The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1923-07-06

reasons for the form of the constitutional amend
ment adopted:
"lnasmuch the congress has twice considered
IL necessary and wise to enact a law for the pro-
lection of the child life of our nation it would
seem to be the mature and deliberate Judgment of
the people that such n law would be beneficial.
we must assume that the congress considered that
IL mad the power to enact such laws thought it
Tor tile welfare of the nation exercise that DOW.
er. But inasmuch as the Supreme court of the
United States. in Hammer V. Dagenhart and Bailey
v. Drexel Furniture co. decided that the congress
under the existing Constitution did not have that
power II is proposed to confer or delegate that
power by way of proposed amendment
First. 1t cannot be questioned but that II ia n
paramount duty of government to guard and pro.
tect the welfare of its children to the end that
they may have the utmost opportunity possible to
attain the maximum development of their moral
intellectual, and physical beings This Ia mani.
testify the due Of all children since thew are
brought Into the world without their yoitIon on
tirely helpless and dependent. But this ia M,
alone simple justice to childhood. 1t Is also Of
the greatest importance to every state that its
citizens should attain the highest develonnen,
ABOVE indicated. And 1t may be observed tbot
while under our dual system of government tho
power and duty to make adequate provision hv
law for the accomplishment of those most Desirable
enus are now vested in the several states never
theless 1t Is as important to the natjono, oo,orn
ment US IL Is TO the government of eyery state
that Its ctizenry be afforded every opporuntv for
esi.i"ate development, and that such devotion
ment should neither be stunted nor DESTROYED
Herein there lies the justification for the pov.
eminent Of the United States In asking of Tho
states that upon 1t be conferred power concurrent
with their own to legislate upon this matter ~
vital to both If the states shall have passed ap-
proprnte laws, 1t Is safe to say that any Iag;sIa
ton OF congress will march side by side with such
laws. If n state has been unmindfu of its dut,,
then such congressional legislation will wor, M
injury but rather positive benefit to the state
itself as well as to the national government.
Hence your committee reports in favor of the
submission to the legislatures of the several states
of some form of constitutional amendment confer.
ring power upon the congress legislate upon
the subject.
Second What form shall that proposed amend.
ment bear? Unquestionnbly 1t should take the
form or Il grant of power. and unquestionably the
limitations Of that power should be precisely de-
fined. Beyond peradventure 1t should contemplate
the future as well as tn present Indisputably
1t should be power concurrent with that of the
states. since Its purpose Is not to deprive the
states of any of their powers but only to confer
like powers the national government
still further. Il Will not be questioned but that
that power should be given to control, regulate or
even to prohibit the of such labor in all cases
where the character of the labor is dangerous in
Itself may become dangerous through the in
experience or heedlessness of childhood where In
itself or in Its surroundings 1t is detrimental to
the physical or moral welfare of childhood, or
where 1t is In character too onerous for the grow.
ing bodies of youth. Equally manifest Is 1t that
In all occupations where child labor Is permitted
legislative authority should have determinative
voice to the terms, times. conditions, and
vironment of its use-such day and night work.
reasonable hours, dangerous machinery, hygienic
conditions and the like.
"These are the fundamental considerations
which have controlled the action of this commit
tee 1t has given painstaking consideration to the
varying phraseology of the five concurrent reso-
Fnrth hnrnf
in part ! of hearings; 1t has made extended re-
search into the legal and popular meanings of
words whose has been recommended, and 1t
has decided to submit the following as the form
lof the proposed constitutional amendment, which
1t approves: