Payette enterprise., 1924-10-09
RESERVE SOME THINGS
FOR THE STATE

constitution to be passed on by tn'
legislatures next winter, is as follows
THE congress shall have the powel
to limit, regulate and prohibit the
labor of persons under IS years OF
age" The amendment also suspends
any conflicting state statutes. The
amendment is designed to prevent
compulsory labor detrimental to
moral and mental development, as
well as physical, and it has has
been surrounded by widespread sent
iment because of the 'child labor
designation and the careless accom-
paniment that more than one mill
lon children in this country are gain
fully employed, carrying subtly the
suggestion that such employment is
continuous, strenuous and detri-
mental"
There are 12,500,000 children in
this country fiom 10 to 10 inclu-
sive, quoting latest census figures. OF
this number 100000 are employed,
and of that number nearly 650,00O
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 sub
ject to legislation on the face of it,
although employment of those under
hn ann1d ha
hibited.
A somewhat similar condition ex
lists as to non-agricultural employ
ment and home employment in cities.
The census director admits the
records include all kinds of intermit-
tent work outside school hours and
not altogether continuous employ
ment
In Idaho there are only 497 child !
rem 10 to IA gainfully employed in l
that intermittent manner, and of s
that number 977 in agricultural pur-
suits.
The figures, therefore, do not a
seem to reveal any cause for genu- g
inc alarm. and this is emphasized by t
the fact that while the 1920 census II
shows 100000 more children in
the nation, 10 to Is, than in 1910, s.
thele were 100000 fewer at work m
dS
81
~ grant congress sweeping au- nC
hority ito limit, regulate and pro- nc
libt the labor of all persons under M
IS years of age" seems to be an ill *
dvised extension of power espe-
tally in view of the congressional
isposition to go the limit Many Nc
ouths, not children, are employed ye
n our farms and elsewhere intermit- NO
emily with profit to themselves, ap
heir parents and the community and M;
Without any Impairment as to health, 20
norals or education. To prohibit ~, ~,
hat, and it could be done unler the off
riposed authority, would hardly be
iewed unconcernedly; and why
rant authority that might easily be cle
etrimentally invoked? The regula- 20,
ion, too has las Objectionable feat tel
res, as many will envision who he
ave observed the surveillance of lts
mbitious government agents in -,
ther connections Imagine the sit do
alton of harde of government in ch
pectors invading every farm and lie
very city home in line with an over II
'eening desire to regulated
Have we not quite enough bu- ba
eaus that are almost vainly endeav- re
ring to justify their existence By W W.
ontinuous harassment of the people w
nder the banner of lengthening to-
recession of freshly devised duties? Ds
IN;
Divested of many details of ar ~
eliminating the history of st,
hid labor restrictive measures in CI
ation and state and masses of so
igures that could be presented in Dy
opposition to adoption of the pro- NJ
osed amendment, one concrete OBJ no
~ - Ihoe iiiB1l De M
J the further encroachment con- sc
smplated upon state authority. This -, ~
matter of vital concern to every 10,
-ate-the welfare of the child and at
the young men and women as of
ell. Each state has its particular lie
'ndftions and problems and no set vei
lie will meet the one nor solve the ed
her Sp
Moreover 1t is exceeding the bounds NO
sound reasoning ia argue that the
'oEle of any state are not suffi tbi
emily intelligent and interested to pei
indie these conditions and prob gle
ms. Also there should be some 10
int beyond which the national gov am
nment should not be permitted to SO
In invading state privileges, pre- La
gatives and rights. hd
To summarize, the proposed e.
lendment is Objectionable because LIE,