The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1936-01-17
CHILD LABOR
Washington, D. C.

"Such bill would break down the
child labor laws not only in the Dis
trict of Columbia but would provide
an opening wedge for destroying
child labor laws throughout the ma
tion," Byron B. Harlan, representa-
tive to congress from the Third Ohio
congressional district, declared late
Monday afternoon in leading a fight
on the floor of the house against a
district bill to amend child labor laws.
The bill, which provided for remov-
al of all restrictions from laws which
now limit the hours juveniles may ap-
pear in theatrical performances, was
defeated by four to one vote.
Congressman Harlan, in dramatic
appeal, stressed the Importance of
child labor laws not only in the dis
trict but throughout the entire ma
ton.
"Those who favor such legislation, /"
he said, are having very little to say
regarding the benefits, if any, child
hood would derive from such legisla-
ton; in fact, the welfare of the
child is being given very little con-
sideration.
Under present conditions, boys
under Id years old and girls under
16 are not permitted to work after
7 p. m. Girls under Is are not permit
ted to work after 10 p. m. Ohio is
one of eight states having a similar
standard
This bill provides that children can
not work more than four hours in
any one day on the same stage. That
means 240 minutes each day. There
is no leading lady, with a matinee and
evening performance, who is actually
on the stage any longer than that
Get the picture correctly; it is that
of child around the theatre 10 hours
waiting to stage a performance -Four
hours a day on the stage :. (. 10 turns
of "a hours each. 1t would break
any child"
Declaring that provisions of the
law would not be enforced, Con-
gressman Harlan predicted: If such
a law were passed anywhere in this
country a policeman with stop
watch would have to be on duty con-
stantly at theatres to see that such a
law would be enforced, and police
men now are overburdened with du-
ties"
The congressman quoted from let
ter he received from William R..
Green, head of the American Fedora
tion of Labor. Green wrote, "The
American Federation of Labor has
not given its approval to this pro-
posed legislation and, in my opinion,
will not extend to it official approval.
Eve are concerned in the principles
of child labor legislation and the es-
tablishment Of standards for protec-
ton of children. | will be glad to
give this matter, to which you called
my attention, my personal censidera-
ton.
"The traditional policy of the
American Federation of Labor toward
child labor legislation will be main
tained.'
Supporting Congressman Harlan
in the fight against the bill was Mrs.
Caroline O'Day, representative from
New York congressional district,
staunch advocate of strict child
labor laws.
Representative Harlan listed among
scores of organizations which opposed
the bill, the following groups:
Women's Council of the Federation
of Churches; National League of
Women Voters; National Child La
Dor committee; American Federation
of Teachers; Women's Trade Union
League of America and the Ohio Fed
GRAFTON of Humane Societies, of which
the congressman is president.