The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1924-10-08
THE CASE FOR THE CHILD LABOR AMEND
MENT

"HE formation in Boston of organiza-
ton having for it's purpose the defeat OF
the child labor amendment to the national
Constitution offers one more reason why people
who desire to protect children from the mercen-
airy design of exploiters should be active and
determined in their support of the amendment.
For Massachusetts, in particular, to oppose
it's adoption would seem to be singularly short
sighted policy. Much of the prosperity of that
state depends upon the prosperity of it's textile
industry, as indeed is the case in other New
England states.
The progress of that industry in its local
manifestations is seriously menaced by the COM
petition of underpaid and overworked child
labor in certain other communities.
Until the conditions of labor shall be put
upon uniform basis Throughout the whole ma
ton, states in which an enlightened public senti-
ment protects the child against exploitation will
always be at the mercy of states in which no such
humane sentiment exists.
The moment when representatives of the
textile industries are setting up New England
week, and urging everybody to support New
England industries, singularly ill-timed for
the organization of movement for throwing one
great New England industry open to the unfair
competition of communities in which child labor
is not regulated with intelligence and with hu-
mainly.
Beyond question, the creation of this Mas
sachusetts committee adds more bit of evil
dence to the increasing proof that there will be
vigorous fight made upon the amendment, and
that only by united and earnest endeavor can it
be enacted.
Only state legislature, Arkansas, has
thus far ratified it. Louisiana has indefinitely
postponed its consideration; and in other South
ern states the indications are that it will be de-
feated.
It should be instructive to its New England
opponents to observe that the hostility to the
amendment proceeds so largely from the very
states in which the lack of any suitable state
legislation on the subject makes possible unfair
competition with the New England mills. Fall
River, today suffering from widespread unem-
ployment, has special interest in the adoption
of this amendment, with the consequent assurance
that the labor of children in one section shall
not be used to throw out of employment adult
labor in the cotton mills of Massachusetts,.
Voters should not be deceived by the parrot
cry that the amendment will interfere with the
employment of the farmers boys in the fields, or
the farmers girls in the household.
Domestic employment Of that character is
not involved
Nor should the fact that it gives congress
authority to legislate control over the labor of
young people up to the age of 10 indicate that
that age will in fact be made the limit in con-
gressional legislation.
The amendment is merely an enabling act.
1t does not of itself effect the slightest re-
gulation of child labor
It simply gives to congress the permission,
which has been denied by supreme court deci-
sion, to enact such legislation as in its wisdom
it may see fit for the regulation Of the condi-
tions Of employment Of children.
The congressional legislation which may