The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-14
10th Amendment, More Restric.
tions, Improved Schools
Are Main Objects

Editors Note: What Is this rich
est Of nations going TO do about
the problem Of child labor? The
following article, the second Of
two written for The Tribune, tells
about plans of various govern
ment and private agencies for the
correction of present conditions.
BY PAUL HARRISON
NEA Service Writer
Three campaigns are under way for
the abolition of child labor.
One seeks ratification of the Twen-
tieth Amendment, which would give
congress the right to regulate the en-
ployment Of persons less than 18 years
old.
Another is driving toward more leg
islative restrictions in the various
states.
The third. mainly a measure OF
emergency unemployment relief, is
trying to return to the schools as
many as possible of the millions of
children who are either completely
idle or are working for wages
With the name Of President Hoover
heading the list, the individuals and
ORGANIZATIONS backing the FIGHT COM
prise by far the most powerful group
ever concerned with the young toll
erS Of America. What could be a
better time to strike they ask. than
when there are millions of adult
workers in distress for lack OF jobs?"
Also for the first time. the move
ment finds itself without organized
opposition and with a clearly defined
program which can encounter none
of the constitutional stumbling blocks
which twice before have defeated it.
Early Efforts Fail
After more than a decade of Anita
ton by various agencieS-the Nation
a, Child Labor Committee was incor-
porated by Act of Congress in 1907
the first federal legislation was passed
in 1916 and went into effect in 1917. 1t
was intended to operate under the
power Of the government TO control
interstate commerce, and tn. bill pro-
hibited the shipment OF products in
the manufacture of which children
under IA were employed.
The law was in operation nine
months but was declared ul.constitu-
tional by 5-4 decision of the U. S.
Supreme court because of its indirect
application.
Presidents Agree
But CONGRESS- scomo,, convinced
that federal control of the problem
was public necessity. So different
plan soon was devised. The Revenue
Act of 1919 imposed tax upon the
profits of all mines and manufa"+r~-
ing establishments employing chill
dren in violation of certain stand
ards. This measure was in effect
three years, but in 1922 it also was
declared unconstitutional.
Each President of the United
States since the time of Roosevelt,
who established the Children's Blu
reau OF the Department of Labor. has
favored child labor reform Wilson,
Harding and Coolidge all pointedly
suggested that if the working children
of this country are beyond federal
protection now. constitutional limita-
tions should be extended to include
them.
So in 1924 Congress acted on joint
resolution giving congress the power
to limit, regulate and prohibit the la
Dor of persons under ID years Of age
1t passed the House by vote of 297
to SO, and the Senate by ST 10 3d. This
is the Twentieth Amendment. which
"a konntVon I,a u
by 36 states.
Opposition to the amendment has
been offered along several lines in the
past. Some critics, although profess
ing sympathy with the measures in !.
tention, believe it unenforceable.
Others say that it is an infringe
ment on states rights; that labor con-
ditionS vary in different states ard are
not properly subject to single
standard OF control.
Six States Ratify
To date only six states have ratified
the ADMINISTRATIONS. Arkansas,
California, Montana. Wisconsin and
Colorado. In three states it has been
ratified by one house only; in three
states it never has been considered: in
the remainder it has been rejected by
adverse vote. postponement, or is be-
ing held in committee.
OF the nine states which will hold
legislative sessions this year, Massa-
chusettS, New York, New Jersey,
Louisiana and Virginia have pro
grams for improvement of local con-
ditions. Wisconsins special session in
1882 is expected to act on bill re :