The Detroit times., 1917-07-07
Children During War
nv ". ADDIN6roN BRUCE
Author ~ The Riddle OF Person
Atty" Psychology and
Parenthood." etc.

Children in war time should not
be idlers For more than one rea-
son they ought 20 do something TO
help I'M Tho great work OF national
defense
fnf 'hev rhoula never be allowed
10 overdo They should DO required
20 GlN, only short time each day
10 patriotic effort No task should
be SET them beyond their strength
or in any way dangerous 10 their
health
Above ALL the war should not be
made an excuse for evasion or sus.
pension OF the labor laws wisely en-
acted 10 safeguard the welfare OF
the children OF the nation
Evsde or suspend the child labor
laws. and what will be the result
There may be-tho this is doubt.
ful-an appreciate temporary gain
in national effectiveness. but II will
NJ az the cost OF national strength
IN the days 20 come Future gen
erations VIII pay a heavy tax-~in
weakness ind ill-health for any dis.
regard OF the rights OF the growing
generation
II has taken the civilized world a
long time 20 appreciate this truth.
The war has already dealt many
heavy blows 70 civilization. II viii
be dealing civilization another and
terrible blow II 4 have as one
eject the renewed exploitation OF
childhood
Let us on this side OF the Atlantic
he warned by the experience 81
France and England
Under the hrst stress OF the crisis
created by Germany's wicked inva-
sion OF Belgium. the child labor laws
OF England and France were modi.
fed 10 permit emergency excep-
tions for war industries Now the
earlier standards arc being restored
in both countries
In Italy. too steps are being
taken IN the same direction. In
Russia. even before the revolution.
a movement was started 20 raise
the age limit FOR children in indus
try.
All this not alone from humane
considerations or with an eye 70 fu-
tire national strength II has been
found that. even I'm respect 20 imme
diate results. modification ~ the Ia
Dor laws is undesirable In the
words OF VI Albert Thomas. the
French minister of munitions
The experience OF wartime has
only demonstrated the necessity
technical. economic. and even phvsi
ologieal-of the labor laws enacted
before the war In our legislation
enacted In time OF peace. wc shall
End the conditions FOR a better and
more intense production during the
war
These words it will be we'll 70
heed
rs all means encourage our chill
dren 20 work for their country
There is much they can do. individ
ually and in organized groups. that
will really contribute 10 the winning
of tho war without imposing undue
strain on The children
Turn them loose into the gardens
and fields 20 weed and cultivate
Let them help tn The harvest and Tn
preserving f0odstlfs Train then
10 be ~ service IN the making Of
Red Cross supplies
But do not herd them NJ in fac
tories the greater part OF the DAY
Do not Deprive them OF the fresh
air. exercise. and play that are Sc
necessary 10 their moral develop
ment
Think az the future as well az n
the present Think OF the time
when these children viii be meT
and women grown.
Overwork them now and in man
hood and womanhood they will b
physical and mental weaklinRs
What Will then be the plight 81 th'
nation. no matter how complete Out
victory in the present war?