The daily banner., 1919-05-13
CHILD LABOR
CODE FRAMED
II is .1dorsed Ly Experts Of
Seven Nations.
BETTER SCHOOLING URGED
Sixteen Should be the Minimum work
Ace. Says Conference Held at
Washington.
BETTER SCHOOLING URGE

Washington, MAY 13.-Indorsed by
child welfare experts of seven nations
and by the United States departments
Of labor. Standards which it Is SAID
should be regarded as the absolute
minimum for the health education ana
work of American children. were made
public by the children's bureau of the
department.
The standards were agreed upon at
the international conference on child
welfare standards. which has just COM
pleted his sessions here. 1t Is eX-
planned that they are subject to slight
modification as the result of regional
conferences with reference to local
conditions which will be held through
out the country during the next three
weeks, but that such modification
would not be allowed to lower the
level regarded as imperative for the
future of the country.
The standards, as drawn up, set six
teen as the lowest age at which chill
dren should go to work in any occupa-
tion during the months when school is
i'm session. Nine months schooling
out of the year. either full or part
time, for all children between seven
and eighteen years Of age, is propos-
ed as the minimum educational stand
ard. No child of sixteen would he
allowed to go TO work unless he has
completed the eighth grade. Educa-
ton beyond the eighth grade is to he
provided for employed children he
tween sixteen and eighteen by attends
ance ut day continuation schools. time
so spent TO he taken. without pay.
from their workin:: hours.
It is further required that the work
ing day of minors shall never be long
er than eight hours. and shall be less
than that for childreu between six
teen and eighteen. Night work and
employment in hazardous occupations
would be prohibited absolutely to all
workers under age. Minors. it is stat
ed, shall be paid at rate which. for
full-time employment. would yield at
least the necessary cost Of proper
living"
At the children's bureau it was ex-
planned that no standard had been ap-
proved hy the conference unless it had
been proved practicable under actua.
working conditions. either in this on
other countries. Several western
states, it was said, already have en-
acted laws as drastic rs the proposed
standards. BY recent legiSia ion the
British parliament has made EDUCATION
up to the age of eighteen compulsory
for all English children.
Officials of the department of labor
mentioned Pennsylvania as one of the
states which has hitherto kept in the
van in the protection of its children.
and one which would be able to. reach
the new standards without legislation
which would appear radical. The Hess;
hill, now pending in the state legisla-
ture, which would permit children be-
tween the ages of fourteen and six
teen to work in cigar factories was,
however, pointed out as an indication
that powerful forces in Pennsylvania
are at work to bring the state down
to the level of the more notorious
"child labor commOnwealths."
In addition to Standards of work
and education it is asserted that CEN
trail employment agencies for children
are essential, affording occupationals
advice and supervision during the first
years Of employment. To protect ba-
bies and small children legislation re-
quiring the registration Of all births
within three days is recommended.
Public health centers for supervision
Of young children and public health
nurse for every 1000 Of the population
is also thought essential