Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1937-06-24
IN MARYLAND
e. By =.
THE OBSERVER
Maryland Is SliDping

v
OF legislation throughout the country
IN the interest of the workers for the
past year, with special emphasis on
the Child Labor Amendment.
The League was organized in 1899
TO further better working conditions
Tor men women and children in the
manufacturing industries. One of its
leading spirits was Florence Kelley,
whose passionate sympathy for the
under privileged led her to devote
all of her mature life to many kinds
OF. endeavor to improve their living
and working conditions.
The League began by using the
method of persuasion on employers,
but in 1907, it changed to campaign
for legislation for minimum wages,
maximum hours and elimination of
child labor.
The last bulletin of the League,
dated May of this year, recites eleven
achievements, the year thus recorded
embracing the times of the sessions
of the state Legislatures.
| Kansas, Kentucky, Nevada and
New Mexico ratified the Child Labor
Amendment bringing the total of
those which have ratified to twenty
eight.
| six states improved their child
labor laws, notably North Carolina.
| 3-Vermont and Missouri enacted
laws in regard to interstate commerce
in child labor-made goods unless made
in conformity with their standards.
Mime states improved their hours
laws, New York, North Carolina and
Ohio being especially mentioned.
5-After the Supreme Courts fav-
orable decision in the Washington
case, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Min
nesota, Arkansas, Nevada, New York
and the District Of Columbia either
enacted or revived minimum wage
laws.
6-Indiana extended its night work
law.
| Massachusetts and New York
extended their one day of rest in
seven laws.
8-Connecticutt passed law re-
quiring all factories to register with
the Labor Department.
| 9-Pennsylvania and Connecticut
passed laws in regard to home work.
1O-Pennsylvania prescribed guards
on dangerous machinery.
| 11-Arkansas, Georgia and Indiana
provided themselves with new labor
departments.
| The state of Maryland is not once
mentioned, though there are extreme
northern, southern, eastern and West
ern states in the list, the South, which
has been least progressive hitherto,
being rather more prominent than
any other section.
It is quite obvious that our state,
Ito use a current expression-is
slipping, and, to those who are sufic-
iently socially minded to be concern
ed over these matters, the condition
causes deep regret.
What has become of the pioneering
spirit which caused Maryland to be
first in certain notable,-and noble
activities?
The record of the last legislature is
not one to be proud of, and one of its
chief errors was the failure to ratify
the Child Labor Amendment.
1t seems clear that the opposition
to ratification proceeded from COM
bination of selfishness of special in
terests and simple ignorance of con-
ditions, and of what the amendment is
intended to do.
Quoting from pamphlet published
by the National Consumers League
(156 Fifth Avenue, New York;.
at does not interfere with state
rights.
It is an enabling act, only, not a
regulation in itself.
It will not keep children from help
ing parents on the farm or in the1
home.
It will not confer undue authority
on the federal government.
It will not create difficult enforce
ment problems.
It will make possible the protection
of older children in dangerous work"
Each one of these statements is
amplifed by reasons, which space will
not admit of including here.
Maryland still has chance to be
one of the remaining eight states
needed for securing the amendment.
Surely an enlightened public opinion,
loyal wish that the state may be
among those giving opportunity for
the "more abundant life" will cause
the next legislature to correct the
sad mistake of the last by ratifying
the Children's Amendment.