Evening journal., 1919-02-15
fear WEAKENING OF
LABOR WELFARE LAW
Enforcement byJusticesIn-
stead OF by Superior
Court Opposed
WANT SCHOOLS TO
GIVE CERTIFICATES

As a result OF a recent conference OF
special committee representing social
welfare organizations OF the State the
following self-explanatory letter has to-
day been sent TO the Labor Commission
OF Delaware. through its chairman.
Charles Warner:
AS this letter states, the amendments
10 the f0-hour and child labor laws,
on the whole Will very decidedly
strengthen the laws affected. The two
amendments objected to by the commit
tee also are considered a backward
rather than a forward step. Similar OBJ
jections have already been presented TO
the Labor Commission by several mem
bers OF its volunteer advisory commit
tee and by the Consumers League. act
cially objects strenuously TO any possi-
bic weakening OF the i0-hour law for
whose enactment II was responsible.
The letter follows:
February IS, 1919.
"Alr Charles Warner,
Chairman Labor Commission OF Del
aware, Wilmington Delaware:
MY dear Mr.. Warner-On Friday,
February Z, a meeting was held Of the
special committees representing Social
Welfare Organizations OF Delaware to
consider the amendments 10 the child
labor and i0-hour laws proposed by the
Delaware Labor Commission. With the
following exceptions these amendments
were heartily approved as strengthening
the laws affected.
THE conviction OF these welfare rep
was again expressed that
there should be embodied In the labor
welfare laws such a standard Of quail
ifications for the inspectors as shall
insure the appointment Of trained men
and women for this important State
work.
with regard TO taking the prosecu-
tions under the iO-hOur law out OF the
superior Court and putting them into
the courts Of the justices Of the peace.
there was strong opposition from every
one present on the ground that il would
very decidedly weaken the law by min
imizlng the seriousness Of a violation in
The eyes OF all parties affected-the en-
plOyers, employees and the general pub /
lie. thus making its operation less ef-
'ectiye. NOlcing this objection the fol- /
NMAu- lt1NiuNlbu WAS ItNrfus
That this special committee rep
resentirg social welfare Organiza-
tlons is strongly Of the opinion that
the prosecutions under the i0-hour
law should remain as at present in
the Superior Court"
"The amendment 10 give the Issuing
of the working certificates TO the Labor
Commission rather than leaving this
responsibility In the,hands OF the school
received careful considera-
ton. The desire OF the Labor Commits
sion TO have easy access to certain rec
ords pertaining to these working GER
tllcates was appreciated. but with the
larger appropriation which is sought
il would seem better 10 have duplicate
records made OF those items OF special
interest TO the commission rather than
10 take away from the schools the re-
which rightly belongs to
hem. In Wilmington at least this re-
ipOnslbility OF the schools was recog- /
llzcd when the superintendent. Mr.. /
scott, claimed the duty which had been /
ssumed by the former Child Labor
and provided for its per-
ormance by delegating a special work
r TO It. Mr.. Scott still considers this
art OF the schools responsibility. and
oes not believe Il should be relieved
Z either the work or the expense in
olved
ut was the prevailing opinion OF the
ommlttee that 10 would be a backward
tep TO lessen the responsibility OF the
chool authorities for the children in
he important transition Of the child
rom the protection Of the school 10
he dangers OF the Industrial life. There
ore. the following resolution was
assed:
THAT Il is also the opinion OF the
committee that for the welfare OF
the children. the issuance OF the
working certificates should remain
as at present in the hands OF the
school authorities"
"The committee urges your careful
OF the points outlined
bove. as they feel that the amendments
aferref 10 would, II enacted, result In
weakening OF our welfare iabor laws
ather than in the STRENGTHENING which
our commission and this committee
9th desire.
Yours very truly
MARGARET II. SHEARMAN."
Chairman special committee repre-
,ntlng social welfare organizations OF
elaware..
Delaware state Federation Of wOmen's
lubs.
Delaware Association OF College
IOmen.
Child Welfare Committee.
Wilmington Associated Charities.
Wilmington Board Of Education.
Wilmington Juvenile Court Associa-
on.
Visiting Nurse Association.
The Delaware State Association OF
raduate Nurses.
co,.,,r,ors, ooouo ~ Defayvare