The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-05-24

1 is spreading thru the rural regions
of the United States has led to many
unfortunate results. Large capitals
tic corporations have invaded the
country and are at present controlling
huge estates operated by managers
with hired labor on what may prop
erly be called a factory system
The farmers, under the pressure of
the monopolists and other exploiters,
are sinking to greater and greater
poverty and are forced into the class
of landless agricultural wage slaves;
rural slums are developing, some Of
them under a tenancy system which
does not allow graduation into own
ership and holds thousands of fami-
lies in a state of virtual serfdom; but
the most tragic result of the agricul-
tural revolution is the exploitation of
the country child, who is chained
hopelessly to the drudgery of the
farm. Instead of children working
side by side with the father and moth
er on the farm, we fad them in many
places in gangs of Is, SO and 100,
working under supervision of what is
virtually a slave driver, whose chief
interest is in the amount of money
the children can earn for a financial
corporation. 1t is the condition of
these juvenile rural laborers that this
IL o4f m a.
Extent of Rural Child Labor.
The number of children engaged in
agricultural pursuits has been stead
lily on the increase. Between the
years 1880 and 1900 the number very
nearly doubled, and between 1900 and
1910 it increased by approximately
one-half OF the total number of chill
dren 10 to Is years of age reported
by the 1910 census as bread winners,
1,431,254, or 719 per cent, were en-
gagged in agriculture; of this number
260,195 were reported as farm labor
ers working out" that is, on farms
away from home The 1920 census
shows a great decrease in the num-
Der of rural child workers, but it
should be noticed that the census was
taken in January, when agricultural
operations are practically at a stand
still Besides, it must be remem-
bered that children under 10 years
of age, who by the hundreds work in
various agricultural operations, are
not included in the census occupa-
tional returns. However, the findings
of the children's bureau disclose the
true facts of the extent of child labor
on farms; not only was there a de-
crease in the number of children en-
ployed in agriculture, but, on the op-
posite, there was considerable in
crease: at present 100000 children
are working on the farms to their in
jury.
According to Edward N. Chopper,
the enjoyment of the following rights
is essential to a normal childhood:
1. The right to be born in honor
and so.knd in body and mind; to pro-
lection from disease, and to the pro-
motion of health.
2. The right to care, food, shelter,
and clothing.
3. The right to education and train
ing sufficient to develop fully his ca
pacity for knowledge and achieve
ment.
4. The right to play and recreation,
and to the companionship of his fell
lows.
5. The right to be safeguarded
from neglect, abuse, exploitation and
other injustice.
All these fundamental rights are be-
ing denied to the child of the landless
farmer. The exploitation of the farm
ers by the capitalists and absentee
owners has led to condition where
the farmers must depend upon the
work of their families in order to
make ends meet on most farms. Even
on the home farms operated by the
family, a premium is-put upon the
labor of children. It often happens
r..~-- Az fo~~.. $500