Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-07-21

uhuef which the federal government
would be able to prevent child labor.
Immediately after the Supreme court
held the present child labor law IN
constitutional. the President, 1t is I'M
derstood, was inclined TO ask the CON
gress to move at once in the direction
of an amendment.
But further consideration of the sub
5ect by the President and the MEM
bers of his cabinet have lid them
to the view that the administration,
instead of asking the congress to
propose an amendment to the COnstitu-
ton, should give It's support TO
final effort to obtain effective laws In
child protection in all the states.
Most of the state legislatures will, It
is PORTED out, meet next January and
the legislatures of nearly all the states
that do not have effective child labor
laws will be among those that meet.
It Is not the purpose of the federal
administration, 1t was said today, to
undertak Ike to dictate to states. but the
influence of the administration viii
be exerted In favor of state action
where 1t has not already been taken.
State Action Preferred.
If after next years round of legisla-
lures, states that have been slow to
proceed against the evil of child labor
have not taken the forward step, the
administration @iH undoubtedly sug-
gest that the congress propose an
amendment to the federal Constitution
The Harding administration is not In
clined 10 have the federal government
undertake to do things for the states
which obviously the states might wen
do for themselves.
A majority of the states, the De-
partment of Commerce points out,
have forward-looking and effective
child labor laws. Other states have
laws on the subj4t that go part of the
way, and then there is a minority that
has not done anytien on the subject.
According to the last census there are
some 26.00O.00O children in the United
States between five and sixteen years
Of age. The use of child labor, accord
ing to the children's bureau in the
Department of Commerce. probably
affects adversely about 100000 chill.
dren.
The decision of President Harding
not to send message to the congress
at this time asking that a constitution
al amendment be proposed does not
mean that some senator or representa-
tive may not champion a resolution
for an amendment. but with the adj
mlnistration committed to the policy
of giving the states that have not
acted chance to do their duty be-
fore looking to the congress, there Is
small probability of this congress vot-
ing to submit an amendment.
Five Millions Paid to Colombia.
The Treasury department has for
warded S5,000000 check to the
Republic of Colombia. This is
the first of the five equal money pay
ments which this government will
make in settlement Of the difference
between the United States of America
and the Republic of Colombia, arising
out Of the events which took place on
the Isthmus of Panama in November,
1903. With the payment Of the entire
So, 100000, the 'takmg of Panama"
in order that the United States might
have right OF way for canal win
become a matter of history.
The treaty between the United
States and Colombia, which was ne
gotiated In April, 1914, but not ratified
by the United States until last Octo
Der, provides that the $25,000,000 in
demnity shall be paid ia five equal In
stalments, the first of these TO be paid
within six months after the exchange
of Publications of the treaty. The con
gress appropriated the money for the
first payment in deficiency bill which
was approved March 10. Colombia will
receive $5,0O0,000 annually for the next
four years. l. Is agreed in the treaty
that all the misunderstanding grow.
ing out of political events In Panama
in November, 1903" are now removed
The State department already notes
better feeling In Central America
and In South America toward the
United States since the treaty between
this government and Colombia TOOK
effect. From 1908 until the date OF
the ratification of the treaty by the
United states senate there was an in
clination throughout the Central and
South American countries to doubt
whether the United States could al
ways be trusted. This feeling of mis-.
trust, ii is asserted, has disappeared
Charles Evans Hughes, secretary Of
state, whose influence undoubtedly had
much to do with the ratification of the
treaty making amends to Colombia, has
additional plans for bringing the Unit
ed States into closer relationship with
the governments of Central and South
America. Provided the congress au
thorizes the necessary expenditure of
qnoney. Secretary Hughes will visit the
Brazilian centennial exposition which
is TO be held September {, this year, 10
March 81, next year, in the city of Rio
de Janeiro. Many foreign govern.
ments will participate in the celebra,
ton and the secretary OF state feels