The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-06

Ratification OF the Child Labor Amend
ordinary chores"
THAT is one Of the chief arguments ad-
Il vanced by out-of-state industrialists who
are striving to block ratification Of the amend
ment by Indiana's Legislature.
The answer is: "Claptrap."
Behind that great argument for farmer
consumption lurk the sinking. g~roveling fig
ures Of overgorged sweatshop operators who
have one stock in trade and play it to the
limit.
Ratification Of the Child Labor Amendment
win bring none of the dire disasters predicted
by foes Of the measure. Ratification merely
signifies that the states indorse Congress
move to outlaw exploitation of children by
industry.
What remains-and therein lies the KEYS
for Congress to enact suitable laws to reg
ulate the "~gainful employment" of children in
industry. Does any one think for a moment
that Congress is going to bar every bit Of en-
deavor on the part of youth to aid their par
ents. or to work after school? Does any one
think that Franklin Roosevelt would sign such
a measured
Ralph A. Scott Of Greenfield addressed the
Irvington Republican Club the other night. He
saw infinite dangers in ratification.
1T means complete RECOMMENDATION Of the
people" ne cried.
The late United States Senator Albert ].
Beveridge was a greater Republican than
Ralph A. Scott and an even greater foe Of what
Mr.. Scott calls RECOMMENDATION" than the
Greenfield rice broker can ever hope to be. Ant
yet. Albert j. Beverage saw no great evil in
abolishing child labor. He laid the foundation
for the present amendment more than a
decade before its introduction when he spoke
for three solid days on the floor of the United
States Senate on the evils Of child labor.
THE history of social legislation in the world
Il shows the United States almost beyond the
pale of civilization. England launched the
first Of its great social legislation series in
1902. Twenty-Five short years after the birth
Of the American republic. England was legis-
lating for the protection of the health and
morals Of women and children employed in
industry.
In 1919. England moved to aid "unappren-
ticed children" and followed it up with i'm
portant legislation in 1926 and 1888. The Con-
solidation Factory Act of 1874 limited the hours
of labor for children. and in 1648, England
barred a working day of longer than 10 hours
for women and young persons.
Take social insurance for an example.
Germany and Austria enacted compulsory
accident insurance in 1887. Hungary took it
up in 1891. Norway in 1894. Finland in 1895,
Great Britain in 1897. Denmark in 1893. Italy
and France also in 1898. and Spain in 1900.
But the United States didn't flicker an
eyelash until 1908. when the measure was
adopted for Federal employees ONLY.
Greed was stin in the saddle Of American
industry. Twenty-Five Of the states passed the
accident insurance measure between 1911 and
1913. but only after tremendous pressure had
been brought to bear.
ATOW. the United States moves TO put itself
~ into the front rank Of civilization ard
every money-grubber in America is at the
Threats Of the Legislatures.
No fabrication has been too petty, too shall
low 10 use. The farmer is told his children
Will be unable to help with the chores. the
churchman that Congress will forbid any child
attending any school conducted by the church.
the taxpayer that it means complete regi-
mentation OF the people"
Holmes worded it correctly when he wrote
very simply:
sin has many tools. but a lie is the handle
which fits them all"
Indiana's legislators MUST place this state
within the circle OF civilization.
The Democratic majority has a duty to
perform. Elected almost to the man on
pledges Of standing with Roosevelt" Indiana's
Democrats now give signs Of wavering. desert
ing the Rooseveltian banner on the child labor
issue.
Every neutrality-suspicious. or SEN
ator-who casts his vote against ratification Of
this amendment will be remembered-re-
membered as a spiEeless tool Of s~weatShops. a
tool who voted to keep Indiana in the lists Of
the barbarians.
NEEDED REVISION