Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1916-06-22
Cotton Interests Block
Child Labor Legislation

| WASHINGTON June A deter
mined effort is being made oy the Sen
! ate legislative agents of the Southern
cotton mill capitalists to prevent child
labor legislation at this session of
| Congress
The House of Representatives passed
the child labor bill months ago. Re-
ferred tsStFRsenate Committee on In
terstate Commerce that committee
held extended hearings during which
the Southern Cotton mill capitalists
fought any and all national Legislation
restricting their power to coin divi-
dends out of the bodies Of children I'm
der sixteen years.
The Senate committee made favor
able report on the bill on April 49,, in
cooperating certain amendments in the
House measure. For six weeks the
child labor bill has been cold storaged
in the Senate calendar,
The bill can be taken up any day
by unanimous consent Under the
unanimous consent procedure, however
objection on the part of the Senate pre-
vents consideration.
Blocked by objection under the
unanimous consent procedure, the bill
may, be taken up by a yea and nay
vote.
Just before the Senate recessed on
June 3, to enable Republican Senator'S
to attend the Chicago talkfest, the
child labor bill was reached.
Senator Overman of North Carolina,
recognized as being one of the cotton
mill capitalists strong-arm men OBJ
jected to it's consideration. In his OBJ
lection Overman revealed the par
limentary procedure that has been i'm
posed upon the cotton mill Senators
by the Southern child labor eXploiters.
Announcing that he did not propose
to filibuster against the bill Overman
said
Il hope the first Monday of next De-
cember may be set for its considera
ton"
The first Monday of next December,
it will be recalled, marks the begin
ming of the second session of Sixty
fourth Congress, adjournment being
obligatory on the fourth day of the
following March. The short session"
is damned With necessary legislation
matters, consisting largely of appro-
priation bills. Postponing considera
tion OF social measures 10 the short
St ssioA has ever been the favorite
Stunt Tor killing The nle;tsure;.
a. pitette hearing q ,tmal.s beli
gent Suggestion lsled UNANIMOUS
--& t.ldl the child labor bill be
u fti Up Tor Consideration OF the first
-. . -. ~. July ...
.-s...-... o1eorsia) objected Smith
II t.-.>. Il ion months consideration of
l.ia resolution TO print tie report of
the Commission on Industrial Rela
lions. Georgia cotton mill capitalists
have developed the business of chlld
labor exploitation to higher degree
than most OF the Southern States. |
Smith is jealous of their success and
doesn't wish their privileges under the |
State laws encroached upon by nasty |
national laws.
Smith, Joining Overman, delivered an |
ultimatum which. persisted in, will |
prevent consideration Of the child la
Dor law at this session of Congress |
He said:
4 do not propose to give unanimous
to take up the child labor bill |
ahead of its order on the calendar"
The order of the child labor bill is
calendar No. t342" If Calendar, No
S42 waits for consideration until the
bills preceding it are disposed Of the
first session of the Sixty third CON
gress viii see no child labor iegisla-
tion.
The Southern cotton mill capitalists
are jubflant over the fact that over /
man and Hol1e Smith have come