The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-07-07
Children During War
ny N. ADDISGroN BRUCE
Author OF The Riddle OF Person-
aiity," Psychology aud
Parenthood." etc.

Children In war time should not
be idlers. For more than one rea-
son they ought TO do something 10
nelp In the great work OF national
defense.
But they should never be allowed
TO overdo. They should be required
TO give only a short time each day
10 patriotic effort. No task should
be set them beyond their strength
or In any way dangerous 20 their
health.
Above all. the war should not be
made an excuse for evasion or sus-
pension OF the labor laws wisely en-.
acted 20 safeguard the welfare OF
the children OF the nation.
Fvade 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
be AZ the cost OF national strength
In the days 70 come. Future gen
erations Will pay a heavy tax in
weakness and 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 20 civilization. II will
be dealing civilization another and
terrible blow II n have as one
effect the renewed exploitation OF
childhood.
Let MS on this side of the Atlantic
be warned by the experience OF
France and England.
Under the frst stress OF the crisis
created by Germany's wicked inva-
sion OF Belgium. the child labor laws
OF England and France were modi-
fed 20 permit emergency excep.
tons for war industries. Now the
earlier standards are 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 TO raise
the age limit for children in indus
try
All this not alone from humane
considerations or with an eye 10 IN
ture national strength II has been
found that. even In respect 10 imme-
date results, modification OF the la
Dor laws IS undesirable. In the
words OF NJ Albert Thomas. the
French minister OF munitions:
THE experience Of wartime has
only demonstrated the necessity
technical. economic. and even physi-
ological-of the labor laws enacted
before the war In our legislation
enacted in time OF peace, we shall
find the conditions for better and
more intense production during the
war"
These words II will be well 70
heed
ny all means encourage our chill
dren to work for their country.
There f. much they can do. indivld
ually and In organized groups. that
will really contribute TO the winning
OF the war without imposing undue
strain on the children.
Turn them loose into the gardens
and fields 10 weed and cultivate.
/ LIT them help in the harvest and In
I preserving foodstuffs Train them
( 20 be az service in the making OF
Red Cross supplies.
But do not herd them up In fac
tories the greater part OF the day
7 Do not deprive them OF the fresh
air. exercise. and play that are so
necessary 10 their moral develop
ment
Think OF the future as well as OF
the present Think OF the time
, when these children will be men
and women grown.
Overwork them now and IN man
hood and womanhood they viii be
physical and mental weaklings.
what will then be the plight OF the
nation. no matter how complete our
victory in the present war?