Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1925-02-20

r., International Laber News Service,
Washington, d. C., FEB. lS.-The
.eakened conscience OF the American
people will wipe out child labor, de-
mite temporary victories gained oy
sae eXplOiters Of Children congress
nau-at-L Large Henry K. Rathbonei
Progressive Republican from illinois,
fsId the National Republican Club Of
New York City at a recent debate on
me Child LABOR Amendment. Flor
srce Kelley, acted social worker. and
Mr. Rathbone saoke in support OF the
amendment.
Denouncing child labor as un-Amer-
can Representative Rathbone de-
cared that the basest form Of oppres-
SON Is oppression OF the child, and
that the lowest depth to which selfish
cred can descend is the exploitation
II those who can not protect them
selves.
Urges Education for All
From the beginning OF our his
fory" said Representative Rathbone,
we have proclaimed equality OF op-
Eortunity as one of our fundamental
priciples. What equality is there in
a land which permits million of its
children to be handicapped at the out
set of the race of life, which condemns
them TO illiteracy, at a time IN the
history of the world when the domain
of knowledge is more vast and the
advantages of education greater than
ever before!
Not until you give education to
all do you give fair play to all.
1t has been said that eentraliza-
ton is what causes the downfall of
nations. | say that the ignorance and
degradation of the people is what
causes the downfall of nations.
Let us give to all the children OF
our country an equal opportunity. Let
US give budding genius a chance 10
develop. Let up close the door of the
factory and open the door of the
school.
Amendment Defended
This proposed amendment is not a
leap in the dark; not haphazard at
tempt to tinker with the Constitution.
1t is an effort to grapple with great
and admitted evil in the light of eX-
perence, upon a scientific basis and
having in mind the principles and
standards, which are approved by the
best minds that have given life study
TO the problem Of child welfare.
the standard tests in the regula-
ton of child labor are, first, the pro-
hibition Of labor of children under Ia,
the regulation of nouns of labor for
children under 16, and the prohibition
or regulation of labor of all children
under rs, from or in eXtra-hazardous
occupations.
Industry is never justified in thriv-
ing or children. The employment OF
children under unfair and improper
conditions Is nothing short OF an
economic waste "a social crime and a
Political menace. The greatest ma
ton in the future of the world will
be the nation that puts its children
first. We can not hope to have a
great nation unless we have an en-
lightened people.
Opponents of the amendment say
that it would give too much mower to
The Congress and that this power
would be abused. Such a charge Is
nothing more nor less than an attack
on representative government. When
the people of this country feel that
they can not trust their chosen rep
reSentatives, then we are ready for
the rule of the tyrant or the mob.
II we are to wait before conferring
u"on our national government the
power to deal with the great evil un-
Ill we can be assured beyond the
possibility of doubt that such power