Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-16
STRONG OPPOSITION IN UPPER
HOUSE TO MEASURE PASSED
BY REPRESENTATIVES,.
EFFORT TO be MADE TO
SMOTHER IN COMMITTEE
Friends Of Bill to Resist Plan of On.
ponents to Refer Bill to Antag onistie
Judiciary Committee - Opposition
Comes From Powerful Southern and
Eastern Mill Interests.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Feb. 16.-Opponents of
the bill intended to prohibit child labor
in the United States are active in the
senate. If they can find a way to de-
feat the measure, they purpose to do
so and are working to that end.
When the house passed the bill, it
was the expectation of it's advocates
that it would encounter obstacles in the
senate. This expectation was based
on the fact number Of senators have
for years shown hostility to child labor
legislation. The group which has al
ways fought such legislation will fight
it again and, tho the friends of the
bill are hopeful, they realize the diff
culties.
Originally, in previous congresses.
the bill was referred to the commit
tee on education and labor of the SEN
ate. But that committee was not
viewed by the friends Of the bill as
being entirely favorable and it was
sent to the interstate commerce COM
mittee. Now, it develops the oppo-
nents Of the measure are seeking to
have it referred to the judiciary CON-
mittee, after it comes out of the inter-
state commerce committee, The rea-
son Is ostensibly that the judiciary
committee, being composed of eminent
lawyers, ought to pass on it's consti-
tutionality. The real purpose is to de-
lay it and, if possible, bury it in the
judiciary committee. 1t Is true the
bill has number of supporters in the
judiciary committee but it also he S
some strenuous opponents and they
might be able to block it or, at least.
delay it until SO late in the session it
could not be enacted.
Effort Will Stir Row.
Under the circumstances any at
tempt to refer the bill to the judiciary
committee will stir up a row In the
senate. Senators who are for the bill
will resist any effort to refer 1t to the
judiciary committee. A roll call would
probably result which would give q
pretty accurate lineup Of the friends
and foes of the regulation Of child
labor. n"
Antagonism Of powerful eastern and
southern mill and manufacturing in
terests is responsible in part for ths
efforts to bar the passage Of the child
labor bill. Part Of the opposition pro-
ceeds from interests which do not
want the federal government to extend
its regulatory power by the use of the
commerce clause of the constitution.
Impressive Spseehes Made.
In the recent discussion OF the child
labor bill in the house, many impress
i've speeches for 1t were made. Com
gresham McCracken. of Idaho, said
the day would come, despite the criti-
cism Of the national child labor COM
mittee, when the nation would do hon.
age to these noble men and women.
Mr.. McCracken made this interesting
statement:
Or. Felix Adler. one of the pioneers
in the movement for the prohibition Of
child labor, said at the child labor con-
ference last August in San Francisco
that his sense Of duty was awakened
by a single circumstance that came
under his observation, He said It was
q case of a man waking up q littls
boy Of 8 years at 4 O'Clock In the
morning to take him to his work. The
season was winter, it showed hard out
side, and it was only with the great
est difficulty that the father succeed
ed in rousing the little fellow. The
child was so drowsy that he almost
fell asleep as they were walking. FL
nally. the father took him on his back
and carried him to the brickyard where
he was to stay at work all day long.
This picture said the doctor, of q
father carrying the drowsy boy on his
shoulder in the cold winter morning
and then leaving him in brickyard
to work all day has remained with me
as an ineffaceable, ugly blot on the
memory'k