Evening star., 1937-01-09
CHILD LABOR PLEA
REACTIONS VARIED
Response to Roosevelt Note
to 19 States Covers
Wide Range.
By the Associated Press.

President Roosevelt's appeal to the
Governors of 10 States to make the
child-labor amendment to the Constl-
tuition q major item in their legiSla-
tive programs brought varying reac-
tions today, ranging from complete
agreement to eternal" opposition.
With ratification by II more States
necessary before the amendment be-
comes part of the Constitution, the
President addressed his appeal yester-
day to the 10 non-ratifying States
holding regular sessions this year.
In addition, special session OF
Kentucky's Legislature probably will
pass on the proposal. Gov. A. B.
Chandler said he was amending his
call for the session to ask ratification.
The amendment says "the Congress
shall have power to limit, regulate and
prohibit the labor OF persons under
1s years Of age"
List of State Sessions.
The l9 States holding regular ses-
sions are New Mexico, Nevada, South
Carolina, North Carolina, New York,
Texas, Nebraska, Maryland, Connecti-
cut, Florida, Massachusetts,, Rhode Is
land, South Dakota, Vermont, Tennes-
see. Delaware, Georgia, Kansas and
Missouri.
Gov. Clyde Tingley of New Mexico
said he had no comment" on Presi-
dent Roosevelt's letter. Previously, he
put the question Of ratification "en-
nv, "a fhe TnOiclot tIIro
Gov. Richard Kirman of Nevada
said he expects to tell the Legislature,
January 10: II renew my previous
recommendation that the Legislature
record its approval of the child labor
amendment to the Federal Constitu-
ton"
The Legislatures Of both North and
South Carolina previously rejected the
proposal, but Gov. Clyde r. Hoey OF
North Carolina recommended its adop-
ton at the present session, The South
Carolina General Assembly will meet
January IL.
Gov. Herbert H. Lehman included
early ratification among his recon-
Ynendations to the New York Legis!a-
ture.
Gov. James V. Alfred will urge
ratification in his message to the Texas
Legislature, probably next Wednesday
The Texas House often has approved
the amendment; the Senate action is
doubtful
Gov. r. L. Cochran of Nebraska said
he does not plan action on the letter
from the President. THE ratification
of a Federal Constitutional amendment
is entirely a function of the Legisla-
ture," he said. The amendment was
defeated In Nebraska's 1885 Assembly
Gov. Harry w. Nice of Maryland
said he would send President Roose-
yelt's letter to the Legislature without
comment when it reconvenes mex:
Tuesday.
Gov. Wilbur L. Cross of Connecticut
likewise had no comment. Unless the
Governor asked speedy action in q
special message, which observers con-
sidered improbable, 1t appeared un-
hkely the amendment would be con-
sidered by the Assembly before April
or May. The Connecticut Legislature
refused to ratify two years ago, but
enacted a State child labor law.
Fqorida's new Governor, Fred P,
Cone, will recommend ratification by
the State Assembly In April.
: The new Governor Of Massachu-
setts, Charles F. Hurley, said he would
have to read the Presidents message
before commenting, In 1895, the last
time the Legislature voted on the
amendment, the House defeated it by
D vote of 218 to 5.
Gov. Aiken Nom Commital.
Cows. Robert E. Quinn of Rhode
Island and Leslie Jensen of South Da-
kota withheld comment. The Rhode
Island Assembly considered ratifica-
ton but did not act two years ago.
Gov. George d. Aiken Of Vermont
was nocommittal and the State As
sembly has made no move on the sub
sect this year. Last year the amend
inent obtained only seven supporters
In the House.
: Tennessee's Governor, Gordon
Browning, said fatty he was "eter-
nally" against the amendment.
{ No action is pending on the amend
ment in the Delaware Legislature.
: Gov,-elect Walter A. Huxman Of
Kansas declined to say whether he
would recommend ratification.
The Missouri Legislature refused to
fatify at its last two meetings. but
another attempt is expected this ses-
sion.