The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-09-26
By: GUY Flenncr

n pIOpOScu dlllcHulliCit 10 inc Coil
stitution to be passed on by tn
legislatures next winter, is as fol
lows: The congress shall have tn
power to limit. regulate and prohibi
the labor OF persons under 10 year
OF age" The amendment also sus
ponds any conflicting state statutes
The amendment is designed to pre-
vent compulsory labor detrimental Il
moral and mental development, "a
well as physical, and it has been sur
rounded by widespread sentiment be
cause OF the child labor" designation
and the careless accompaniment that
more than one million children in
this country are gainfully employed,
carrying subtly the suggestion that
such employment is continuous,
strenuous and detrimental"
There are l2,500,00O children in this
country from 10 to Is inclusive, quot
ing latest figures. OF this number
one million are employed, and OF that
number nearly $4,000 are employed
on farms, $50 OF them, however, on
the farms of their parents. That
leaves only around 1880 employed
outside the home farm. These only
would be subject to legislation on the
face of it, although employment of
fhnco .tt~I.- he =
could be prohibited.
A somewhat similar cordition exists
as to agricultural employment
and home employment in cities.
The census director admits the
records include all kinds of inter
mittent work omside school hours
and not altogether continuous en-
ployment
In Idaho there are only 4o7 children
10 to II gainfully employed in that
intermittent manner, and of that
number 377 in agricultural pursuits.
The figures. therefore, do not seem
to reveal any cause for genuine alarm.
and this is emphasized by the fact
that while the 1920 census shows
100000 more children in the nation,
10 to Is, than in 1910, there were
100000 fewer at work.
To grant congress sweeping author
ity ITO limit. regulate and prohibit
the labor OF all persons under lSl
years of age seems to be an ILL
advised extension OF power especially
in view of the congressional DISPOSE
ton to go the limit Many youths,
not children, are employed on our
farms and elsewhere internationally
with profit to themselves, their
parents and the community and with
out any impairment as to health,
morals or education. To prohibit
that, and it could be done under the
proposed authority. would hardly be
viewed unconcernedly; and why grant
authority that might easily be detri-
invoked The regulation,
too. has its Objectionable features, as
many will envision who have observed
the surveillance of ambitious govern
ment agents in other connections.
Imagine the situation of a horde of
government inspectors invading every
farm and every city home in line
with an overweening desire to
regulated
Have we not quite enough bureaus
that are almost vainly endeavoring to
Justify their existence by continuous
of the people under the
banner OF lengthening procession Of
freshly devised duties?
Divested of many details Of argu-
nent, eliminating the history of child
abor restrictive measures in nation
md state and masses of figures that
ould be presented in opposition to
doption OF the proposed amendment,
me concrete adjective to it that might
e sufficient is the further encroach-
nent contemplated upon state author
". This is a matter OF vital con-
ern TO every state-the welfare Of
he child and OF the young men and
iomen as well. Each state has its
conditions and problems
nd no set rule will meet the one
or solve the other.
Moreover. it is exceeding the
ounds of sound reasoning to argue
TAT the people OF any state are not
intelligent and interested
} handle these conditions and prob
ms. Also there should be some
pint beyond which the national 1
'vernment should no, be permitted I
go invading state privileges. pre-
ga,ives and rights $