The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-08-14
KEEP THE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL

NEEF TIE GT1iEDrEN tlN 0N''NO-
1.-THE nation that puts its boys and
girls to work in field and factory when
they ought to be in school and enjoy
ing normal amount of play is vast
er and is like man who riotously
spends both capital and interest OF his
fortune" says David Franklin Hous-
ton, chairman of the National Child
Labor committee. Such drain on the
physical strength of childhood, such
deprivation of it's rights to intellec-
tual equipment, will inevitably exact
it's price in a lowered average of
health, prosperity and literacy gem
Grafton hence"
Mr.. Houston recently succeeded Or.
Felix Adler in the craftsmanship of the
committee. DR.. Adler resigned because
of the press of personal business after
seventeen years as head of the COM
mittee, guiding it through the period
in which it was prime factor in caus-
ing the enactment of federal and state
laws regulating child labor industry.
Mr.. Houston was secretary of agricul-
ture and secretary of the treasury
successfully, in the Wilson cabinet,
and is an educator mad economist of
note, having held among other posts
that of president of the University of
Texas.
Led by Mr.. Houston, the National
Child Labor committee has launched
campaign to eliminate the evils of
child labor in agriculture. 1t will be
directed largely against conditions in
the beet fields of Colorado and Michi
gan, the tobacco plantations of Ken
lucky and Connecticut, the cotton rails
ing districts of Oklahoma, Texas and
Imperial Valley, California, the berry
fields of Michigan and California, the
onion fields of Ohio, the cranberry
bogs of southern New Jersey and the
truck farms of Delaware.
Enforcement of existing compulsory
school attendance laws in these Sec
tons, which statistics show to be most
lax, is one of the objects aimed at in
the campaign of education the commit
until public opinion is fully aroused
to the menace child labor in agricul-
ture offers TO the welfare of society
no Roadway can be made in compelling
local school officials in many districts
to perform their duty when to do so
would antagonize powerful interests
who profit by child labor.
Thousands of children between the
ages of six and fifteen are being
worked at tasks beyond their physical
endurance and are being kept from
school during the seasons when crops
are being cultivated and harvested"
Mr.. Houston continues. I'VE do not
say the farm child should do no work.
The light chores all children raised
on the soil have the obligation to per-
form are as beneficial to them as they
are helpful to sthe families. They do
not keep the child from school nor de-
prive him of his right to normal play.
1t Is the child who is exploited denied
schooling and turned into drudge,
whether by parents on their own farm
or on land they have contracted to cul
tivate by the acre in which we are in
terested.
THE problem is mainly one of edu-
cation. People everywhere must be ed
ueated to a better state of mind toward |
the child so that rational measures and
practices of a great variety may be !
adopted which will cause the child 10
become, not only more efficient
worker, but more useful member of
society"
The National Child Labor commit |
tee is in need of funds to carry out its |
program. " Everitt Macy is treasurer. |
and contributions may be sent to him
at los East Twenty-second street. |
New York City. owen r. Loveiovl
Is general secretary Of the committee
and the board of trustees includes men
and women of national prominence. /
Among them are: Samuel AIcCune !
Jane Adams, AdoIph Levi /
sohn, Lillian d. VALID Paul NJ. War /
burg, John Dewey, Homer Folks DR..
stephen S. Wise and Francis C. CAT
fey