child
Labor law and the Ten-Hour law remains to be
With respect TO that, matter how enaciously the
social welfare workers may cling their that
politician make efficient social welfare
inspector he is clearly entitled least a suspension
OF public judgment His work will speak for itself
develops II will be entitled to fair weights in all
minds.
Preiudgment Of a new and untried public official is
dangerous no matter whether it be INDUCED in for his
benefit his injury Il should not be forgotten that
many Of the most promising have turned out to
be bad and inefficient and that many Of those who
have been among the most unpromsing have turned
out to be good and efficient. In other words rule
IL is much safer to praise or censure public upon
what he has actually done refused to do than il is
10 praise him upon what it is
thought he may or may not do That certainly ap-
plies with full force to Mr. Grantand whose appoint
already is being criticized by those who have an
abiding faith in the creed of the Child Labor workers
that mani who is a politician make a good Child
Labor inspector 1t is safe to that before his
term ends his work will show whether that creed is
based upon an nfallible principle
AS regards Miss Malone, the deputy inspector, she
already has revealed her efficiency and in the
forcement of the Ten-Hour law and won golden opn-
ions from all sides Certainly of the social well
fare workers make exception TO her retention by
the commission. Her work in the past speaks for
itself and gives substantial prejudgmont with
respect to the future In that respect she differs from
Mr. Grantland the chief inspector. He starts with no
past record for social welfare work and will make
mar his career by what he does inspector with
many critical eyes Watching his every movement
That Mr. Grantland is ambitious to make good IN the
eyes of the public he has shown in matters not asso-
catod with the Child Labor question. His rise in
State politics within comparatively short time shows
that clearly We do not think it fair for anyone
TO intimate that in the discharge Of the duties his
Office he will permit himself TO be made the crea-
of selfish interests. He is entitled to fair chance
to MAKE good If he does it, he will be deserving of
praise
Mr.. Warner, the chairman, is business with
large interests and recognized executive ability In
addition, he is interested in social welfare work Miss
Garrett is connected officially with of the largest
industrial plants in this county and her interest in
welfare work has been challenged. Both of them
in position to show what they can accom-
pish, with the assistance of two inspectors the
benefit Of the womanhood and childhood of our city
ana State In embarking upon their work they should
have the very best wishes OF everyone especially
OF those who feel that the principle underlying
cal welfare laws is more important than the person
aty of any agent appointed TO enforce them.