Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-12
THAT CHILD LABOR AMEND
MENT

How many people among those
approving a federal income tax law
thought they were placing In the
power Of Congress the making OF
confidential returns public. or
dreamed that Congress would do
such a thing?
How many people realize the
power which the proposed child
labor amendment would place In the
hands OF Congress? And what rea-
son is there to suppose that Con-
gress would not misuCe II as It has
the knowledge obtained through the
income tax returns?
That amendment would give the
Congress power ito limit. regulate
and prohibit tho labor OF persons
under eighteen years OF age" Just
what may be done under that power
has not yet been satisfactorily de-
termined by anyone with authority
30 to determine. What we may think
about It may be as far from the
truth as what we thought about the
power OF Congress respecting the In
como tax.
The proponents OF the measure
say: "the amendment deals solely
with labor and not with education.
control of which still remains among
the reserved powers OF the states"
1t might be added that II will not
remain there long " the bureaucrats
Lave their way rs they are deter.
mined to do and gre making heat
poncnts give their case away by
adding: "If Congress should md II
possible or desirable. In passing n
child labor law. to require an
educational qualification for work
permit. II clearly could not do so.
constitutlonallv IN n way that would
Involve any sort CT religious dis
elimination" Even so. there are
many, we believe. who would not
endow Congress with that power.
but would in some practical way
Regulate child labor.
Tho number of those who would
put an end to exploiting child labor.
cnco assured OF n practical way in
which II may be done. we believe -
lie in the overwhelming majority In
this country. II not then II Is not
the country VIC think it to be. Most
OF us thought the proposed amend
nent was what we were looking
after. But Is Il? II not then the
more quickly and emphatically It be
killed the better. Then clear the
decks for something which is practi-
cal.
bureaucratic power is becoming
national menace. People are waking
up 10 that fact. TO many, ut first.
ahe only objection to the proposed
amendment was that Il would tend
TO augment that power. but even so
they were willing TO make an ex-
ccption In the case of the children.
Under the existing system the
liberal state penalties itself when II
passes legislation prohibiting child
labor In its Industries which are In
competition with those OF other
states which do permit such ex-
poitation. II Is disgrace to some
of the states that their legislatures
roanive with this sort OF child
slavery. 1t would be a disgrace TO
every state and family therein IL a
communicate Congress under this
proposed amendment found way to
prevent every person under eighteen
years OF age from learning a trate
or forbade them Sainful employ
1nent. This will not happen? Who
knows?
As a general proposition we believe
that work has proved beneficial
rather than otherwise to the youth
from. say IA to Is years OF age. I.
Is one Of the greatest educators und "
suitable conditions which may be
employed. Indeed. as a general
proposition. II would be difficult to
demonstrate that work on the whole
had not proved beneficial TO children
Of lesser years, this notwithstanding
the iniquities which have been in
hicted.
W. best be sure that we do not
place within the power OF cranks
or faddists or uplifters at so much
profit per head. or bureaucrats look
ing for q government Job the power
Of interfering with the blessings of
work. Of usurping rights Of the COM
munity and Of the family by any
baked or radical changes In tbs
fundamental law, ostensibly for the
cake OF improving the condition &c
= comparatively few thousand child
rem 90 unfortunate as to live in
states which have not outyrown bar
haric notions. We better wait until
We can find someone capable OF
drafting an amendment about which
there Is not the uncertainty which
now exists. and we think logically
exists. respecting the one now under