The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-11-13
KENTUCKY CHILD LABOR
ASSOCIATIONS

The following are excerpts from o
summary Of the findings OF the Ma
tional Child Labor Committee BY
stan Of specialists who came 10 the
State at the invitation OF the Ken
lucky Child Labor Association and
other agencies.
There are in the State about
100000 boys and girls under 20
years OF age OF whom 20 percent live
in urban homes and 80 percent In
rural districts. The welfare OF
children, therefore, is chiefly a
matter Of dealing with rural condi-
tions.
with a small appropriation for
pubic health work and with very
few full-time health officers II 10 no
wonder that epidcmics are frequent;
that the death rates for such dis
eases as tuberculosis. typhoid fever.
diphiheria, measles and whooping
cough, although appreciably lowered
in the past ten years, are high; that
trachoma is common among children
in The mountain section and is said
To he increasing in spite OF efforts
to check it; that smallpox is still
prevalent in parts Of the state, and
that pellagra is widespread in the
southeastern counties. Instruction
in hygiene in rural schools is prim-
tive and Intellectual. Medical
school inspection and school aurs-
ing service are provided for in but
few places. Sanitation in many ru-
raj homes is rudimentary or wholly
absent.
state and country administration
Of public schools is subject 10 the
uncertainties OF politics. The on
ces Of State superintendent OF pub
lie instruction and Of county super
intendent Of schools are gained only
through political activity and eam-
paigns for support at the polls.
Local taxes are too low for The
development of good schools, ana
because State funds along are suf-
flcient 10 keep poor schools open for
six months. Rural elementary
schools are held in archaic build
ings, poorly equipped. with poorly
paid teachers. using poor methods.
Owing 10 the lack OF good roads
there has been but little conseiida-
tion. Compulsory attendance Is
spasmOdic in the smaller cities, and
weak in both law and enforcement
in rural districts. Boys and girls
are absent from school principally
because of work. illness and indif-
ference. Opportunity TO attend high
school is Frequently denied 10 roun-
try children. More than $500 chill
dren over ten years OF age are nliter-
ate.
THE Juvenile court law is geser-
ally disregarded in rural districts.
At times children are kept In Jail,
some awaiting trial, others serving
sentences. The manifold duties OF
county judges interfere with their
giving due attention TO juvenile
court matters.
"Apprenticing and binding cut
children under obsolete conditions
are still practised TO some extent
and the Jaws permitting such pro-
cedure should be repealed. The
Child Labor Law is one Of the best
in the country, but il is enforced
in only few places.
Girls Of ~ years Of age and boys
"a years Of age are permitted 10
marry with the consent OF their
parents: and applicants for mar
riage licenses are not obliged 10 ap-
pear before the official who issues
them. The desertion Of children by
their parents is now merely q nis-
demeanor under the law.
"Unregulated amusements largely
dominate the great field OF recrea-
ton: that provided by public su-
thorities and by private civic and
philanthropic societies falls far
short Of meeting the need"