Evening journal., 1917-03-27
MUST spare Child
WHEN WAR COMES
National Labor Committee
Secretary Points Need of
Protective Laws
CITES ABUSES IN
FOREIGN COUNTRIES

BALTIMORE, Md, March 27.-Dan- |
ger that American children will be
made 10 suffer the rigors Of industrial
life II the United States should be-
come involved in war was pointed out
in an address by Owen r. Loyejoy OF
New York general secretary OF the
national child labor committee. at a
mass meeting held here under the
auspices OF tho National Conference
on Child Labor Speaking on Safe
guarding Childhood in Peace or War"
Mr.. Loyeloy said:
Our natural admiration for Amer
lea and typical sense Of national SUI
periority tempt us to believe that no
rigors Of international conflict could
lead us to neglect our children and
that we shall not deal with our chill
dren as European nations have dealt
with theirs, II the same crisis comes.
Conditions in Europe.
What has happened in Europe? In
one area 1900 children out Of 4l,000
have been displaced from schools be-
cause the buildings have been taken
over for military purposes. Some
100000 children between - and Is
left school to enter industry in 1915
and probably more than that In 1915.
Between 10000 and 100000 children.
IL and 70 years old, are at work.
There is an abnormal demand for boy
labor: abnormally high wages are
paid TO children.
"The committee on health Of NUM-
ton workers states that boy workers
are drawing on their strength" and is
anxious to know what will become
OF the boys after the war And when
We read that munitlOn factories have
increased the hours OF labor for chill
} dren to 81 week, that night and
/ Sunday labor are not unknown. and
/ that the committee recommends that
! boys and girls under is and girls un-
/ der is be not employed more than
J twelve hours a day. we can imagine
the effect ~ such conditions on the
health OF the children These condi-
tions prevail; not in England alone,
but in all the warning countries.
To Protect Children,
THE breaking down OF education,
! health and other conservative stand
ards must not be permitted here Al
ready a bill Is IN the New York State
Legislature exemptng from the hours
OF labor all women and girls over l6
working in munition factories. Re-
ports from Connecticut assert that
since the State law does not fN the
D.. hour Of beginning work, but only the
closing time al night. munition iac-
tories are sending their women and
child workers out at 10 O'Clock Al
! night, only 10 set them to work again
Immediately after midnight. Whethe,
/, these reports are authentic or not
; cannot say. but the tendency Is IN
. questionable
What may we anticipate when M
, real stress comes? Our school roomi
: will be deserted, agencies for the pro
lection and study OF the health. morali
and development Of little children vii
be closed. and the exposure OF chill
dren to the rigors Of Industrial lit'
Will be based solely on the high mo
tive Of patriotic service.
THE children Of the present gener'
alton will suffer an irreparable loss
unless those of us who have dedi'
Gated ourselves 10 their protec'
ton keep our heads clear and oul
motives unmixed. determining thai
whatever else happens, all other treas,
ure. all other forms Of wealth, al
other methods Of defence be sacrincet
before we compel the children o.
America to pass through the FIRE