The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-01-22
STRONG LOBBY
OPENS FIGHT
FOR MEASURE
Scores of Communications to
Legislators on Measure to
Be Reinforced
TO HOLD HEARING
First Step Toward Bringing
The Fight to Head Comes
With Hearing
TO HOLD HEARING

Lines are being frightened for an
impending fight in the state legis-
lature which is drawing attention
of one of the strongest lobbies in
several years-the fight over the
ratification OF the federal child
amendment.
Public hearing is scheduled to
open tonight in the Senate commit
tee on public health on the measure,
but the "letter lobby" has been
working hard for sometime, and it is
expected to be reinforced by person
al work within the next week.
The child labor resolution was
presented to the Senate on the open
ing day by Secretary Of State Byrne,
but action has not. been taken in
committee, and one extension of
time has been granted.
The legislature is presented with
an amendment to the Federal Con-
stitution giving Congress the right
to prohibit those under the age Of 18
years from laboring.
Many women rganiz ions
throughout the state are strongly in
favor of the ratification of the
amendment, while it is being strong
ly opposed. The State Senate of
South Dakota yesterday refused to
vote for ratification.
Pressure Brought
If the amendment had been voted
on in the North Dakota legislature
ten days ago it would unquestionably
have failed of ratification. Ratifi-
cation now is held doubtful in spite
of pressure being brought to bear.
The Nonpartisan League caucus has
discussed the measure and has re-
lvealed marked division of senti-
ment on the measure, although it is
in the Nonpartisan League platform.
The ''letter lobby" for the bill,
which has grown in volume in the
last few days-scores of communiea-
tions being addressed to Senators
and Representatives individually and
to the Legislature-as whole, is
chiefly for the measure. 1t is urged
as a humanitarian measure, to pre-
went abuse and as a step of progress.
Opposing it is the view that it
would be unwise to give Congress
the power to limit child labor, on
the ground that federal statistics
with regard to child labor show this
is unnecessary, that it is a local
condition to be dealt with by states,
that it would create another federal
bureau and is a step toward pater-
nalism and governmental control Of
the rearing Of children, a step to-
ward socialism.
1t is expected that the Senate COM
mittee on public health, although it
holds public meeting tonight, will
not report the measure out immedi-
ately.
Solons Criticized
The state legislature is raped for
inactivity in the current publication
of the North Dakota Nonpartisan,
official organ of the League, pub
lished in Bismarck.
The newspaper says: "The legis-
lature has been in session now two
weeks, and not single law of value
has been passed. We are having so
much harmony, among those who
still have and expect to get jobs.
that a lot Of money could be saved
by adjourning and going home. Still.
there is nothing to indicate that this
legislature plans to save money"
The organ urges that investigation
of the state insane hospital at
jamestown and the highway COM
mission be made, and suggests it
would be good idea to look into
the Depositors Guaranty Fund Com
mission and some other departments.