The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-05-08

are. astonished and revolted by what
seems to many of them the unpar-
alleled ruthlessness of the exploiters
of women and children in industry in
persistently opposing just and hu-
name legislation for the protection of
these workers. For years every
measure aiming to better conditions
has been resisted and attacked by a
well-known group of wealthy manu-
facturers.
AS public opinion, enlightened by
unanimous medical opinion and forti-
fled by the example of tested legisla-
ton in other States, has emphasized
it's demands for justice, the opposi-
ton has become more vigorous and
virulent.
There is no longer any concealment
of purpose. Pretense of regard for
the welfare of workers has been
abandoned, and the right of industry
to coin the health and strength of
women and children into profits is
boldly asserted.
The utter heartlessness of the cam
! paign is revealed in the fact that the
laws proposed in Harrisburg would
merely put Pennsylvania manufact-
urers on a virtual equality with those
of the chief competing States. But
equality the antagonists of the meas
| ures do not want; what they demand
Is a "differential'-a advantage over
their competitors through the impos-
| ing upon their workers of harsher
conditions than prevail elsewhere.
Behind this movement are gather
| ed imposing forces of manufacturers
| of all kinds, but its leaders are men
who themselveQ hre employers of
women and children and are deter
mined to wiring the utmost profits
| from the cheap labor.
l. Although the situation in Penn
sylvania has features peculiarly Of
fensive, it Is an error to suppose that
| it is Unique. The same classes of
| business interests in other states use
similar endeavors to accomplish the
| industrial enslavement of the work
ers.
We reported only a few weeks ago
the maneuvers of manufacturing in
| terests to destroy even the meager
protection that Delaware had granted
to child laborers Within fortnight
the Republican legislature of New
York, at the demand of the Grundies
of that great and wealthy state,
passed cannery bills which even
party organs denounced as villain
ously inhuman-which were, jim fact,
so monstrous that Governor Whitman
was compelled to force their recall
for amendment. The inspiration of
the bills was unconcea1ed avarice-
they were demanded on the sole
ground that they would increase pro
fits. =: ::::-:::: - =:
| Pennsylvania, then, Is not a region
of unique depravity in the matter :of
exploiting. the helpless. Every state
has its Grundies, but year by year the
force of public opinion becomes more
potent in defeating their malign ef-
forts. -
=. The Attack on Ben Lindsey.
The most CONSPICUOUS manifesto
ton of the system has been revealed
in Colorado, and has just lately been
deeply impressed upon the public
mind through the exposure and
smashing Of another disgraceful con.
spiracy against Judge Ben B. Lind
sey: Pennsylvania who would un.
derstand the forces with which hu.
name legislation must contend should
study the history of this man and
the almost incredible ferocity of the
attacks upon him.
Several months ago we printed in
this column a partial list of the laws
reforms and institutions promoted by
Judge Lindsey for the benefits OF
good government. justice and hui
mainly. There were more than 6(
items, any one of which would b.
sufficient to establish a mans reputa
ton as a useful citizen. AS a. fact, i
has been stated with truth that "h'
has written upon the statute books
of his state laws that have been cop
led round the world and has institu
ted a reform in criminal jurisprud
ence that is as revolutionary in ou
day as the teachings of Christ were il
the 'eye-for-an-eye' days of the Mo
sale dispensation.
His outstanding achievement, o
course, has been to formulate an,
give vitality to new doctrine in tn
attitude of society and the law to
ward children. His Juvenile cour
and the principles under which
operates constitute one of the mos
important developments in moder
civilization.
. The doctrine he stablished ha
been adopted in some degree in tn
laws Of most of the states and Q
many foreign countries and in tn
ordinances of scores of cities. It fa
been treated in the messages of presi
dents and in official recommends
lions to foreign parliaments It ha
brought to him inquiries and student
from Europe and Asia.
So long as his purpose seemed to b
bounded by philanthropy when h
appeared to be merely an enthusiast
aiming to alleviate poverty and sui
fering, his, popularity was universal
He was feted by the Denver chambe
of commerce, by women's clubs an
civic societies, and his activities wer
applauded by the leaders in financ
and industry, who considered the
charities an ample substitute fl
measures of social justice
But when he failed to content him
self with treating effects and baro