The daily worker., 1925-02-07
SMALL REFUSES
TO TAKE STAND
ON CHILD LABOR
Wisconsin Senate Rati-
hes Amendment

Len Small, republican governor of
Illinois, has followed the footsteps of
his chief, President Coolidge, in re-
fusing to actively support the pro-
posed federal child labor amendment.
Small even refuses to make a state
ment mildly favoring the abolition of
child labor, passing the buck" to the
Illinois state Legislature. Small has
declared that when he submits the
amendment to the legislature for their
ratification or rejection, he will make
no recommendation.
The fight on the amendment is now
centering at Springfield. The Illinois
chamber Of commerce and the Illinois
manufacturers association are con-
Quoting a vigorous lobby against rati-
fication of the amendment, and have
spacious headquarters in Springfield.
The women's clubs and other organic
ations favoring ratification are also
working hard for favorable action by
the Illinois legislature. Both sides de-
clare that Illinois is the key state be-
cause of its large industries and its
central location. Other state legis-
latures are expected to be influenced
by Illinois action.
Wisconsin Senate RatIfies
The Wisconsin state senate, now
meeting in Madison, by vote of 10
to 10 ratified the amendment. The
amendment gives congress power to
regulate and prohibit" child labor.
1t is understood that many members
of the Wisconsin assembly favor sub
mitting the amendment to a referen-
dunn. Lawyers who have investigated
the legality of such a procedure in
Illinois report that the only legal pro-
cedure is to order an advisory refer
endum, which would defer action on
the amendement until the next session
of the Legislature in 1927. This move
would be favorable to those who are
working against the amendment, as it
postpones action for two years.
Up In Indiana
The child labor amendment was
slated as a special order Of business
in the senate yesterday 1t was be-
lieved the amendment faced the op-
position of conservative farmer SEN
ators, as well as those who have been
influenced by the lobbying of the
manufacturers
Both houses of the Tennessee legis-
lature, havelrejected the child labor
amendment. There ny cotton
mills in 1Hnnessee whe.- children
are employed.
Hot Fight in New York
Declaring that the fight for the pro-
posed child labor amendment to the
federal constitution has just begun,
the New York committee for the ratifi-
cation of the child labor amendment
has issued a Statement to counteract
the effects Of the publicity of op-
ponents of the child labor measure
that it was already defeated.
John O'Hanlon of the New York
state federation of labor says: "The
New York State Federation of Labor
sincerely believes that the federal
child labor amendement will even
tually be ratified by more than SO
states and that states now recorded
against the amendment will reverse
themselves when the truth gains on
and overcomes, as it will, the false
hoods being spread by those who pro-
-
debauchery of American childhood.
We expect New York state to take rank
with Arkansas and California in de.
fense of the right of Americas youth
to life, liberty and the pursuit of
health and education by ratifying the
federal amendment in obedience to
the platform pledges on which every
member of the legislature of 1926 was
nominated and elected"