Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-21
CHILD LABOR
Continued from Page One)


shall not work over eight hours in any
one day, whereas the Maine Law per-
mits nine hours, or not more than 81
hours in any one week. Our laws allow
the working of a longer day or days
during a week for the purpose of max
ing a shorter day at the end of the
week, so as to secure a half holiday at
the latter time, but the federal law pro-
hbits working longer than eight hours
at any one time.
The opinion Of the United States at
tcrneys office has nothing to do with
the operation of our Maine laws, but
Of course the federal laws must be
cbeyed by all, and Commissioner
EDDY gives it for the benefit of all in
terested
Remember, that after Aug. l, 1917, by
the opinion of the United States attor
rey for the district of Maine, no goods
or commodities on which labor has been
performed by children under IA years
OF age may be shipped from the State
OF Maine. The letter from the United
States attorneys office follows:
Portland, Nc, July 10, 1917.
Commissioner of Labor,
Augusta Me,
Dear Sir:
The United States attorney, Mr. Mer-
rill. has referred TO me your inquiry
relative to the federal law as to Inter-
state Commerce in the products of
child labor, and I understand from him
that you particularly wish to know
whether such products could be shipped
after Aug. | of this year.
This law is called An Act to Prevent
Interstate Commerce in the Products of
Child Labor and for Other Purposes,
and can he found on Page 2602 OF VOL
ume of the United States Compiled
Statutes, 1916. 1t was approved on
Sept. i, 1916, and Section of the act
states that this act shall take effect
from and after one year from the date
of its passage. Therefore. this act, will
be in force on Sept l. 1917
Section l provides in substance. that
no producer, ma nufacturcr or dealer
shall ship or deliver for shipment. in
Interstate or foreign commerce. any
article or commodity the product Of
any mine or quarry situated in the
United States, in which within 80 days
prior to the time Of the removal of
such product therefron children under
the age of16 years have been employed
or permitted to work
1t would seem from the language Of
the above, therefore, that no product Of
any mine or quarry in which children
under the age of 16 years have been
employed could be shipped after August
of this year
Section l also provides that no ship
ment shall be made of any article or
commodity the product of any MILL
cannery, workshop. factory or manu-
featuring establishment situated in the
United states, in which within 80 DAYS
prior to the removal of such product
thcrefrom children under the age of IA
years have been employed or permitted
% work, or children between the ages
OF IA and l6 years have been employed
or permitted to work more than eight
hours in any day, or more than six
days in any week, or after the hour Of
: O'Clock post meridian, or before the
hour of O'Clock ante meridian.
IL would seem, therefore, from the
above that no product from any Of the
ABOVE named establishments could no
Shlpped after Aug. ! of this year where
chllofen under the age of ii years have
peen employed in such establishments
Inc language, however, would seem
to say further, that if the children
employed were between the ages of IA
years and l6 years and had not been
ehiploveo or permitted to work more
'han eight hours in any day, or more
than six days in any week. or after
.he hour Of o'clock post-meridian or
oe1ore the hour of 6 ante meridian
then the above would not apply.
IN other words. in the latter case
oi mill cannery. workshop, etc, IL the
chi'ureh employed were under Ia wears
OF age then no product from anv Of
'hese establishments could be Skinned
after Aug. l of this year. but if the
children employed were between IA and
10 years and had been emploved only
IN regular hours, as set out in the act
'hen the products Of such establish
ments could be shipped after Aug. / Of
this year.
You will understand that this is
merely an opinion that I am EXPRESSING
upon this law. as it is a new one IN
fact, does not take effect until the IA a,
OF the coming September. We have re-
celVed no official communications re-
sarding same. and, therefore what T
am saying to you is merely my opinion
nased upon the language Of the act
itself.
trusting this may answer your in
auiries. I am.
Respectfully.
Ell NEE pERpv