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58th C ongress,) H OUSE O F R EPRESEN TATIVES. (D oc. No. 343,
Hd Session, j
l
Part 3.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR.
BULLETIN
OF THE
BUREAU OF LABOR.
NO.
52-MAY,
1904.
ISSUED EVERY OTHER MONTH.
W A S H IN G T O N :
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1904,
EDITOR,
CARROLL D. W R IG H T,
COMMISSIONER.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS,
G. W . W . H AN GER,
CHAS. H . Y E R R IL L , G. A. W EBER.
II
CONTENTS.
Page.
Child labor in the U nited States, by Hannah R. Sewall, Ph. D ......................
Agreem ents between em ployers and em ployees...................................................
Digest o f recent reports of State bureaus o f labor statistics:
W iscon sin .............................................................................................................
Digest o f recent foreign statistical pu blication s...................................................
Decisions of courts affecting la b o r..........................................................................
Laws of various States relating to labor enacted since January 1,1896..........
in
485-637
638-650
651-654
655-677
678-693
694-702
B U L L E T IN
OP THE
B I J E E A U OF L A B O R .
No. 52.
W ASH IN G TO N .
M
ay,
1904.
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES. ( a)
B Y H A N N A H K . 8E W A L L , P H . I>.
INTRODUCTION.
The object o f the present study is to furnish information regarding
the subject o f child labor. It relates to the employment at labor of
children under 16 years o f age, their earnings, the hours o f labor
required o f them, and other conditions affecting their well-being owing
to the kind o f work they do and the sanitary character o f the places
where they are employed. It also relates to the amount o f schooling
they have had, and to their health and home conditions. Data for this
purpose have been sought mainly from two sources—the employers
and the parents o f the children. Representative establishments in
which children were employed have been visited and replies obtained
to questions concerning all under 16 years o f age. Interviews have
also been had with many children individually, and further information
sought concerning them at their homes.
The territory covered has been limited to a comparatively small
number o f States because o f the practical difficulties in the way o f can
vassing a large number within a reasonable time. Those States were
selected which are shown by the reports o f the Twelfth Census on
manufactures to be employing the largest numbers o f children in the
«In the preparation of this article the author has had the assistance of Mrs. Edith
Parsons, o f Des M oines, Iow a, w ho collected the material used from the States of
Illinois, M issouri, Pennsylvania, and W isconsin. The author desires also to express
thanks to the proprietors and the managers o f the various establishm ents w hich were
visited for courtesies shown and assistance given, and to m any others w ho have
shown an interest in the w ork and have helped in various ways, especially to Miss
H elen M arot and members o f the child labor com m ittee in New Y ork City. The
w ork o f tabulation and the preparation o f the summary and com pilation of laws in
connection w ith this investigation was done by the Bureau of Labor.
485
486
BULLETIN OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
industries reported. Twelve States were originally chosen, ranking
by numbers o f children employed as follows:
NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURES IN
TWELVE STATES AT THE TWELFTH CENSUS.
[From the Tw elfth Census of the United States.]
Children under 16
years of age.
Number
ployed
Rank. em
in manu
factures.
State.
Pennsylvania.............................
New Y ork...................................
M assachusetts...........................
Illin ois........................................
North Carolina...........................
South Carolina...........................
1
2
3
4
6
6
33,136
13,189
12,556
10,419
10,377
8,560
Children under 16
years of age.
Number
ployed
Rank. em
in manu
factures.
State.
New Jersey..............................
G eorgia.....................................
M aryland..................................
W iscon sin................................
Rhode Islan d ...........................
M issouri...................................
7
8
9
10
11
12
8,042
6,873
5,884
5,679
6,036
4,510
The State o f Alabama was afterwards added because o f the prom i
nent part which it has occupied in recent discussions o f the subject o f
child labor. Very little, however, was done in this State. On an aver
age, 3,474 children were employed in the manufactures o f this State
during the census year, which caused it to rank 17 according to number
o f children employed.
The information obtained in regard to child labor in these States is
presented in the follow ing pages in two parts, the first dealing with
conditions o f a general nature found to exist in the establishments
visited, and the second with certain facts relating to the children who
were individually interviewed and whose homes were visited. Three
general tables show the conditions existing in 215 establishments
employing 15,857 children. The facts presented in the second part
relate to 1,381 children, all o f whom were employed at some kind o f
gainful occupation, and nearly all in the 215 establishments reported
in the tables. A child is considered fo r the purposes o f this study to
be a person under 16 years o f age, and whenever the word is used
without qualification it must be understood in this sense.
G E N E R A L CONDITIONS A F F E C T IN G C H ILD REN E M P L O Y E D
A T LA B O R .
F or the 215 establishments included in the general tables accom
panying this article, the number o f establishments and o f children o f
each sex employed, by States, were as follows:
ESTABLISHMENTS CANVASSED AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN EMPLOYED, BY STATES.
State.
M assachusetts.........
Rhode Islan d..........
New Y ork.................
New Jersey..............
Pennsylvania..........
M aryland.................
N
rvrth I'larnlinn
llulUi
vOlvliUct • •••••
Estab
lish
ments.
18
10
36
24
45
11
14
Children under 16
years o f age.
State.
Male. Female Total.
710
190
538
783
2,243
287
614
503 1,213
395
205
637 1,175
434 1,217
2,143 4,386
551
838
461 1,075
Estab
lishments.
Children under 16
years o f age.
Male. Female Total.
South C arolina___
Georgia...................
A labam a...............
W isconsin..............
Illin o is...................
M issouri.................
9
15
4
6
14
9
448
634
102
366
964
624
T ota l............
215
8,503
382
596
121
288
644.
389
7,354
830
1,230
223
654
1,608
1,013
15,857
CHILD LABOB IK THE UNITED STATES.
487
The inquiries which were made at these establishments had refer
ence to the ages o f the children, their occupations and earnings, and
special conditions affecting their well-being while at work. From a
few establishments visited valuable information was obtained, which,
however, could not be included in the tables because o f uncertainty
in regard to part o f the information and failure to get complete replies
to some o f the inquiries. Much o f this information is presented, how
ever, in the text pages.
AGES.
The laws relating to child labor which have been enacted by nearly
all the States show at what ages children can legally be employed at
labor in these States. The report of the Twelfth Census upon manu
factures shows the number o f children under 16 years of age employed
at the time the census was taken, and also the number o f children
employed in 1880, in 1890, and in 1900. Reports showing the number
o f children employed in establishments subject to inspection are pub
lished annually by the factory inspectors o f many States. These
authorities do not show the ages o f the children employed nor do they
furnish a satisfactory answer to the question whether all the children
employed are in fact above the ages specified by law. The belief exists
that in many States children are employed below these ages, and also
that in States where no law relating to child labor exists children are
employed at a very early age; but there were found no reliable
authorities showing the extent to which such laws are evaded or the
number o f very young children employed in such States. It was a
part o f the plan o f this work to present in tabular form the ages o f
all the children employed in the establishments visited, but the task
o f getting correct data as to ages proved to be one o f great difficulty,
and the instances in which it was found to be practically impossible
to obtain such data were so numerous that it seemed best to abandon
the plan. Much information, however, was collected which may not
be without value, although lacking the precision necessary for a tab
ular statement.
The laws o f Massachusetts require children to be 14 years of age in
order to be eligible for employment in manufacturing and mercantile
establishments. No child can be employed without an age and school
ing certificate. The parent or guardian o f a child applying fo r such
certificate must present to the authority issuing the certificate specific
evidence o f the child’ s age, such as a duly attested birth certificate, a
passport, or a school record. The certificate can not be issued upon
the mere oath o f the parent. The provisions o f the law against the
employment o f children without certificates are enforced by a large
corps o f factory inspectors. Children employed without certificates
were rarely found in Massachusetts. O f the few that were found
488
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
none was under 14 years o f age. In one instance a boy of 15 was so
large for his age that it had not occurred to his employer to question
him. O f the remaining children certificates showed them to be over
14 years o f age, but children o f foreign parentage were seen in some
cotton and worsted factories who were so small that it was impossible
not to suspect that they had obtained their certificates upon false
evidence. A superintendent in one o f these factories declared that,
making due allowance fo r the fact that certain children under him
were Italian and should average smaller than Americans, he was con
vinced either that they had obtained their certificates on false evidence
or that they were stunted in their growth.
In Rhode Island, at the time the State was visited for the purposes o f
this investigation, children were required to be 12 years o f age to be
eligible for employment in manufacturing and mercantile establish
ments employing five or more women and children. Children between
12 and 15 years o f age could continue in employment only on condition
that they attended school at least eight}^ consecutive school days each
year. Children under 16 years o f age seeking employment were
required to have age certificates, but parents were not required to
present specific evidence o f age unless the officer issuing the certificate
deemed it to be necessary. There was evidence that children under
12 years o f age were employed and that children between 12 and 15
years o f age were employed without school attendance. In some
manufacturing towns the provision fo r schooling was not sufficient
to accommodate all the children o f school age, and the proportion
o f those who attended fell below the average fo r the State. In these
towns the salaries o f truant officers were often so small that they could
give very little time to the duties o f the office, or their interests were
opposed to a zealous search for truants. The villages belonging to
these towns were largely inhabited by French Canadians and Italians
who had come fo r employment in the mills, many o f whom were eager
to profit by their children’s labor and occasionally succeeded in securing
employment for children under 12 years o f age. In both cities and
villages children o f foreign parentage under 15 years o f age were
allowed to work without school attendance because no suitable pro
vision was made in the schools fo r teaching them, but many were
required to attend night schools.
A bout 25 per cent o f the children employed in the establishments
reported for Rhode Island were between 12 and 14 years o f age and
about 75 per cent between 14 and 16 years o f age. Much dissat
isfaction was expressed with the school attendance provisions o f the
law both by persons interested in the schools and by manufacturers.
Since the investigation was made this feature has been repealed, and
the legal age at which children can be employed has been raised to 13
years.
CHILD LABOH IK THE UKlTED STATES.
489
In New Y ork 14 years is the age under which children can not
legally be employed in manufacturing and mercantile establishments
during the sessions o f the public schools, but children between 12 and
14 years o f age can be employed in mercantile establishments during
vacations. A few children under 14 years o f age were found in fac
tories. One, a large German girl, had been working nearly a year
without a certificate. Two small Italian girls had certificates showing
them to be over 14 years o f age, but the records at the schools they
had attended showed them to be less than that age. In several instances
where children were apparently over 14 years o f age the parents when
asked the ages did not state what was shown by the certificates, but a d if
ferent age, sometimes younger and sometimes older. One girl, 14 years
old, was born according to her certificate, only five months after her
sister, who was working in the same factory and had taken out her cer
tificate the year before. Certificates were easity obtained in New Y ork
fo r all children who had attended school one year and could read and
write simple sentences in the English language; all that was necessary
was for the parent o f such a child to swear to the place and date o f its
birth before a notary. During the session o f 1903 the legislature
altered this provision, so that now, as in Massachusetts, parents must
present specific evidence showing the ages o f their children.
In New Jersey at the time o f this investigation boys could legally
work in factories at 12 years o f age and girls at 14. Children o f both
sexes were found under the legal ages. The law provided fo r school
certificates, which were probably intended to be also age certificates,
but it did not require manufacturers employing children to keep these
certificates on file at their establishments, and it was not done. V ery
few children had certificates o f any sort. Factory inspection was
inadequate and infringements o f the law were not always discovered.
Finally public opinion had been aroused and better officers had been
appointed in some districts who were conscientiously enforcing the
provisions relating to the employment o f children. A few prosecu
tions had occurred and convictions had been secured in some o f the
cases, the effect o f which was to cause many manufacturers to inquire
more closely into the ages o f the young people in their employ. A bout
1 per cent o f the children employed in the establishments reported
were under 12 years o f age, about 20 per cent were between 12 and 14
years o f age, and about 79 per cent were between 14 and 16 years of
age. Between 3 and 4 per cent o f the girls were under 14 years of
age. Most o f the boys under 14 were employed in the glass factories.
Since these establishments in Naw Jersey were visited the legal age for
boys has been raised to 14 years.
In Pennsylvania 13 is the minimum age at which children can legally
be employed in manufacturing and mercantile industries. The law
requires age certificates for all children under 16 years o f age to be kept
490
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
on file in each establishment employing them. It was found that these
files were not carefully kept. Large children were often without
certificates.
One mother whose child began working before the
age o f 13 said: “ O f course I would not swear to a lie, but the child
was large and no certificate was needed.” Many children were found
whose parents acknowledged that they were younger than their cer
tificates showed them to be. It was unlawful to issue certificates to
children under 13 years of age, but certificates were found in the
files o f establishments visited giving the ages as 12 years. It was
also unlawful to issue certificates to children who could not read and
write the English language, but children o f foreign parentage, if they
appeared strong, found little difficulty in securing certificates, or
in finding work without them, soon after arrival.
About 25 per cent o f the children employed in the manufacturing
and mercantile establishments reported fo r Pennsylvania were between
12 and 14 years o f age and about 75 per cent between 14 and 16 years
o f age. A t the time the anthracite mines were visited for the pur
poses o f this investigation, the new law making the age at which
boys can. be employed above ground 14 years instead o f 12 years and
under ground 16 years instead o f 14 years had just gone into effect.
Operators had, with few exceptions, issued orders to foremen to
enforce the law. The old law did not require a child applying for
employment to present an age certificate, but provided merely that
the employer should demand a certificate when in doubt as to the age
o f the child. The new law adds nothing to the old in this respect.
But foremen were generally demanding certificates and discharging
any boy who could not produce one showing him to be o f legal age.
A ny parent could obtain a certificate for his child if willing to swear
to statements showing him to be over 14 years o f age. Nearly 1 per
cent o f the breaker boys reported were under 12 years o f age, about
8 per cent were between 12 and 14 years o f age, and about 91 per
cent were between 14 and 16 years o f age. Some o f the boys under
age were employed in breakers where the foremen had not yet
begun to enforce the new provisions o f the law. No returns were
made o f boys employed under ground, but many were seen whose
appearance contradicted the certified evidence that they were over 16
years o f age.
In Maryland the employment o f children under 12 years of age was
prohibited by law in 1894. In 1902 this law was amended so as to
prohibit the employment o f children under 14 years of age in factories
and mills. No certificates were required. A bout 1 per cent of the
children found employed in the establishments reported were under 12
years o f age, about 20 per cent were between 12 and 14 years of age,
and about 79 per cent between 14 and 16 years o f age.
In North Carolina the law prohibiting the employment o f children
under 12 years o f age enacted at the last session o f the legislature
CHILD LABOR IK THE (JKITED STATES.
491
had not yet gone into effect. There was therefore no legal restriction
upon the ages at which children could be employed. In one establish
ment reported in the tables— No. 158— no attempt was made to obtain
the ages o f the children employed under 12, between 12 and 14, and
between 14 and 16 years o f age. About 18 per cent o f the children
employed in the remaining establishments reported were under 12 years
o f age, about 36 per cent were between 12 and 14 years o f age, and
about 46 per cent were between 14 and 16 years o f age. Manufac
turers in this State declared that personally they had no desire to
employ young children, that there was no profit in it for themselves,
and that so far as possible they had excluded those under 12 years
o f age; but the demand o f parents fo r work for their children was
so great that it could not be withstood without the loss o f good opera
tives, since the latter would not hesitate to leave employers who
refused to employ their children and would seek less scrupulous
employers. Against this should be set the remark of a manufacturer
in South Carolina who, after stating that about one-fifth o f his spin
ning frames were idle, said, in answer to an inquiry, that this was not
due so much to the high price o f cotton as to the fact that spinning
frames could be made faster than spinners could be grown to run them.
In North Carolina there is much night work among the yarn mills.
O f 66 children working nights in four mills, 8 were under 12 years
o f age, 24 were between 12 and 14 years o f age, and 34 were between
14 and 16 years o f age. O f the 8 under 12 years o f age 5 were boys
and 3 were girls.
In South Carolina the child labor law enacted at the last session o f
the legislature had just gone into effect when this investigation was
made. This law prohibited the employment o f children under 10
years o f age on and after the 1st day o f May, 1903, under 11 years of
age on and after the 1st day o f May, 1904, and under 12 years o f age
on and after the 1st day o f May, 1905, and the employment o f children
at night under 12 years o f age after May 1,1903. About 20 per cent o f
the children employed in the establishments reported for this State
were under 12 years o f age, about 45 per cent were between 12 and 14
years o f age, and about 35 per cent were between 14 and 16 years o f
age. A few under 10 years o f age were found in both North and
South Carolina. Many o f the larger manufacturers in South Carolina
had, previous to the passage o f the law, adopted the policy o f restric
ting the employment o f children to those 12 years o f age and upward.
A placard containing the follow ing statements was found posted in one
o f the mills:
The follow ing rules, amongst others, * * * are to govern all
parties seeking employtnent and in the employment o f ----------mill,
to wit:
First. A ll children, members o f the family, between the ages o f five
and twelve years, shall enter the school maintained by said company,
492
BULLETIN OP THE BUEEAtT OP LABOE.
and shall attend every day during the school session unless prevented
by sickness or other unavoidable causes.
Second. A ll children, members o f a family, above twelve years o f
age, shall work regularly in the mill, and shall not be excused from
service therein without the consent o f the superintendent fo r good
cause.
These rules not only illustrate the intention o f the manufacturer to
restrict child labor, but also show the practice which prevails in the
South o f employing help by the family. The employer expects to
control all the productive energy in the family that he can use. He
agrees to give the head o f the family house room, not according to the
accommodation that is needed, but according to the number o f
“ hands ” he can supply. In some places the rule is to allow one room
per ‘ ‘hand,” in others three rooms per two “ hands.” Heads of fami
lies complained that they were obliged to put children under 12 years of
age to work, since otherwise they would be cramped for room. Fami
lies were found, however, against which these rules were not enforced.
Especially were exceptions made in favor o f employees who had been
many years with a company. No provision is made by the new childlabor laws o f North Carolina and South Carolina fo r factory inspec
tion and no system o f factory inspection exists in these States. Chil
dren seeking employment are not required to present age certificates,
except that in South Carolina children under 12 years o f age who,
after 1905, can be employed only under special conditions, such as
widowhood o f mother, disabled father, or no visible means of support,
must have certificates stating age, signed by the nearest magistrate.
Georgia has as yet no law limiting the age at which children can be
employed in factories; but the members o f the Georgia Industrial
Association, a private organization o f manufacturers, about three years
ago agreed among themselves to discontinue the employment o f children
under 12 years o f age. They drew up the following set o f rules, which
they pledged themselves to enforce on and after the 1st o f September,
1901:
1. That one week’s work shall not exceed sixty-six hours.
2. That no child less than 12 years old shall work at night in any
cotton or woolen mill under any circumstances; that no child less than
12 years old shall be allowed to w ork there at all, unless such child
has a widowed mother or physically disabled parents who are depend
ent fo r support upon the labor o f such child, or unless such child can
read and write, or unless such child attends school fo r four months in
each calendar year; and, provided further, that no child under 10 years
o f age shall be permitted to w ork in any such mill or factory under
any circumstances.
3. That we approve o f all efforts that will perfect and improve the
educational facilities o f the laboring people o f Georgia, and will cheer
fully bear our part o f the burdens and labors thereof.
4. That we each pledge ourselves to the enforcement o f these rules
by all proper means, in letter and in spirit, by all the mills in Georgia,
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
493
and hereby authorize the executive committee o f the Georgia Indus
trial Association to take all necessary steps fo r that purpose. (a)
A ccording to the terms of this agreement the manufacturers may
employ, fo r eight months each year, children between 10 and 12 years
o f age who have both parents living and in good health, and who can
not read and write, provided they attend school the remaining four
months; they may employ all the time children between 10 and 12
years o f age who can not read and write, if their fathers are not liv
ing or if their parents are physically disabled. A bout 10 per cent of
the children found employed in the establishments reported were
between 10 and 12 years o f age, about 44 per cent were between 12
and 14 years o f age, and about 46 per cent were between 14 and 16
years o f age.
No law was in force in Alabama restricting the employment of
children, but one had been enacted and went into effect a few weeks
after the four establishments reported fo r the State were visited.
A bout 28 per cent o f the children employed in these establishments
were under 12 years o f age, about 89 per cent were between 12 and
14 years o f age, and about 88 per cent were between 14 and 16 years
o f age.
In Wisconsin children can not legally be employed under 14 years
o f age, except in stores and laundries, by telephone and telegraph
companies, or in the public-messenger service during the vacations of
the schools, and except, between 12 and 14 years o f age, under special
conditions, such as widowhood o f mother. No children under 12 were
found employed in the establishments reported, but between 3 and 4
per cent were under 14 years o f age.
The laws o f Illinois prohibit the employment o f children under 14
years o f age in factories, stores, and mines, and require that age cer
tificates be placed on file in the offices o f establishments employing
children. O f the children found in the employment o f the establish
ments reported and having certificates showing them to be 14 years o f
age or over, the size and appearance o f many contradicted the evidence
o f the certificates. Two coal mines were visited in this State in which
boys under 16 years o f age were employed underground. A t one mine
45 boys were found, at the other 130, but these figures do not represent
the whole number employed. The provisions o f the law requiring each
child to present an age certificate or affidavit, to be kept on file in the
office, were not enforced with any degree o f strictness, fully one-third
o f those employed being without certificates. The numbers given
above were obtained by taking the names and ages o f the boys as they
came from the cage. They all claimed to be over 14 years o f age. A
large proportion o f the children at work* in Illinois are o f foreign par
ents, many o f whom do not scruple to obtain age certificates for their
«F rom a placard found in a Georgia cotton m ill.
494
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
children upon false representations. Upon one occasion a parent,
wishing to obtain employment fo r his son in a mine, obtained a certifi
cate for an older boy who had passed his sixteenth birthday, and taking
him to the superintendent, when applying fo r the work, secured the
position. The younger boy who was under the legal age was after
wards substituted, and worked fo r some time before the fraud was
discovered.
In Missouri children under 14 years o f age can not legally be
employed in manufacturing establishments, although no age certifi
cates are required. Under circumstances implying extreme poverty
inspectors granted permits to children under 14 years o f age, enabling
them to obtain employment. In many instances parents were not
averse to having their children under legal age declare themselves to
be 14 years o f age, and depend upon their ability to avoid the eye o f
the inspector and thus to escape detection. Between 7 and 8 per cent
o f the children employed in the establishments reported were under
14 years of age.
EARNINGS AN D OCCUPATIONS.
The earnings and occupations o f children are given in Tables I and
II, by States and industries. In selecting industries and establish
ments fo r investigation the object in view was to present both the
variety o f conditions and the number o f children subject to them in
each State. Thus more industries are reported for some States than
fo r others, and industries employing a large number o f children are
represented by more establishments than are those employing a small
number. B y referring to Table 1 (page 541) it will be seen that 10
industries are reported fo r Massachusetts and that they are represented
by 18 establishments, in which 1,213 children were employed, and that
one o f these industries— the manufacture o f cotton goods— is repre
sented by 7 establishments in which 504 children were employed, or 42
per cent o f the whole number o f children employed in all the establish
ments reported, or 43 per cent o f the whole number in the manufac
turing establishments only. Since, according to the figures reported
by the Twelfth Census, 48 per cent o f the children under 16 years o f
age employed in the manufacturing establishments o f the State during
the census year were employed in the manufacture o f cotton goods,
the numbers reported in Table I are fairly representative. Only one
industry— the cotton manufacturing industry— is reported in the table
for South Carolina, but according to the census figures nearly 95 per
cent o f the children employed in manufactures in the State were
employed in this industry.
Textile industries, especially cotton, worsted, linen, and silk goods,
use much child labor, but the proportion o f children to the total num
ber o f persons employed is greater in some States and sections o f the
495
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES,
country than in others. Textile industries are represented in Table I
by establishments in which the manufacture of yarn, thread, cloth,
and carpets is carried on. The establishments which are reported for
the Eastern, Middle, and Southern States fairly represent the practice
o f manufacturers in these States in regard to the use o f child labor in
textile industries. This practice is more definitely indicated by the
follow ing table relating to textile establishments, which is drawn from
Table I, and which shows the total number o f persons employed at the
time the establishments were visited and the number and per cent o f
children under 16 years o f age employed at that time:
NUMBER AND PER CENT OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE EMPLOYED IN
TEXTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, BY STATES.
State and industry.
Children under 16
Estab Total peryears o f age.
lish sons.emments. ployed. Number. P ercent.
MASSACHUSETTS.
C arpets.......... ..................................................................................
Cotton and worsted g ood s..............................................................
Cotton goods.....................................................................................
W oolen goods...................................................................................
Worsted g ood s.................................................................................
1
1
7
2
1
2,178
6,002
8,705
786
912
142
348
504
13
80
6.5
7.0
5.8
1.7
8.8
T otal................................................................. ......................
12
17,583
1,087
6.2
Cotton goods.....................................................................................
Cotton goods, narrow fabrics .........................................................
Hosiery and knit g ood s..................................................................
Worsted yarn s..................................................................................
2
1
1
1
1,645
660
515
417
106
39
40
69
6.4
6.9
7.8
16.5
T otal........................................................................................
5
3,237
254
6.0
Carpets, ju te .....................................................................................
Cotton goods.....................................................................................
Cordage, twine, e t c .........................................................................
K nit goods........................................................................................
1
2
1
2
551
3,120
650
643
51
129
20
23
9.3
4.1
3.1
3.6
T otal........................................................................................
6
4,964
223
4.5
Cotton thread...................................................................................
Linen thread, twine, and yarns.....................................................
Silk goods, b roa d .............................................................................
Silk goods, broad, and ribbon.........................................................
Silk goods, throw n...........................................................................
1
1
2
1
3
1,932
705
716
800
345
175
126
15
77
64
9.1
17.9
2.1
9.6
18.6
T otal........................................................................................
8
4,498
457
10.2
Cotton and w oolen g ood s...............................................................
H osiery.............................................................................................
Silk goods, throw n...........................................................................
Silk goods, thrown and b ro a d .......................................................
W oolen and worsted g o o d s............................................................
W oolen and worsted y a m s............................................................
2
1
3
2
1
2
860
422
647
1,924
1,559
513
68
121
145
594
118
114
7.9
28.7
22.4
30.9
7.6
22.2
T otal........................................................................................
11
6,925
1,160
19.6
2
690
117
17.0
Cotton goods.....................................................................................
Cotton yam s.....................................................................................
Cordage, yam , e t c ...........................................................................
5
3
1
1,277
421
75
288
121
16
22.6
28.7
21.3
Total........................................................................................
9
1,773
425
24.0
RHODE ISLAND.
NEW YORK.
NEW JERSEY.
PENNSYLVANIA.
MARYLAND.
Cotton duck, tw ine, and rope.........................................................
NORTH CAROLINA.
496
BULLETIH OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
NUMBER AND PER CENT OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE EMPLOYED IN
TEXTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, BY STATES—Concluded.
State and industry.
Children under 16
Estab Total per
years of age.
lish sons em
ments. ployed. Number. Per cent.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Cotton goods.....................................................................................
Cotton yarns.....................................................................................
8
1
3,908,
99
799
31
20.4
31.3
T otal........................................................................................
9
4,007
830
20.7
Cotton and w oolen goods...............................................................
Cotton goods.....................................................................................
Cotton goods, bags, and bleaching................................................
Cotton yam s.....................................................................................
1
9
1
1
350
a 5,330
51,047
126
27
5191
7
7.7
a 18.2
518.2
5.6
T otal........................................................................................
12
6,853
1,193
17.4
Cotton goods.....................................................................................
Cotton y a m s.....................................................................................
K nit goods........................................................................................
1
2
1
385
283
150
113
77
33
29.4
27.2
22.0
T otal........................................................................................
4
818
223
27.2
GEORGIA.
a m
ALABAMA.
a Not including 6 children em ployed Saturdays and holidays.
5 Not including 11 children em ployed after school hours and a half day Saturdays.
It appears from this table that the percentages average larger in the
Southern States than in the Middle States, and larger in the Middle
States, except in New Y ork, than in the Eastern States. A smaller
percentage is shown fo r Georgia than for the other Southern States.
This is no doubt due to the restrictions upon the employment o f
children which the manufacturers o f this State have been voluntarily
enforcing against themselves fo r the past two years. The voluntary
restriction which has also existed in South Carolina has not been so
general as in Georgia.
Similar percentages might be given fo r all the establishments
reported in Table I, but the information would be of little value;
indeed, in many cases it would be misleading, for, except in textiles,
an industry in many instances is not represented by more than one
establishment in a State. In such cases the establishment reporting
can not be relied upon to indicate accurately the practice o f manufac
turers generally in the State in regard to the relative number of
children employed in the industry which it represents.
The department stores in large cities perhaps stand next to textile
industries in the employment o f child labor. Modern inventions, such
as cash carriers and pneumatic tubes, may diminish the relative demand
fo r child labor, but as the industry develops, as establishments increase
in size and comprehensiveness, and as the labor in them becomes
more and more subdivided, there is no limit to the absolute demand fo r
little people to run errands, carry messages, and generally engage in the
minor services connected with waiting on customers. Department
stores are reported for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Y ork, Penn
sylvania, Maryland, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri. Effort was
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
497
made to represent all conditions. Establishments 43 and 44 in New
Y ork were stores on the east side in New Y ork City. The num
ber o f children employed was small, but the percentages were larger
in these stores, than in any others reported. They were 30 and 25
per cent, respectively. Six stores, namely, establishments 20, 109,
190, 196, 211, and 212, contained from 10 to 16 per cent; the remain
ing stores contained from 3 to 9 per cent of children. W ith one
exception each way the stores in which more than 10 per cent o f the
employees were children, kept longer hours than those m which the
number o f children employed was less than 10 per cent of the whole
number o f employees. The exceptions are establishments 109 and
110. The first, which had a percentage o f children of 16 per cent, had
a shorter working day and week than many which had a percentage
o f children o f less than 10 per cent. The second, which had a per
centage o f children o f 7 per cent, had a longer working day and week
than most o f those which had a percentage o f children o f more than
10 per cent. By referring to Table I, it will be seen that establish
ment 20, in Rhode Island, employed on Saturdays a large number of
children in addition to its regular force. These children were between
12 and 16 years o f age; they worked at the store from 8 a. m. to
10.30 p. m ., and attended school the other five days o f the week.
Other stores were found to be employing an extra force on Saturdays,
including many children, but in no other case was it possible to get
the exact number employed on a particular day. Establishments 43
and 44, cited above, employed an extra force, Saturday afternoons and
evenings, o f from 10 to 20 children.
Some establishments which were visited are not reported in the
table because complete information could not be obtained. Am ong
these are establishments representing the canning industry in Maryland.
The children who find work in these establishments during the pack
ing season may be divided into two classes, as follows: (1) Time work
ers, whose occupations, such as filling cans, carrying cans, pasting on
labels, etc., are connected with canning the goods and getting the cans
ready for market; and (2) piece workers whose occupations are all in
connection with preparing the goods fo r canning. In the establish
ments visited there were employed from 8 to 20 children o f the first
class. They were all over 12 years o f age, and most o f them were
over 14 years o f age. The number o f children o f the second class
fluctuated from day to day. It depended upon the amount o f child
labor required to attend to the fruit or vegetable on hand. Large
numbers found employment during the strawberry season, because
the labor o f hulling and picking over the berries can easily be per
formed by quite small children. Children no older than 5 years were
allowed to work. V ery young children were also allowed to help in
preparing peaches and string beans. But in preparing pineapples
8674— No. 52—04----- 2
498
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
there was not much that they could do. Strictly, these children were
not employed by the company; they helped their mothers, older
sisters, or friends. The managers o f the companies were usually
unwilling to admit young children unless they were accompanied by
older persons and then only when there was w ork which they could
do; but a mother could often get her small boy or girl in at meal
times, when lunches were brought from home, and keep the child sev
eral hours before discovered. I f there was nothing else the child
could do he could help his mother by fetching and carrying for her.
The regular hours o f labor in these packing houses were ten hours a
day, but the actual time worked depended upon the amount and kind
o f goods on hand. The work often did not require the full day, but
when a large lot o f perishable goods was on hand it continued many
hours into the night.
The children found in the cotton factories in the Southern States
were white children, except a very few in two establishments, but
colored children were found employed in tobacco factories. O f the
children employed in establishment 158 in North Carolina, 429 were
colored. Most o f them were stemmers, but a large proportion o f
the weighers and about one-half o f the taggers were colored boys.
The stemmers were piece workers, employed and paid by their rela
tives or friends whom they helped. They were mostly over 10 years
o f age, the majority were over 12, but children 6 or 7 years old
were seen standing by their mothers doing the same work. Many o f
these children expected to leave off work at Christmas time, which
would be in a few weeks, and go to school. In establishment 213 in
Missouri, also a tobacco factory, 30 colored boys were employed as
sweepers and rackers. They all claimed to be over 14 years o f age.
The colored children found in cotton factories were 2 boys in estab
lishment 161, employed, one as a sweeper, the other as a waste picker;
and 7 boys in establishment 178 employed in the bleachery.
The earnings o f children employed in the establishments reported
are given in Table I in two ways—by showing the highest, lowest, and
average earnings per week fo r each establishment, and by giving the
numbers employed in each establishment earning specified amounts.
The latter is o f value as showing m oie accurately than can be done by
averages the condition o f the children as to wages. The information
given in the table is drawn from the weekly earnings o f each child on
full time. In the case o f piece workers full-time weekly earnings were
estimated by considering the time actually worked and the amount
earned during that time. This was possible in most cases, but in some
establishments no records were kept o f the time o f piece workers, and
their employers were unable to give needed facts. These piece workers
are included in the numbers employed in these establishments, but their
earnings are not included in the information relative to the earnings
CHILD LABOR IK THE UKITED STATES.
499
of the children employed, and their numbers are deducted from the
whole number employed in calculating average earnings. The most
important cases o f piece workers omitted in this way are 250 children
employed in establishment 90, 54 in establishment 114, 305 in estab
lishment 158, and 52 in establishment 213. The piece workers
excluded in establishment 90, a cigar factory, were cigar rollers and
bunch makers. A majority o f them were earning between $3 and $4
a week. It is probable that had their earnings been included the
average earnings for the establishment would have been represented
by a higher figure than that reported. In establishment 114, which
manufactured hosiery, at least 35 o f the 54 piece workers excluded
were earning more than $4 a week; 19 o f these were earning over $5
a week. Had their earnings been included the average for the estab
lishment would have been higher, but it would not have been much,
if any, over $4. In establishment 158, which manufactured tobacco,
the piece workers excluded were stemmers; they were colored children
and, although their time was much broken, they were said to average
about $2.40 per week. Their earnings would probably have lowered
the average reported for that establishment. In establishment 213,
which also manufactured tobacco, the piece workers excluded were
white girls employed as wrapper stemmers, and their earnings, aver
aging between $5 and $6 a week, would probably have raised slightly
the average reported fo r the establishment.
It was originally intended to give the earnings o f the children by
occupations, but the plan was abandoned because in many of the indus
tries considered very few were employed at what could be termed
skilled labor; also, many were not confined to a single definite occupa
tion, but might be set at several different tasks in the course o f a
week. The occupations at which children were employed in the estab
lishments reported are given separately in Table II (pages 546-554).
B y looking up in this table any establishment reported in Table I a
general idea can be gained as to the manner in which the labor o f the
children was utilized. The occupations are classified according to the
sex o f the children; also the important occupations, those at which a
greater number o f children were employed, are indicated by italics;
and those at which only one child was found employed are shown in
the singular number.
By reference again to Table I it will be seen that the difference
shown between the highest and lowest earnings of children in many
establishments is considerable. This is especially true o f the textile
industry. In establishments representing this industry, not only
were different occupations paid at different rates, but there was great
diversity in the earnings o f children in the same occupation. Thus in
a cotton factory in Massachusetts 14 weavers averaged from $3.45 to
$10.90 during the week considered; 12 spinners averaged from $2.26
500
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
to $7.30 during the same time. In a cotton factory in South Carolina 5
weavers averaged from $3.60 to $5.76, and 45 spinners averaged from
90 cents to $5.29. Similar differences were found in some o f the
occupations in other industries. They usually occurred wherever
work was paid fo r by the piece. In all piecework the rate was the
same for children as fo r adults. The wages paid children in depart
ment stores were, as a rule, lower than those paid in manufacturing
establishments in the same State, but the hours of labor fo r all em
ployees were less.
The condition o f children in each State as to earning capacity is
further shown in the last eight columns o f Table 1, which gives for
each establishment the number o f children fo r whom earnings were
reported, classified according to weekly earnings. The following table
drawn from this part o f Table I summarizes the condition in each
State, and fo r the 13 States. The earnings are divided into three
classes instead o f eight as in Table I, namely, earnings under $3; $3
or under $4; $4 or over; and in addition to the numbers the percent
ages o f children in each class are given so that their condition in each
State may be more readily perceived.
CLASSIFIED WEEKLY EARNINGS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY STATES.
States.
Estab
lish
ments.
Children.
Number of children un
der 16 years of age
earning—
Per cent of children un
der 16 years of age
earning—
Under 33 or un 34 or
der $4. over.
$3.
Under 33 or un 34 or
33.
der 34. over.
Massachusetts..............................
Rhode Isla n d ..............................
New Y ork.....................................
New Jersey...................................
Pennsylvania..............................
M aryland.....................................
North Carolina.............................
South Carolina.............................
G eorgia........................................
Alabam a.......................................
W isconsin.....................................
Illin ois..........................................
M issouri........................................
18
10
36
24
45
11
14
9
15
4
6
14
9
1,213
395
1,175
1,214
4,033
824
770
829
1,218
223
654
1,604
959
98
76
184
229
1,006
583
439
549
626
177
118
366
158
335
180
713
733
1,486
164
265
235
456
41
222
521
460
780
139
278
252
1,541
77
66
45
136
5
314
717
341
8.1
19.2
15.6
18.9
24.9
70.8
57.0
66.2
51.4
79.4
18.0
22.8
16.5
27.6
45.6
60.7
60.4
36.9
19.9
34.4
28.4
37.4
18.4
34.0
32.5
48.0
64.3
85.2
23.7
20.7
38.2
9.3
8.6
5.4
11.2
2.2
48.0
44.7
35.5
T otal...................................
215
15,111
4,609
5,811
4,691
30.5
38.5
31.0
Earnings were reported fo r 15,111 children in 215 establishments
in 13 States. O f this number 30.5 per cent were earning less than $3
a week, 38.5 per cent were earning $3 but under $4 a week, 31 per
cent were earning $4 or over a week. The earnings o f the largest
number were $3 or under $4 a week. In Massachusetts alone more
than 50 per cent o f the children reported earned $4 or over, while in
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama
more than 50 per cent o f the children earned less than $3. In the
remaining States less than 50 per cent earned under $3, and less than
50 per cent earned over $4, but only in New Y ork and New Jersey
did more than 50 per cent earn between $3 and $4 a week. The
m i t t ) LAB0& Iff M E UKlTED STATES.
501
earnings o f the children were least in those States in which there was
little or no limitation placed upon their employment. But it does not
necessarily follow that the smaller earnings in those States were due
to the fact that younger children were employed; the two circum
stances may have a common cause in general industrial conditions.
HOURS OF LABOR.
The data in regard to the hours o f labor o f children are given in
Table III (pages 554-558.) Since the working day is usually the same
for all classes even in States where the maximum hours for women
and children are fixed by law, the regular working hours o f the estab
lishments reported are given in the table, and a few exceptions apply
ing to children added in footnotes. The daily hours from Monday to
Friday, inclusive, the hours fo r Saturday, and the whole number of
hours per week are given in separate columns. The table also shows
the length o f noon intermissions and those establishments which re
quire overtime work o f children. The hours for night work in such
establishments as use a regular night force are given in footnotes.
The facts which appear most prominent in this table are the lack of
uniformity in regard both to working time and to intermissions, and
the greater number o f hours in the Southern textile factories as com
pared with factories o f any kind in the Northern and Western States.
The usual hours o f labor per week in textile manufacturing establish
ments were 58 in Massachusetts, 60 in Rhode Island, New Y ork,
Pennsylvania, and Maryland; 55 in New Jersey, and 66 in North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, while in Alabama they were
more than 66 in two establishments. Southern manufacturers claim
that in a warm climate more hours are required to accomplish the
same production than in a cold climate. The temperament of Southern
working people is said to be less energetic than that o f their Northern
competitors, a fact which manifests itself in much broken time.
Employers complain that it is necessary to employ a large number o f
spare hands in order to keep the work going. Much broken time
appeared in the time records o f children in many Southern factories.
Some parents admitted that their children did not like to work all the
time, while denying that they were ill or tired. Others complained
that their children were not allowed to work the full time; that more
children were employed than could be given work, so a few were
selected each day to be sent home. One superintendent stated that
the children he employed usually worked full time except when sent
home “ to rest.” But children seldom lost by broken time enough to
reduce their hours o f labor below 60 per week, rarely so much as that,
except for actual sickness. Some occupations o f children did not
require continuous labor. An example o f this was the doffers in cotton
factories who often had several hours a day when they would not be
502
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
actively at work. Sometimes they were allowed to spend their wait
ing time in the mill yard at play; this was seen in the South. Some
times when the waiting time occurred near the end o f a morning or
afternoon they were sent home.
In Rhode Island and New Y ork the number o f hours during which
children can be employed has been reduced by law since the facts given
in the table were collected, except those relating to ten establishments
in New York. In Rhode Island the number o f hours has been reduced
from 60 per week to 58 for children under 16 years o f age. In New
Y ork under the old law children under 16 years o f age could be
employed 10 hours a day and 60 per week. The new law retains
this time fo r persons under 18 and women under 21, but prohibits the
labor o f children under 16 more than 9 hours a day and 54 hours a
week. In practice when an establishment runs more than 10 hours a
day fo r five days for the purpose o f shortening one day, as is often the
case, the hours per week o f children under 16 are reduced below 54
hours. Facts were collected from ten establishments in New Y ork
after this provision went into effect, but all were not enforcing it. In
a few instances the establishments were not running full time, and in
one establishment the ages o f the children approached so near to 16
years that permission had been given to continue their employment
on the old basis. Managers asserted that on account o f the inconven
ience o f enforcing the 9-hour law they intended in the future to
employ no children under 16 years o f age.
Textile manufacturing establishments usually run the full number
o f hours per week allowed by law, other factories often run less time.
In New Jersey, however, where the hours fixed by law are less than
in any other State comprehended in this study, the legal number, 55
per week, was in force in the textile establishments reported, but
some o f the establishments representing other industries were keep
ing longer hours.
The custom o f giving a half holiday on Saturdays or closing earlier
in the afternoon on that day than on other days generally prevailed in
textile manufacturing establishments. But the vacation on Saturdays
was usually earned by longer hours the rest o f the week. Thus chil
dren earned their half holiday on Saturday by working 10£ hours
each o f the other five days in Massachusetts, 10f hours in Rhode
Island, 12| hours in one establishment in Alabama, and 12 hours in
South Carolina. Many manufacturing establishments in New Y ork
City and elsewhere gave a half holiday on Saturday during the sum
mer months only. The time allowed fo r noon intermissions was
usually about the same in textile manufacturing establishments in the
same State, but it differed in different parts o f the country. In the
establishments reported fo r Massachusetts, New Y ork, and New
Jersey it was 1 hour. In all but one o f those reported fo r Rhode
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
503
Island it was 45 minutes; in those reported for Pennsylvania, Mary
land, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama it was
usually 30 minutes, or not more than 45 minutes. In other manufac
turing establishments the time varied even in the same State.
The regular working time o f mercantile establishments varied both
as to numbers and distribution o f hours. Department stores doing a
large popular business maintained long hours on Saturday, keeping
open until 9 or 10 p. m., or even later. The children employed in
these establishments were usually required to remain until closing time,
but they were permitted to come an hour or more late on certain
mornings, so that the total hours for the week would come within legal
limitations. Nearly all the department stores reported gave a half
holiday one day in the week during the summer months. Complete
information was not obtained on this point. Most o f those stores not
keeping open late on Saturday gave a summer half holiday on Satur
day, one o f those keeping late hours on Saturday gave a summer half
holiday on Friday, viz, establishment 20 in Rhode Island, and one of
those keeping late hours on Saturday gave its summer half holiday on
Saturday, viz, establishment 139 in Maryland. Nearly all the depart
ment stores kept open overtime during the holiday seasons. In some
establishments the children who were kept late one evening were
allowed to come from two to three hours late the next morning. It
was usual in department stores to allow the employees one hour for
their noonday meal, but not the same hour for all. A n intermission
for supper, usually 30 minutes, was allowed on Saturdays by stores
keeping open two or more hours after 6 p. m ., and during the holi
day seasons on any day by stores keeping open two or more hours
overtime.
Table II I snows the establishments in which children were required to
work overtime during the past year. This overtime labor was usually
performed after the regular closing hour at night and sometimes dur
ing the noon hour. It usually did not involve the whole establishment,
and was seldom required o f more than a small portion o f the children
employed. The periods o f overtime work were usually short, i. e.,
not more than three weeks, but a few instances o f 10 and 12 weeks were
found. The number o f extra hours per day varied from 1 to 3. The
number o f days a week were usually g or 3 ? but often not more than 1.
Usually the overtime work did not continue after 7 p. m. But there
were instances when the closing hour was not until 8 or 9 p. m. In such
cases opportunity to eat a lunch was generally given the children
and other employees.
Overtime work does not include regular
night work, the hours o f which, for the establishments which reported
night work, are given in the footnotes accompanying Table III.
Regular night work was found to occur only in certain industries.
Those reported are glass, steel, silk, and cotton yarns. In the last
504
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
two night work was not general except in certain localities. There
were two methods o f employing night labor, the same persons being
employed either exclusively at night or employed alternately at night
and during the day in two shifts o f a week each in length. The first
method was found in practice in establishments manufacturing silk
and cotton yarns, and was reported in 1 establishment in Pennsylvania,
4 in North Carolina, 1 in South Carolina, and 1 in Georgia. Night
work was found to exist in other textile establishments in Rhode
Island, Alabama, and Georgia, for which complete information was
not obtained. The second method o f employing night labor was
found in practice in glass factories and steel works, o f which 5 estab
lishments in New Jersey and 5 in Pennsylvania were reported. Chil
dren were employed at night in all the establishments for which night
work was reported, and in those in which it was known to exist.
The hours o f night work in 3 cotton factories in North Carolina (in
one o f these the night work was in the yarn department only), and
in 1 in Georgia were 12 each night from Monday to Friday, inclu
sive, and none on Saturday night, making 60 for the week. The
hours at night in a cordage establishment in North Carolina were
12 each night from Monday to Friday, inclusive, and 6 on Saturday
night, making 66 fo r the week. In the cotton factory in South Caro
lina the hours at night were 11 for six nights, making 66 for the
week, but Saturday’s work began immediately at the close o f the usual
noon intermission and ended at midnight. No stated intermission
during the night was granted for lunch in any o f these factories except
in the one in South Carolina, where 15 minutes was given at mid
night Monday to Friday, and at 6 p. m. on Saturday. Employees
were allowed to take time fo r eating their lunches, which they brought
with them, while the machinery was running and the work going on.
The hours o f night work at a mill in Georgia which was not reported
were H i each night for five nights and 3 f on Saturday, making 60
hours in all. On Saturday the night force began work at 1 p. m.,
immediately after the day force had left the mill, and finished at 4.45
p. m. W hen night work was begun at this mill, an intermission o f one
hour was allowed at midnight, and work on Saturday continued until
9.45 p. m., but it was discontinued at the special request o f the opera
tives, who since they were obliged in either case to bring their lunches,
preferred to eat them while the work was going on, and have the
shorter session on Saturday. Some o f the establishments reported
from the Southern States which were not running at night had been
running at night within a few years, a few within one year, and one
establishment fo r which night work is reported discontinued the night
w ork the week follow ing the investigation. It was claimed by some
o f the manufacturers that night work was going into disfavor, because
it was costlier than day work, since not only the rates o f wages were
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
505
higher but the production was relatively less. But a great deal o f
night work remains, especially in small yarn mills.
The glass factories and steel mills reporting night work followed
the method o f alternating day and night shifts o f a week each. The
night week in the 5 glass bottle factories reported in New Jersey, and
the 1 in Pennsylvania, included only 5 nights, no work being done
Saturday night. The hours o f labor in the New Jersey factories for
day work extended from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m. every day, for night w ork
from 5 and 5.15 p. m. to 2, 2.15, 2.30 and 3 a. m. for 5 nights in the
week. Two intermissions of from 15 to 30 minutes in length were
given during the night in all but one establishment, not merely for
lunch, but to allow a general relaxation after the incessant toil at the
furnaces. Similar intermissions were given during the day in addition
to the dinner hour; they usually occurred in both the forenoon and
afternoon about midway o f the session. The time o f these intermis
sions is not included in the working time o f these establishments as
reported in the table. These glass factories do not continue in opera
tion the entire year, but only during the time of a “ blast” or “ fire,”
which lasts as a rule from September 1 to June 30. The hours of labor
fo r night work, it will be noticed, conclude at a very early hour in the
morning. The boys are often afraid to g o home at this time and remain
until daybreak, in the factory, sleeping on the floor. The glass facto
ries visited in Maryland and reported in the table represent the same
branch o f the industry as the New Jersey factories—the manufacture o f
bottles— but they were running without night work. They were using
pot furnaces instead o f the continuous tank furnaces in use in New Jer
sey. The latter, which are said to be rapidly superseding the former
in this industry, require night work. Thus the demand fo r the night
labor o f boys, Whose assistance at the furnaces seems to be indispensable,
appears to be increasing. The hours o f labor at night in the steel
works and rolling mills connected with establishments 128, 129, and
130 were 11J each night fo r 6 nights, or 69 hours a week; they began
at 6 p. m. and ended at 5.55 a. m., with an intermission o f 25 minutes
fo r lunch at some time during the night. The night shift began Sun
day evening at 6 and the week’s work ended at 5.55 the following
Saturday morning. These hours are longer than the hours reported
fo r any other establishment, night or day. But the work o f the boys
is not continuous, it being claimed that they are not employed more
than 40 minutes in each hour. In these establishments, and also in the
glass factories, there is more or less irregular overtime work done by
children. The night force may be short a few boys when it begins
work, and boys who have just finished day work are often kept a part
o f the night to take the places o f the absent ones. Or ambitious boys
will be allowed to remain during a part o f an incoming shift if there is
work they can do.
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BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Certain offices representing the telegraph and messenger service
were visited in New Y ork City and in Philadelphia. They are not
reported in the table, but information was obtained concerning the
ages and hours o f labor o f the messengers. Fully one-fourth were
boys under 16 years o f age, o f whom more than one-third in the Phil
adelphia offices were between 12 and 14 years o f age. A small num
ber under 14 was found in the New Y ork offices. The regular time
these boys were on duty was 10 hours a day fo r 6 days, and 12 hours
every other Sunday. Some offices did not require Sunday duty, and
one office in the financial district o f New Y ork City was open only 9
hours a day, but the boys it employed usually went up town and
served during the evening in other offices. Although the boys
were expected to be on duty 10 hours a day, they did not all serve at
the same time. The messengers in any one office were divided into
groups, each group beginning and ending work at times so arranged
that a certain number would be on hand as long as the office remained
open. Some offices were open the entire 24 hours, others not more
than 18 hours. Older boys were usually selected for night work, but
boys under 16 years o f age were often on duty after 9 p. m. Boys
often remained on duty more than 10 hours. The overplus was con
sidered overtime and paid fo r with an additional allowance o f 15 cents
for supper money fo r boys kept after 9 p. m.
CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS AFFECTING CHILDREN.
There are many conditions which affect the well-being o f working
children besides the hours o f labor. Some o f these are the sanitary
condition o f the buildings in which they work, the demands o f the
particular occupations which form their daily tasks, and the character
o f associates with whom they are thrown.
W ith a few exceptions large establishments were found to be better
equipped with arrangements to preserve the health and secure the
com fort o f operatives than small ones. The workrooms were larger
and higher, and furnished with larger and more numerous windows.
Many o f the buildings were equipped with excellent systems o f venti
lation, and the air within their walls seemed fresh and wholesome.
Electricity was universally used in all large new buildings, and was
rapidly being introduced into the old buildings belonging to large
establishments. M ost o f the cotton-manufacturing establishments
reported from the Southern States were handsome new buildings,
well ventilated and lighted. Many o f them were built where an
abundance o f fresh air could be secured at all seasons o f the year.
They were situated on high ground on the outskirts o f a town or quite
in the country, with woods near at hand. The factory laws in other
States aim to secure a certain level o f excellence in sanitary arrange
ments, which was found to be generally realized in the establishments
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
507
visited, and surpassed in many new buildings. But while it may
truly be said that an ever-increasing number o f working people o f all
ages are perform ing their labor in surroundings far better than was
considered good enough a few years ago, there are still many, including
children, who are working in places which are neither wholesome nor
safe. Even in the South, where so much is new, there were many old
mills, survivals from the beginning o f the cotton industry, when cheap
construction and old machinery were thought to be economical. Some
o f these mills were situated on low ground in the most crowded parts
o f the towns.
Many long-established industries in other parts o f
the country were housed in old, insanitary buildings which were per
mitted to remain without alteration because o f the expense required
to bring them up to modern standards. Private residences in large
cities, and other buildings not originally intended for manufacturing
purposes, had been turned into small factories with little or no alter
ation to adapt them to their new uses. In many such places children
were found employed.
The safety of buildings depends in part upon the ease and quick
ness with which employees can escape from them in case o f fire.
W hile most o f the buildings o f the manufacturing establishments
reported appeared to be amply equipped with means fo r extinguishing
fires, many were not provided with outside fire escapes, or those which
they had were inadequate. Thus many large buildings had one fire
escape only, and this consisted merely o f a ladder connecting with a
window in each story. This ladder was usually of iron, but that on
one large building in which many children were working was o f wood.
Many large buildings which had no outside fire escapes were equipped
with broad inside stairways built in halls separated by thick walls o f
stone or brick from the rest o f the building. This construction, which
was considered to answer all the purposes o f outside fire escapes, pre
vailed in the South, and was also found in Pennsylvania and other
States. The location o f fire escapes in some establishments was indicated
by large signs suspended from the ceilings. In some buildings provided
with fire escapes the inside stairs were faulty, the steps were worn or
narrow, or the ascent steep. A cotton factory in Massachusetts was
equipped with a spiral iron stairway, so steep that it was neces
sary while descending to walk with the greatest care on the outer
edge to keep from falling. In a paper box factory in New Jersey a
flight o f stairs much used by the employees was built against an incline
and was little better than a ladder. The wooden steps o f a flight o f
stairs in an iron and steel factory in Pennsylvania were worn round
and made slippery with grease. T o reach a factory occupying the
upper floors o f an old building in New Y ork City where six children
were employed it was necessary to ascend in almost complete darkness
four flights o f steep wooden stairs, the steps o f which were worn
uneven by long usage.
508
BULLETIN OE THE BtjREAtT OE LABOR.
The provisions fo r the com fort o f employees in most o f the textile
factories reported were rather meager. New buildings were generally
equipped with commodious and well-ventilated lavatories, which were
also occasionally found in old buildings, having been put in recently,
but the closets in the average textile factory were ill-ventilated affairs
which often opened directly from the workrooms and, although sep
arate fo r the sexes, were built side by side, with adjoining entrances.
Effort was usually made to keep them clean (in some mills they were
scrubbed daily), but the parts o f the room near the closets were seldom
free from an offensive odor. Washing facilities in the average textile
factory consisted o f one or two sinks placed in the workroom or in
the alcove adjoining the closets. No towels were provided. Dressing
rooms were found in some establishments, but as a rule none were
provided. The outside wraps and street clothing o f the operatives
hung upon hooks placed between the windows in the workrooms.
Except in two silk mills no lunch rooms were provided in any o f the
textile factories. Those who carried their dinners, or had them
brought to them, ate wherever convenient, often sitting on the floor.
The seats provided, usually stools or waste boxes covered over that
they might be used as stools, or rude benches, were too few to accom
modate all who might want to use them during the noon hour. In a
few spinning rooms where women were employed boxes o f geraniums
and other flowering plants occupied the sills o f sunny windows. A s a
rule the workroom o f the average textile factory was not an attract
ive place in which to spend ten or eleven hours a day. The bare walls
were often stained and grim y and the floors covered with the rubbish
o f work. But the operator working in the midst o f a forest of
machines, his ears filled with their incessant din, probably cares little
fo r the appearance o f walls or floor. Occasionally a mill was delight
fully clean. Pains was taken to have the sweeping well done, women
were employed to scrub halls and closets, the stains o f tobacco juice
were carefully removed from the walls, which were kept spotlessly
white, and the rooms were large and not overcrowded with machinery.
In such a mill the atmosphere on a hot day seemed cool and refreshing
to one entering from the scorching sunshine.
In the factories connected with the garment industry, and in the cigar
factories, department stores, and other establishments where large num
bers o f women and girls are employed, dressing rooms and lunch rooms
are usually provided, in addition to the necessary toilet rooms and clos
ets. In some cases the character o f the accommodations was found to
be excellent, but more often much is left to be desired. In many fac
tories dressing rooms were found consisting o f tiny closets, or merely a
corner curtained off from the workroom , in others large rooms filled
with lockers and sometimes having an attendant in charge o f wraps were
found. Some department stores and factories were provided with rest
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
509
rooms for the women and girls, and a trained nurse stood ready to care
fo r any taken suddenly ill while at work. In some lunch rooms hot
drinks and sandwiches were sold to the employees at low prices. Fre
quently the same apartment served for both lunch room and dressing
room. Outside wraps were hung upon the walls, while the space in the
center was occupied by a long table, uncovered, with benches on either
side, where the women and girls sat and ate the dinners they had brought
with them from home. In most o f the cigar and tobacco factories
reported lunch rooms were provided, but in one establishment not only
were there no lunch rooms but employees were forbidden to eat in
the workrooms, in many o f which signs to this effect were posted. A t
the noon hour most o f the employees, who were colored people, were
sent out o f the building and the doors locked. They made the best of
the situation, and groups o f men, women, and children were to be seen
sitting on the bare ground with their backs against the brick walls of
the building eating their simple lunches. The building was in the
center o f a town; there was no grass in the neighborhood, or even
shade. Those not occupying the ground congregated in near-by
saloons and restaurants.
Many o f the conditions affecting the com fort and health o f work- •
ing people, especially children, were due to the nature o f the indus
try in which they were employed and to the demands o f their
occupations. Such conditions were the dust which comes from the
materials used in production, excessive heat or cold incidental to pro
duction, contact with poisons, continuous standing required by the
nature o f the work, and operating dangerous machinery. Injurious
dust occurs in a variety o f forms in many industries. In the manu
facture o f cotton a fine lint is constant^ separating from the fiber and
filling the air. In picker rooms, where the formation o f this lint is
greatest, dust boxes connected with, exhaust fans are usually provided
fo r carrying it off. A strong draft in some halls acts to draw off the
lint from other rooms. In many factories, upon entering the spinning
room, where most o f the children were employed, the presence o f lint
in the atmosphere was not at once perceived, but evidence o f it was soon
discovered in the rolls o f cotton on the floor, in the piles in corners, and
in the fine dust collecting on the machinery. The girls who were attend
ing the spinning frames were constantly wiping the upper parts o f the
machines with pieces o f cloth or brushes; sometimes boys went through
the aisles flapping cloths in such a way that the dust collected on the
under parts o f the frames was blown off. The frames may have been
cleaned by this method, but the dust removed was sent where it could
easily find its way into the throats and lungs o f the young cleaners.
Boys were usually employed to sweep out the rolls o f waste collecting
under the frames and in other parts o f the rooms. They were often
seen perform ing this task in a manner which would shock the most
510
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR.
indifferent and untidy o f housekeepers. The broom was wielded with
as much o f an upward fling as possible so that much o f the dust and
rubbish was thrown into the air to fall again upon frames and floor.
Occasionally a boy, tired o f the monotony o f the mill and need
ing exercise, would swing his broom in a great circle, sweeping the
floor at its lowest point and thus pass up and down the aisles, envel
oping himself and the girls at the frames in clouds o f dust. Although
sweeping is in reality a difficult task to do well, in the South it
was usually given to the youngest boys, and the appearance o f the
rooms bore witness to the slovenly manner in which it was performed.
In some mills colored women were employed for this work, with
results which could not have failed to be more satisfactory both to
employer and operatives. The dust was always apparent in the atmos
phere o f carding rooms and in most weaving rooms. The humidifiers,
used to moisten the atmosphere by throwing out an exceedingly fine
spray o f water, helped to lay the dust, but they were not always in
operation. New mills were usually better equipped for protection
against an injurious quantity o f lint in the atmosphere than old ones,
but in one large mill in a Southern State, built within the last ten
years and claimed to be equipped with the latest improvements, in
which over 250 children were employed, the quantity o f dust in the
atmosphere in spinning and carding rooms was unusually great. W ork
was going on rapidly and everybody was busy. The rooms were
crowded with machinery and the air was close and heavy, although many
o f the windows were open. The manager accounted for the dust on
the ground o f the large production in progress. Quantities of lint are
created in the manufacture o f flax and hemp, especially in the process
called hackling. In one establishment visited 35 boys were found
feeding hackling machines. They were standing in a cloud o f dust,
bathed in perspiration, and were so hoarse that it was almost impossi
ble to understand them when they spoke. In factories manufacturing
wadding for use in the garment trade there was much lint in the card
ing rooms, also in rooms where the pads were trimmed.
The atmosphere in bottle factories was full o f fine particles o f glass.
In factories where furniture and wooden boxes were manufactured
there was much dust from the material used. In a cork factory dust was
produced by the process o f tapering. Much o f it was removed by
mechanical means, but enough remained to settle in a fine powder on
everything in the room. In a soap factory there was much dust from
the soap in the cutting room. In another, where a washing powder
was made, 21 boys engaged in filling boxes with the material were
working in a cloud o f dust. Their eyelids were inflamed and many
o f them had handkerchiefs or rags tied over their mouths.
The boys employed as slate pickers in the breakers connected with
the anthracite coal mines in Pennsylvania were working in the midst
CHILD LABOB IN THE UNITED STATES.
511
o f quantities o f coal dust. These breakers are lofty structures of
wood and iron, about 100 feet high, in which the coal is crushed and
prepared fo r market. The coal is hoisted in cars from the mine to
the top o f the breaker where it is dumped into a crusher from which
it passes downward oyer a slide into the pockets below. In its dow n
ward passage the coal is inspected by boys and men who sit on boards
placed across the slides, and bending over pick out the slate. In the
breakers visited much o f the dust caused by the crushers is drawn
off by fans, but in bad weather, when the atmosphere is damp, so
much remains that the space about the pickers is darkened by it, and
those nearest the crushers are obliged to use miners’ lamps in order
to do their work.
A few o f the factories visited were equipped with plants which
not only heat the atmosphere in winter but cool it in summer.
Electric fans also were occasionally seen in workrooms. As a rule,
however, the temperature in warm weather was what nature and the
incidents o f the industry made it. Rooms were often too warm or too
cold, owing to the requirements o f the work done in them. The air
in cotton and worsted mills was always found warm and moist. It
was usually overheated in mule spinning rooms and often exceedingly
close. The men and boys employed there wore the smallest possible
amount o f clothing. In bleaching and dyeing establishments boys
who were employed to guide the cloth over hot cans and shake the
long laps suspended from the rafters in drying rooms worked in an ex
ceedingly high temperature. The tending boys in the glass factories
were subjected to the heat o f the great furnaces from which the blowers
get their supplies o f molten glass. Some o f these boys were opening
and shutting molds for the blowers, others were conveying by means
o f a tool called a “ snap” the hot bottles to the finishers, and others
were carrying them to the lehrs or annealing ovens. The mold boys
sat directly in front o f the furnace openings at the feet o f the blowers
where the hot blasts o f air fell directly upon them, and the snappers
stood close by. The carrying boys, who were moving to and fro,
escaped the direct effects o f the hot air, but they were working
rapidly. A ll were perspiring freely. Many o f the buildings were
wooden structures so loosely built that they afforded the workers
little protection from drafts in severe weather. Often it was fiery
hot near the furnace but icy cold a few feet off and to one side. In
rolling mills the heat from the hot metal was intense and stifling.
In some establishments children were exposed to wetness. Flax is
often spun wet, and silk is wound wet. In the flax-spinning rooms
visited the girls were barefooted, or wore rubbers to protect them
selves from the wet floors. In the bleacheries boys nearly naked,
their only garment being a pair o f short trousers, were trampling
cloth in deep vats; others guided the wet cloth coming continuously
512
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
into a bleaching room so that it fell in laps on the pile upon which
they stood. Not only was the cloth wet, but the atmosphere in these
rooms was exceedingly damp. The floors in the bottling department
o f the breweries were very wet. The boys in one establishment wore
rubber boots, in another they had on wooden shoes, which were con
sidered better, as they also protected their feet from the broken glass
on the floor.
In some industries children were brought in contact with chemical
poisons through their occupations. In furniture factories boys were
employed as varnishers, and thus compelled to breathe turpentine
fumes. In a wall-paper factory and in a cloth-printing establishment
boys were feeding coloring matter into machines, thus coming in
contact with the various poisons in its composition. In a factory for
the manufacture o f materials fo r artificial flowers boys were dipping
forms into vats filled with coloring matter. The whole subject of
insanitary conditions in factory labor, arising out of the nature o f the
industry' and the materials used, is one o f very grave importance, as
affecting the welfare not only o f children, but o f working people o f
all ages. Its special importance in the case o f children arises out o f
the greater susceptibility o f the young to all form s o f disease. It is a
subject which should receive the careful attention o f scientists.
Children suffer from the demands which their occupations make
upon their physical strength. They are seldom given tasks which
require a great deal o f skill, or, if the mere motions are considered,
much strength. It is the continuous repetition o f simple movements
during many hours, and the standing or being constantly upon the
feet that taxes the power o f endurance o f children. In the textile
manufacturing establishments visited the children attending spinning,
spooling, twisting, and winding frames were upon their feet most o f
the time while at work. Their duties seldom involved more than
tying the ends o f broken threads, but they were obliged to pass up and
down before their machines continually, keeping their eyes upon the
hundreds o f m oving threads, in order to detect and mend a break the
instant it occurred. In the Southern States girls were employed in
these occupations; elsewhere boys were found at the spinning frames
almost as often as girls. I f the work u runs w ell” — i. e., the threads
show little disposition to break, a circumstance which depends partly
upon the humidity o f the atmosphere and partly upon the quality of
the roving, the spinner gets an opportunity to sit down. Seats of
some kind were provided in some o f the spinning rooms. Stools
were generally found in the mills in Massachusetts, but elsewhere the
seats were more often waste boxes finished with covered tops, contain
ing openings through which to put in the waste. In a mill in a South
ern State these waste boxes were so high that the feet even o f large
spinners did not reach the floor when they sat upon them. This mill
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
513
was visited late in the afternoon when everybody was tired. The
main aisle in the spinning room presented a strange picture; at the
head o f nearly every machine sat a small girl leaning wearily against
it, her feet dangling in the air. Other little girls were seen in the
cross aisles watching their u sides,” for the frames were all running.
W hether or not seats were provided in the spinning rooms they
were almost always found in the weaving rooms. Other children
reported who were standing at their tasks were boys working at
benches in metal-working establishments; boys and girls performing
a variety o f operations in boot and shoe factories; children, usually
boys, employed to pass work to machine operators and take it away;
boys employed in bottling works to pass along bottles to be filled;
boys employed to fill, label, wrap^ and otherwise put up packages;
Negroes o f both sexes employed as stemmers in tobacco factories,
also white boys employed as taggers and weighers; boys employed in
furniture and wooden-box factories, and many others. Many piece
workers, engaged upon tasks w h ici could be done sitting, although
provided with seats, were standing because they could do the work
faster. Children are often required not only to be on their feet but
to be moving rapidly from place to place a greater part o f the time.
The cash boys and girls in department stores had usually a place to sit
provided for them, but they were walking or running most o f the
time; and the messengers and office boys in large manufacturing
establishments, the carriers who distributed work and ran errands in
some clothing factories, the doffers in cotton and worsted mills, and
the carrying boys in glass factories were moving about constantly
while at work. The latter, engaged in rapidly conveying hot bottles
upon the bowls o f long-handled shovel-like carriers, would occasion
ally collide with one another causing severe burns. Such collisions
were more apt to happen during the hours after midnight when the
boys were too sleepy to guide their movements properly.
Many o f the occupations at which children were found employed
required sitting.
Some o f these occupations were bunch making,
cigar rolling and stemming in cigar factories, leaf picking in tobacco
factories, and most o f the occupations o f children in clothing factories.
Girls were usually employed at these occupations. M ost o f the occupa
tions connected with putting up packages fo r the market do not require
sitting, but where girls were employed seats were provided. In some
establishments the seats provided had backs, but this was not usually
the case. In an establishment in which coffee was cleaned and roasted
21 boys and girls under 16 years o f age and nearly as many more
young people over that age, but under 21 years, were employed to pick
by hand imperfect beans and foreign matter from the coffee. They
were seated on long benches without backs before tables piled with
the coffee. They sat up very straight and worked steadily under the
8674—No. 52— 04-----3
514
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
constant oversight o f foremen and forewomen. The children were
relieved from the strain o f this occupation b y being marched in squads
two or three times a day to the toilet rooms.
Much o f the work o f the children, easy in itself, becomes exhausting,
because perform ed at a high rate o f speed. There are several ways
by which children are forced or encouraged to work rapidly. One
is by working them in gangs. This was the case with the doffers in
cotton and worsted mills. The doffer takes full bobbins from the
spindles of a spinning or twisting frame and puts empty ones in their
places. The movements are simple, but are performed with marvel
ous quickness by the children who, while making them, are stooping
to the level o f the spindles. When a frame is ready to be doffed it is
attacked by a gang o f boys or girls, who place themselves before the
frame, each a short distance from his next neighbor, and each must
keep up with the others, so that all may finish their parts at the same
moment. Thus the frame is doffed and ready again for the spinner
in a very short space o f time. The gang then goes to another frame,
and then another, until all are doffed. A fter this follows a period o f
idleness, for it will be some time before the bobbins are again full and
the frames ready for another doffing. In some o f the mills a part, at
least, o f this idle time is utilized by putting the children to some
simple task at which they can sit, as stripping or cutting waste from
bobbins, or employing them as sweepers, but usually other children
are employed especially fo r these tasks. Doffers were seen spending
their idle time lounging on benches provided fo r them at the end o f
the rooms. A t some Southern mills they were found out o f doors at
play. In spite o f idle time, the work o f doffing in a cotton mill was
considered to be more taxing than spinning. In the South boys were
almost universally used for this work; in Northern mills about as many
girls as boys were found, but the average age was higher. In worsted
mills the girl doffers were much more numerous than the boy doffers,
but they did not carry their bobbins. Other children, usually boys,
called bobbin setters, were employed fo r this purpose. They placed
empty bobbins on the frames where they could easily be reached by
the doffers, who in doffing, placed them upon the spindles, putting
full bobbins in their places. The bobbin setters then gathered up and
carted away the full bobbins. Children were forced to work rapidly,
by being worked in teams with skilled workmen— adults— who -were
piece workers. In glass bottle factories usually three tending boys
worked with one blower and one finisher. The latter were piece
workers, and set the pace. Some blowers occasionally fee their mold
boys and snappers, so much do their own earnings depend upon the
faithfulness o f these little helpers. The girls who helped the sewingmachine operators by trimming off the loose threads at the ends o f
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
515
seams, were obliged to work quickly to keep up with the steady flow
o f garments coming into their hands. In the same way when work
was delivered by machinery a speed was set fo r the workers.
Probably the greatest incentive to rapid work is payment by the
piece. Many o f the children employed in the establishments reported
were piece workers. The spoolers, weavers, and drawers-in in cotton
and worsted factories, and the toppers and knitters in knitting mills
were piece workers. In boot and shoe factories many o f the occupa
tions were paid fo r by the piece, but only a small proportion o f the
children were employed at these occupations. In cigar factories the
chief occupations, such as stripping, bunch making, and cigar rolling
were piecework, but many o f the children engaged at these occupations
were employed by the day. Labeling, wrapping, and packing goods
fo r the market was usually piecework. In establishments where blank
books, bolts and rivets, brushes, corks, electrical supplies, furniture,
paper boxes and bags, and soap were made children were employed as
piece workers in some o f the occupations. Possibly the most arduous
piecework that children were found engaged upon was that o f ope
rating sewing machines in clothing factories. Although employers
claimed that they did not intend to employ any children under 16 years
o f age at this work, many young girls were found.
Children were not often found operating dangerous machinery,
yet many were employed about such machinery as helpers to the
operators. A few, however, were operating stamping, cutting, and
punching machines, some o f whom bore on their persons evidences of
injuries they had sustained, usually mutilation o f the fingers. A
greater danger came from the presence o f children in rooms where
machinery was in operation. Cases o f accident were met with due to
the playfulness o f the children. In spinning rooms doffer boys chase
each other up and down the aisles when the overseer’s back is turned,
and occasionally run into the machines and get hurt. One little girl
pushed her companion into a frame, so that her hand was caught and
injured sufficiently to keep her from work several days. Children
were rarely employed to clean machinery while running, such employ
ment being forbidden by law in many States. One case, however, was
reported where a boy had been ordered to brush the chain head o f a
spinning frame while it was in motion, and while doing so his arm was
caught in the gearing and torn in such a manner that he will never
have the full use o f it again.
Only a few statements are made here in regard to the moral influences
which are brought into the lives o f children through empJoyment.
Instances were found where parents excused themselves fo r putting
their children to w ork on the ground that they wished to keep them off
the streets. W hile this motive was o f course combined with another,
516
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
there is no doubt that many parents were sincere in considering that
for moral influence a factory or other place o f employment was prefer
able to the public thoroughfare, especially in large cities. On the other
hand, many parents frankly admitted that the influence o f factory life on
their children was bad and that they learned much from their associates
that was to be regretted. Complaints were sometimes made o f the rough
language, seasoned with profanity, which overseers addressed to them.
Instances o f severity and injustice were met with in visits to establish
ments. On the other hand places were visited, usually large concerns,
where the just and considerate character o f the manager raised the tone
o f the whole establishment. Also employers were seen whose kindly
and easy-going temper permitted an amount o f loafing and disorder
among their employees that impressed one in anything but a favorable
light. Certain conditions were observed unfavorable to morality. One
was the failure to secure in the average factory the proper privacy of
the sexes. Closets, though separate, were so placed in relation to each
other and the workroom that they were in full view o f persons of both
sexes working in their vicinity. W omen were rarely provided with
retiring rooms where they could put on and take off the outer garments
they wore in the factory. The idle time o f boys whose work was not
continuous was usually spent in a way possibly more unfavorable to
their moral growth than the labor they performed was to their physical
development. Children are very ready to imitate their elders; thus the
association o f boys with men often leads them to adopt the habit o f using
tobacco at an age when they are most susceptible to its evil effects.
A t a glass factory many o f the boys coming from work were observed
to have cigarettes or pipes in their mouths. “ They pick that up very
soon,” the overseer remarked. A t a brewery beer was given away not
only to the adult employees, but to the boys and girls, the boys receiv
ing 1 pint and the girls half a pint every noon and evening. Children
at work often appear older than they really are. Childhood with them
seems to end at the beginning o f labor. “ They are no longer children
after they g o to w ork,” a teacher remarked in speaking o f the boys in
the glass factories. Important and sometimes burdensome duties are
required o f children; they must be careful while at work not to get
hurt, and they must give close attention to a simple but continuous
series o f movements. A ll this is a check upon the careless ways o f
childhood. There is no longer opportunity for freedom o f motion;
there is no longer that absence o f responsibility which makes the young
keep young.
W O R K IN G CH ILD REN .
As already stated 1,381 children who were found at work were made
subjects o f special inquiry. These children were found in the different
States comprehended in this study, as follows:
517
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN EACH STATE WHO WERE MADE SUBJECTS OF SPECIAL STUDY.
Children.
State.
Massachusetts........................................
Rhode Islan d..........................................
New Y ork................................................
New Jersey.............................................
Pennsylvania..........................................
Maryland . __
North Carolina.......................................
South C arolina......................................
State.
Children.
Georgia....................................................
Alabam a.........+ .....................................
Wisconsin...............................................
Illin ois....................................................
Missouri..................................................
76
78
122
135
315
67
98
97
105
41
53
122
72
T ota l.............................................
1,381
These children were employed in the establishments reported in
Tables I, II, and III, except in the follow ing cases: (1) A bout 50
children who were employed in establishments visited and afterwards
excluded from the tables because o f failure to obtain complete infor
mation from them. Some o f these children were employed in indus
tries which are represented in the table by other establishments, some
were employed in industries not represented at all. O f the latter
class are 7 boys who were employed in the telegraph and messenger
service in New Y ork City, 7 in the same service in Philadelphia, and 22
boys who were employed in 2 bituminous coal mines in Illinois. (2) A
few children who were employed in establishments not visited. These
children were brothers or sisters o f other children reported who were
employed in establishments visited. (3) Seventeen children reported
for New Y ork who were not employed in any establishment, but were
working at home finishing garments for tailors.
N A T IV IT Y AND N A TIO N ALITY OF WORKING CHILDREN.
The nativity o f the children reported is shown by the following
table, which gives the number born in the States where they were
found employed, in other parts o f the United States, and in foreign
countries, by States:
NATIVITY OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY STATES.
Number bom in—
Per
cent
of
State Other
All Total. chil
in
Italy Rus other
places Can Great Ire
Ger
Aus
dren
in
which
Brit
and
for
em United ada. ain. land. many. tria. Sicily. sia. coun
tries.
eign
ployed States.
bom .
State.
Massachusetts..
Rhode Island. . .
New York..........
New Jersey.......
Pennsylvania.. .
Maryland..........
North Carolina .
South Carolina..
Georgia..............
Alabama............
W isconsin.........
Illinois...............
Missouri............
39
47
77
5
7
8
271
61
81
61
92
17
9
4
17
36
13
21
20
40
90
52
5
9
14
100
6
6
3
5
7
s
1
5
7
9
1
2
1
3
2
10
18
5
7
1
1
8
4
6
a 16
b2
cl
<23
eS
2
8
1
7
1
3
2
5
1
5
1
f 3
a Including 9 bom in the Azores, 5 in Greece, and 2 in Syria.
&Including 1 bom in the Azores and 1 in Roumania.
c Bom in Roumania.
d Born in France.
e Including 1 bom in Belgium, 1 in France, and.l nativity not reported.
/ Including 1 bom in Belgium, 1 in Norway, and 1 in Switzerland.
76
78
122
135
315
67
98
97
105
41
53
122
72
42.1
30.8
30.3
13.3
11.1
3.0
15.1
18.9
8.3
518
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
The column o f percentages shows what proportion of the children
were foreign horn. Thus, the percentages o f foreign born were 42.1
per cent for Massachusetts, 30.8 per cent fo r Rhode Island, and 30.3
per cent for New Y ork, while only 8.3 and 3 per cent, respectively,
are shown fo r Missouri and Maryland. None o f the children reported
fo r North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama were o f this
class.
The nativity o f children is not a complete indication o f their nation
ality. It is necessary, also, to consider the nativity o f their parents.
The first o f the two tables which follow gives, by States, the number
o f children reported whose fathers were born in the States where the
children were found employed, in other parts o f the United States,
and in foreign countries; the second shows in a similar manner the
nativity o f the mothers o f the children reported.
NATIVITY OF FATHERS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY STATES.
Number of children whose fathers were bom in—
State.
Massachusetts ..
Rhode Island. . .
New Y ork..........
New Jersey.......
Pennsylvania...
Maryland..........
North Carolina..
South Carolina..
Georgia..............
Alabama............
Wisconsin..........
Illinois...............
Missouri............
State
in
which
child
is em
ploy
ed.
Per
cent of
chil
Other
dren
All Total. whose
places
Italy Rus other
Can Great
Ger
Aus
fath
in
Ire
and
Unit ada. Brit
ers are
ain. land. many. tria. Sicily. sia. coun
ed
tries.
for
States.
eign
bom .
5
10
23
29
69
46
75
53
69
10
4
5
17
2
6
1
14
9
15
12
5
i
15
9
12
15
37
6
23
44
30
31
3
5
16
13
1
1
1
1
9
26
78
4
16
15
56
5
3
3
13
13
42
52
16
20
8
8
3
4
14
34
11
23
2
1
12
4
29
/4
2
2
a 18
b4
c5
<218
«5
7
6
1
9
4
3
17
99
76
78
122
135
315
67
98
97
105
41
53
122
72
90.8
79.5
80.3
68.1
75.2
22.4
5.7
86.8
91.8
54.2
« Including 11 children whose fathers were bom in the Azores, 5 in Greece, and 2 in Syria.
b Including 3 children whose fathers were born in the Azores and 1 in Roumania.
c Including 1 child whose father was bom in Roumania, 3 in-Sweden, and 1 in Switzerland.
d Including 1 child whose father was bom in Belgium, 3 in France, 12 in Holland, and 2 not
reported.
e Including 1 child whose father was bom in Belgium, 2 in France, 1 in Switzerland, and 1 not
reported.
/N ativity of fathers not reported.
(/Including 2 children whose fathers were bom in Belgium, 1 in France, 1 in Holland, 1 in Norway,
3 in Sweden, and 1 in Switzerland.
519
CHILD LABOB IN THE UNITED STATES.
NATIVITY OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY STATES.
Number of children whose mothers were born in—
State.
Massachusetts ..
Rhode Islan d...
New York..........
New Jersey.......
Pennsylvania...
Maryland..........
North Carolina..
South Carolina..
Georgia..............
Alabama............
Wisconsin..........
Illinois...............
Missouri............
State
in
which
child
is em
ploy
ed.
Per
cent of
chil
Other
dren
places
All Total. whose
Italy Rus other
in
Can Great
Ger
Ire
Aus
moth
and
Unit ada. Brit
ers
ain. land. many. tria. Sicily. sia. coun
ed
tries.
are for
States.
eign
bom .
5
4
13
6
8
6
12
25
27
89
45
79
62
15
17
9
9
19
35
16
26
6
11
6
6
24
16
86
5
2
16
15
12
6
12
11
46
7
3
16
28
51
5
1
1
11
12
1
1
7
5
4
14
34
H
2
1
12
6
55
5
8
21
29
3
i
16
1
2
1
39
48
H
13
14
3
9
4
«18
b4
©5
d 17
©5
>9
76
78
122
135
315
67
98
97
105
41
53
122
72
88.2
82.1
74.6
67.4
68 ! 9
19.4
2.9
77.4
86 1
44.4
o Including 11 children whose mothers were bom in the Azores, 5 in Greece, and 2 in Syria.
b Including 3 children whose mothers were born in the Azores, and 1 in Roumania.
©Including 1 child whose mother was born in Roumania, 3 in Sweden, and 1 in Switzerland.
d Including 1 child whose mother was bom in Belgium, 3 in France, 11 in Holland, and 2 not
reported.
©Including 1 child whose mother was born in Belgium, 2 in France, 1 in Switzerland, and 1 not
reported.
j Including 2 children whose mothers were born in Belgium, 1 in France, 1 in Holland, 1 in Norway,
3 in Sweden, and 1 in Switzerland.
The above tables show that the proportion o f children having foreignborn parents is much greater than the proportion o f foreign-born chil
dren. In Illinois 91.8 per cent o f the children reported had foreignborn fathers, in Massachusetts 90.8 per cent, and in Wisconsin 86.8
percen t, while in Maryland and Georgia but 22.4 and 5.7 per cent,
respectively, had foreign-born fathers. None o f the children reported
for North and South Carolina and Alabama had foreign-born fathers.
The information concerning children with foreign-born mothers is
similar to that concerning those with foreign-born fathers, the per
centages, however, being several points lower for each State except
Rhode Island.
It will be seen from the information given by these tables that
practically none o f the children living in the four Southern States,
that only 22 per cent o f those living in Maryland, and from more
than 50 per cent to more than 90 per cent o f those living in the
remaining eight States were o f foreign nationality. In most cases the
country o f the parents’ nativity indicates the nationality o f the chil
dren reported in these tables, but the children o f parents born in
Russia are without exception Jews, many o f the children o f parents
born in Germany are Poles, a few o f the children of parents born in
Austria are Hungarians and Bohemians, and most of the children o f
parents born in Canada are French Canadian. No colored children
are included in the numbers reported.
520
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
AGES OF W ORKING CHILDREN.
By visiting the parents of individual children it was possible to
learn not only the present ages o f these children but also the ages at
which they began to work. This information is given, by States, in
the two tables which follow :
AGES OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS, AT DATE OF INVESTIGATION, BY STATES.
Number of children who were at date of investigation—
8 or un 9 or un 10 or
12 or
11 or
13 or
14 or
15 or
der 9 der 10 under under under under under under Total.
years of years of 11 years 12 years 13 years 14 years 15 years 16 years
State.
age.
age.
Massachusetts......................
Rhode Island........................
New Y ork ............................
New Jersey...........................
Pennsylvania......................
M aryland............................
North Carolina....................
South Carolina....................
Georgia.................................
A labam a..............................
Wisconsin......................... ..
Illinois.................................
Missouri................................
of age. of age. of age. of age. of age. of age.
1
2
4
4
1
1
1
10
1
1
14
3
13
14
9
15
17
16
7
17
24
7
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
15
15
6
2
16
7
18
87
16
26
16
16
9
5
7
1
12
11
1
36
16
50
59
117
23
19
13
16
4
34
54
28
40
32
55
41
94
17
16
15
16
5
12
67
24
76
78
122
135
315
67
98
97
105
41
53
122
72
CHILDREN OF EACH SPECIFIED AGE UNDER 16 YEARS, WHEN FIRST EMPLOYED, BY
STATES.
Number of children who were when first employed—
State.
Massachusetts.......
Rhode Island.........
New Y o rk ..............
New Jersey............
Pennsylvania.......
M aryland..............
North Carolina___
South Carolina___
Georgia...................
A labam a...............
W isconsin..............
Illin ois...................
Missouri.................
9 or
8 or
under
Under under
10
years years
of age. 9
of age. of
age.
8 years
10 or 11 or
12 or
14 or
15 or
Age Total.
under under under 13 or
under under under not re
12
11
13
years 15 years 16 years port
years years years 14
of age. of age. of age. of age. of age. of age. ed.
2
1
ai
2
2
3
56
13
«8
a4
10
6
6
18
17
c2
20
4
5
3
7
3
33
23
20
8
1
3
14
18
14
9
22
21
10
1
2
2
35
7
28
54
18
14
9
21
4
20
24
35
165
23
3
6
8
6
4
3
16
2
6
16
17
61
16
72
45
58
9
1
1
4
7
76
78
6
7
9
4
2
4
1
1
1
1
32
91
31
1
23
4
122
135
315
67
98
97
105
41
53
122
i
72
a Seven years old.
&Including 1 child 6 years old and 5 children 7 years old.
o Including 1 child '6 years old and 1 child 7 years old.
The first table shows that at the time when the States were visited
for the purposes o f this study children under 10 years of age were at
work in New Y ork, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, and Alabama; that children under 12 years o f age were at
work in these States and in New Jersey and Missouri, and that except
in Massachusetts children under 14 years o f age were at work in all
the States. O f the children reported under 14 years of age for New
Y ork 13 were working at home helping their mothers or older mem
bers o f their families to finish garments fo r tailors. This industry
was not included in the provisions o f the child labor law, which pro
hibited the employment o f children under 14 years o f age in manu
facturing and mercantile establishments.
The principal fact shown by the second table is that in States where
521
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
there has been in the past practically no restriction o f child labor, chil
dren have commenced work at a very early age. Many of the children
reported in this table for North and South Carolina, Georgia, and
Alabama began to work at 7 years o f age or under 10 years of age.
Some o f the children reported fo r each o f the other States began to
work below what is now the legal age for that State. In many cases
work was not begun in the State in which they were found at work,
also in many cases children began to work in industries or occupations
not covered by the laws relating to child labor. Thus, o f the 8 children
reported fo r Massachusetts who began to work under the age o f 14
years, 3 began in cotton factories in England, and o f these 2 began at
11 years o f age and were “ half timers,” i. e., they worked according
to the English system— spending half the day in the factory and attend
ing school the other half. O f the remaining 5 who began to work
before they were 14 years old, 1 began in a boot and shoe factory in
Brooklyn at 12 years o f age, 1 began in a knitting factory in Massa
chusetts and worked three weeks during the summer vacation preced
ing her fourteenth birthday, stopped when school began, and did not
g o to work again until o f legal age; 2 others began in department
stores in Boston, and 1 worked fo r two years after school and Saturda}7s as errand boy for a grocer.
SCHOOLING AND LITERACY OF W ORKING CHILDREN.
One o f the strongest arguments against child labor is that it deprives
the child o f an education by substituting for time which might be spent
at school long hours o f monotonous toil, the effect o f which is to arrest
rather than to stimulate the progressive development o f his faculties.
Information was obtained in regard to the attendance o f the children
reported at school before they began to work, their attendance after
they began to work, and the number able to read and write the Eng
lish language. The following table gives the number o f children who
had attended school before beginning work, by specified periods o f
time and by States:
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BEFORE BEGINNING WORK OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF
AGE, BY STATES.
Children having attended—
State.
Massachusetts .
Rhode Island..
New Y ork.........
New Jersey___
Pennsylvania..
Maryland.........
North Carolina
South Carolina.
Georgia............
Alabama..........
Wisconsin.........
Illinois..............
Missouri..........
Total
chil
dren.
76
78
Num
ber not
Less 1 year 3 years 5 years 8 years Attend having
ance
than or less or less or less
or
at
1 year. than 3. than 5. than 8 . more. not re tended.
ported.
5
1
135
315
67
m
97
105
41
53
122
72
2
15
4
122
2
9
16
21
7
5
50
37
44
14
1
5
11
8
22
14
20
18
16
8
1
2
9
23
53
60
101
264
44
3
9
42
15
33
19
17
3
3
2
1
1
3
2
1
1
12
1
9
4
6
1
1
44
103
60
13
1
1
17
17
7
4
2
11
•
522
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOB.
The term “ year ” as used in this table means a school year, or rather
it means all the schooling that it was possible to obtain within a calen
dar year in the place where the child lived. The school period, of
course, was not the same in all the States. This fact renders the infor
mation given by the table less precise than is desirable. Most o f the
children reported fo r all except the four Southern States were living in
cities or towns having school years o f from nine to ten months and most
o f them had attended school in such cities or towns. On the other hand
most o f the children reported for the four Southern States lived dur
ing the year when they might have attended school in country places
having yearly terms o f from four to seven months only. It is there
fore necessary to remember in considering the information presented
by this table that a year in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Y ork,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mary land, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri
means a period o f from nine to ten months, while in North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama it means a period of from four
to seven months. There were a few children reported from the latter
States who had attended school in towns o f over 8,000 inhabitants,
having schools running eight or nine months, but these were scarcely
5 per cent o f the whole number reported.
The table shows that 12 out o f 98 children in North Carolina, 17 out
o f 97 in South Carolina, 17 out o f 105 in Georgia, and 11 out o f 41 in
Alabama had not attended school at all before beginning work, and that
no larger number than 3 in any o f the other States were reported in
this category; also, that 9 children in North Carolina, 16 in South Caro
lina, 21 in Georgia, and 7 in Alabama had attended school less than 1
year, as against 1 in Rhode Island and none in the remaining States.
O f the children who had attended school, the time o f attendance for the
greatest number in the four Southern States falls between 1 and 3
years; in all the remaining States except Massachusetts the greatest
number falls between 5 and 8 years. In Massachusetts more than half
the children reported had attended school 8 years or more. But
the attendance o f 3 children in Massachusetts, 1 in Rhode Island,
1 in New Jersey, 9 in Pennsylvania, 4 in North Carolina, 7 in W iscon
sin, 4 in Illinois, and 2 in Missouri was not reported.
A ll o f the States included in this report except thfe four Southern
States and Missouri have school-attendance laws which compel children
within specified ages to attend school a certain length of time each
year. This time is the full annual term in these States, except in
Wisconsin, where it is not less than 8 months in cities or less than 5
months elsewhere, and in Illinois, where it is 16 weeks, 6 o f which
must be consecutive. The ages o f compulsory school attendance are
from 7 to 14 in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Illinois; from 7 to 12 in
New Jersey; from 7 to 15 in Rhode Island; and from 8 to 16 in New
Y ork, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. But in Rhode Island, New Y ork,
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
523
Pennsylvania, and Maryland children o f an age to be employed at labor
are exempt. The enforcement o f the compulsory school attendance
provisions o f the New Jersey school law is made to depend upon con
ditions which make it practically voluntary, and it is not enforced in
many o f the important cities o f the State. The law in Maryland
applies only to the city o f Baltimore and to Allegany County. It was
passed in 1902, but attendance officers did not begin to serve until
January 1, 1903. There was therefore no compulsory school attend
ance in the State before the children reported began to work. Although
there is at present no compulsory school-attendance law in the Southern
States investigated, many manufacturers consider the method o f com
pulsory education superior to any other for preventing the employment
of children at too early an age, but at the same time contend that laws
merely restricting their employment under a specified age will prove
to be o f little avail unless reenforced by legal provisions compelling
their attendance at school below that age.
The child-labor laws o f several o f the States require certain educa
tional qualifications for children seeking employment. A t the time
the children reported were visited the Rhode Island law required for a
child seeking employment an attendance at school o f 80 days during
the year preceding his application, the law o f New Y ork required a full
yearly term; that o f New Jersey, 12 weeks; and that o f Pennsylvania,
16 weeks. The laws o f Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Y ork, and
Pennsylvania required an ability to read and write the English lan
guage, but in Massachusetts illiterates could be employed provided they
attended night school. In Missouri boys were required to be able to
read and write in order to be employed in the mines. The child-labor
law o f Rhode Island was amended in April, 1902, all educational
requirements being removed and provisions made that children under
13 years o f age could not be employed at labor except during the vaca
tion o f the schools. The South Carolina law, which went into effect
May 1, 1902, provides that children under the legal age (12 years,
May 1, 1902) may be employed in textile factories during school vaca
tions provided they have attended school 4 months during the year and
can read and write the English language. Important additions were
made to the law in New Y ork in the winter o f 1903, so that now a child
not only must have attended school 160 days during the year previous
to making application fo r a labor certificate, but he must have received
instruction in certain specified branches o f study, viz, reading, writ
ing, English grammar, and geography, and he must be “ familiar with
the fundamental operations o f arithmetic to and including fractions.”
The table gives no information in regard to the kind o f school
attended by the children who attended school before beginning work.
A majority o f the children reported for the Eastern, Middle, and
W estern States attended city public schools, but most o f the Irish,
524
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
French Canadian, German, and Polish children attended parochial
schools a part if not all o f the time during which they were in school.
A few children o f foreign nationality went to private schools kept by
persons o f their own nationality. A few o f the foreign-born children
had attended school in the country from which they came. O f the
children reported for the Southern States, nearly all who had attended
school at all had attended the district schools o f the county in which
they were born. These schools were supported by State money and
called “ free schools” by the country people, to distinguish them from
the “ subscription schools,” which were kept often b y the same teachers
after the public funds had given out, and which were paid for by the
voluntary subscriptions o f farmers in the neighborhood. These sub
scription schools sometimes added two or three months to the length o f
the school term. V ery few , however, o f the children reported had
attended subscription schools, although many told o f such schools
being held near their homes. Usually their parents had felt too poor
to afford the expense. The attendance even upon the free schools
was very irregular. Living on farms, the children were often obliged
to g o long distances, and bad weather was sure to keep them at home.
But the chief reason for irregular attendance, or none at all, was the
indifference o f the parents. Those especially who had had no school
ing themselves failed to appreciate its value and were unwilling to
make sacrifices in order to send their children.
The attendance o f children at school since beginning work is shown
by the follow ing table, which gives the number having attended a
specified number o f months, by States:
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SINCE BEGINNING WORK OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE,
BY STATES.
Number having attended-
State.
Massachusetts...............................................
Rhode Island.................................................
New Y ork ......................................................
New Jersey....................................................
Pennsylvania...............................................
M aryland......................................................
North Carolina.............................................
South Carolina.............................................
Georgia...........................................................
A labam a.......................................................
W isconsin......................................................
Illin ois...........................................................
Missouri.........................................................
Num
ber not
2
11
6
Attend haying
Less months
months ance attend
than 2 or less months
or less
or
not re
ed.
months. than
6 . than 11. more. ported.
3
3
7
37
15
18
5
17
11
6
6
6
2
10
4
32
3
9
12
6
5
6
7
$
16
3
1
2
6
5
4
3
3
1
2
4
3
12
1
4
1
1
51
30
93
53
306
48
64
81
70
30
53
Number
not hav
ing at
tended
either
before or
since be
ginning
work.
1
1
3
2
1
1
g
15
10
4
120
72
In W isconsin and Missouri none o f the children reported had
attended school since beginning work, less than 3 per cent had attended
in Illinois and Pennsylvania; about 16 per cent in South Carolina;
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
525
about 25 per cent in New Y ork and Maryland; about 33 per cent in
Massachusetts, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama; and about 50
per cent in Rhode Island and New Jersey. But the table does not
show whether the schools attended were day schools or night schools.
In the former case the attendance occurred when the child was out o f
employment; in the latter the child was regularly employed during
the day. The schools attended since beginning work were day schools
in Rhode Island, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and A la
bama. They were usually night schools in Massachusetts, New Y ork,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
The large attendance at day schools in Rhode Island was due to the
provision o f the education law in force when the State was visited,
which required all children under 15 years o f age employed at labor
to attend school at least 80 days (about 100 in Providence) unless
excused for specified reasons. This provision was enforced by tru
ant officers who, when the proper time came, would notify employ
ers to discharge those o f their child employees who were due at
school. Thus each child’s year was made up o f seven or eight months
of labor and four or five months o f school. The observance o f this
law, however, was not uniform throughout the State. It was in dis
favor with both manufacturers and school authorities. The latter
claimed that the broken terms o f schooling were o f little advantage
to the children who, after beginning work, lost all interest in their
studies. It was amended, as already stated, soon after the State was
visited for the purposes o f this investigation. Now children can not
begin to work until 13 years o f age. Children 12 years old must
attend school the entire term, and children 13 and 14 years old may
work without interruption.
In New Jersey many children at work were attending night schools.
The law provides that 66No child under the age o f fifteen years shall
be employed * * * in any business whatever, unless such child
shall have attended, within twelve months immediately preceding such
employment, some public day or night school, or some well-recognized
private school.” This law is interpreted to mean that a child must
attend school after he has begun w ork each year until 15 years o f age.
Many employers were requiring children to have certificates o f attend
ance at night school. Some o f the glass companies were paying teachers
to hold school fo r the tending boys. These schools were opened one or
two hours in the afternoon for boys on night work, and at 5 o’clock
or later in the evening fo r boys on day work.
The Massachusetts laws permit persons under 21 and over 14 years o f
age who can not read and write the English language to be employed if
they attend night school. The employers o f these minors are required
to keep on file attendance cards signed by their teachers and to dis
charge anyone whose record falls below a certain standard.
526
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Children in the Southern States not infrequently leave work to
attend school. Usually when laid off because o f slack work or other
cause they spend the idle time at school. Older children often leave
the mill when their younger brothers and sisters are o f an age to be
employed in order to get a few months5schooling for which they have
had no opportunity in the country. W hen the factories are within
city limits the children have the advantage o f city schools. But many
factories were found situated either just beyond the city limits or
altogether in the country, where schools were supported by the State
school fund, apportioned according to the number o f children o f school
age. This fund was rarely sufficient to support a school more than
three or four months in a year, and in some places it could not be used
at all unless the people furnished a building in which the school could
be held. Some manufacturers were found who had furnished this
building fo r their employees; and often added to the fund so that the
school term might be lengthened, or a larger number o f teachers be
employed, or both. A company often does so much that the school is
virtually under its management. Some o f the buildings furnished were
found to be very handsome and well equipped, and contained besides
the schoolrooms a public library and a hall for social gatherings. Such
buildings were found at large establishments in South Carolina and
Georgia. In North Carolina, where the factories were as a rule
smaller, the local authorities often had full charge o f the schools, the
manufacturers contributing to their support through local taxation.
Many o f the parents visited in these States expressed a desire to have
their children attend school, and a few were making sacrifices that
some o f them at least might g o; many more showed little interest
in the schools and made petty excuses fo r keeping at home the children
too young to be at work. Some parents not only failed to appreciate
the advantages o f the factory town, but regretted having left the
country, because farm life, they thought, afforded better opportunities
fo r schooling than factory life. They said that in the country there
would be a portion o f every year when there would be no work to be
done on the farm at which the children could help and when they
could g o to school, but in town there was no time in the year when
the factory work stopped, so there could be no schooling except at the
expense o f the children’s earnings. In several o f the towns visited
missions had been established in the neighborhood o f the mills at which
night schools were conducted. A few o f the children who had attended
school since beginning work had availed themselves o f the opportuni
ties thus afforded.
The last column o f the table shows the number o f children who had
not attended school either before or since beginning work.
The
number is considerable in the four Southern States. The parents of a
few o f these children declared that they meant to take them out o f the
527
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
mill within a few years and give them a chance to go to school. The
children reported in this column fo r the remaining States, except for
Maryland, were foreign born. The child reported for Massachusetts
had been in this country less than a year, and had been at work only
three weeks; he was visited in August, and hence had had no oppor
tunity to attend night school. The children reported for Rhode Island
and New Jersey had been in this country less than two years. Those
reported fo r New Y ork were Italians, and employed in finishing gar
ments at home. One o f them had been in this country less than a
year, one had been here five years, and the third eight years. The
child reported fo r Pennsylvania had been here one year; he was a
breaker boy, 10 years o f age. M ost o f these children were unable
not only to read and write the English language, but also to speak it.
The literacy o f the children reported is shown in the following table:
LITERACY OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY STATES.
Number unable to read and
write English—
State.
Massachusetts..............................................................................
Rhode Island................................................................................
New York......................................................................................
New Jersey...................................................................................
Pennsylvania................................................................................
Maryland.......................................................................................
North Carolina.............................................................................
South Carolina..............................................................................
Georgia..........................................................................................
Alfl.hfl.Tna.......... .......... .................................................................
W isconsin.....................................................................................
Illinois...........................................................................................
Missouri........................................................................................
But able
Or any
to read
other lan and write
guage. another
language.
4
3
4
4
7
6
4
3
4
a 21
36
31
14
2
5
(a)
1
Total.
8
7
13
6
8
4
a 21
36
31
14
1
Number
able to
read and
write
English.
68
71
109
129
307
63
b 73
o61
<*74
c 27
53
121
72
a Not including 4 persons whose literacy was not reported.
b Including 13 persons who could read but not write, but not including 4 persons whose literacy was
not reported.
c Including 9 persons who could read but not write.
d Including 15 persons who could read but not write.
e Including 7 persons who could read but not write.
Many o f the foreign children, while unable to read and write
English, could read and write their native language and had attended
school before coming to this country. Such children are not really
illiterates, and are therefore separated in the table from the children
unable to read and write English or any other language. The total
number o f children unable to read and write English in North and
South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama is comparatively large, rising
from more than 21 per cent in North Carolina to more than 37 per cent
in South Carolina. Many o f the children reported from these States as
able to read and write English could read, but were unable to write.
A comparatively large number o f the illiterate children in all the
States had had some schooling, as will be seen by comparing the total
number o f illiterates with the number o f children who had not attended
528
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
school either before or since beginning work, as given in the preceding
table. Many parents confessed with regret that their children had
forgotten all that they had been taught, and in many instances said
they meant to give them another chance. On the other hand, many
children had failed to learn to read and write, and their parents con
sidered it useless to keep them longer in school.
It is sometimes asserted that young children who have been employed
at labor a few years become stunted mentally and unable to learn if
they are afterwards put in school. This assertion has been made with
reference to the South, where children begin to work at an earlier
age than in other parts o f the country, but no evidence was found to
warrant it as the statement o f a general fact. On the other hand,
teachers in the South, o f whom inquiry was made, were unanimous in
stating that they observed no difference in the mental power and
capacity to learn between the children in their classes who had been
at work and those who had not. Those who had been at work often
made better progress than those who had not, being more diligent and
showing a greater desire to make the most o f their opportunities. A
few children were found, however, in both Northern and Southern fac
tories who undoubtedly were the worse fo r their years at labor and
who appeared to be stunted both mentally and physically.
HEALTH OF W ORKING CHILDREN.
Facts available for tabulation were not obtained in regard to the
physical condition o f children at work. Some general information was
derived from observation o f the children themselves and from questions
put to their parents. Many o f the children seen in the establishments
visited appeared to be undersized, the pinched worn faces, the thin
arms and puny bodies o f many o f them giving evidence that they
were o f underweight. Am ong the children reported many were phys
ically unfit for the labor required o f them. A few who began work
before they were 10 years old, though not actually broken down, were
at 15 so worn, their energies so far exhausted, that advancement in
productive power much beyond the point already reached seemed
quite improbable unless a period o f complete rest should intervene.
V ery few o f the parents o f the children reported for Massachu
setts, Rhode Island, New Y ork, New Jersey, W isconsin, Illinois, and
Missouri admitted that the health o f their children had suffered from
the labor required o f them, many claiming that they were in better
health than before they went to work. But considerably more than
half o f the children reported fo r these States had been at work less
than a year. V ery few had worked more than two years. A few
cases o f minor ailments were found
One boy had frequent headaches
while in a cotton factory, and on being advised by the doctor to change
his employment had obtained work as helper in the washhouse o f a
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
529
bleachery, where he was feeling better. Another little fellow com
plained that the heat in the drying room o f the bleachery where he
was employed made his head ache, but added proudly that he had
never asked to be let off. A girl o f 15 who had worked more than
three years, first for a shirt manufacturer and afterwards for a flax
spinning company, said she had headache all the time and was tired o f
working. The dust in a flax mill had given two other children sore
throats. A girl was found at home in bed with an attack o f bilious
fever three days after she was seen at a silk factory. Her mother
said it was a common occurrence and that she lost much time in this
way. Several girls employed at a cigar factory as strippers com
plained that the tobacco nauseated them. Most o f the mothers o f the
glass-factory boys who were questioned frankly admitted that they
considered night work bad fo r their sons. One whose boy had been
at work about five months said that he had become very restless and
was not sleeping well. Many o f the boys who were on night work
were found out o f bed between 9 and 11 in the forenoon. Their
mothers said that they were usually up by 9 o’clock, but that they
would sometimes take a nap in the afternoon before going to work.
Some o f the glass factory boys whose parents declared that their
health was good were thin and looked worn-out. This was especially
the case with two boys 13 years old, twins, who had worked through
three “ fires” at three different factories and had been three months
at the fourth. Another boy, who had also worked through three fires,
beginning when 11 years o f age, was hollow under his eyes, and thin.
He complained o f his back, which ached constantly, and o f frequent
colds, but his mother declared that he was stronger than when he began
to work.
M ore than half the children reported fo r Pennsylvania and M ary
land had worked over one year but not over two years. V ery few
parents admitted that these children had suffered in health. Nearly
one-fourth o f the Pennsylvania children had worked from two to five
years. Many o f these were boys, employed in the breakers, o f whom
a majority were undersized. They looked stunted rather than deli
cate. They possessed warped, stooping figures, brought about by the
strained position in which they sat while at work.
The work was
hard upon the hands and fingers. One little fellow wore gloves to
protect his hands from the rough coal and slate. One boy who worked
six months as a bobbin boy at a silk mill before obtaining employment
in the breakers declared that the millwork used him up more than
slate picking. A boy o f 14, employed as helper in the dyehouse o f a
worsted mill, was made ill by the fumes from the various chemical
substances used. H e was removed after two weeks and given work
as a bobbin boy in the spinning room. Another, employed to handle
skins at a glove factory, was found at home with a sore hand. He had
8874—No. 52—04----- 1
530
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
had a small sore which the acid on the skins had poisoned and made
worse. In Maryland a number o f parents whose children worked in
a cotton factory complained that the little ones took frequent colds
from getting overheated. One boy was so run down after working
fifteen months as a filling winder at the same factory that he was taken
out and made to help his father in his business as huckster, but after
two months he was sent back to the mill. A girl employed at a cigar
factory left after six months because stripping made her sick; she
obtained work in the laundry department o f a shirt factory where she
had worked nearly two years and had kept perfectly well. The
mother o f a boy o f 14 who had been working six months in the tin
shop o f a tobacco factory said that his health was bad; that he had a
cough and a tendency to consumption.
O f the children reported fo r North and South Carolina 75 per cent
had worked more than one year, and 50 per cent had worked more
than two years. O f the children reported fo r Georgia 60 per cent, and
fo r Alabama 70 per cent, had worked more than one year, and about
35 per cent fo r Georgia and 25 per cent for Alabama had worked more
than two years. Many reported fo r these States had worked more
than three years, some four and five years; one boy had worked seven
years, having begun at the age o f 7. A ccording to the testimony
o f their parents, a majority o f the children had had no acute sick
ness since beginning work, but a large proportion of this number
did not have good health. A few were not strong before they began
to work. O f these some had gained in health, but more had lost since
beginning work. Many o f those who had good health before beginning
work had failed since. Such children appeared worn and tired, and
were thin and had pale or sallow faces. O f all the children reported
for the Carolinas about 65 per cent had had no acute sickness since
beginning work. These included about 40 per cent who were in good
health and about 25 per cent who had fair health. The remaining 35
per cent had had some acute illness, which had caused them to lose
considerable time, and they were usually reported to have either fair
or bad health. Similar percentages could be shown from the testi
mony o f parents in Georgia and Alabama. To what extent this con
dition was due to long hours o f factory labor, or to what extent to
the manner o f living which prevailed among the factory people, could
not be determined. These people were noted for unwholesome cookery
and a dietary consisting chiefly o f pork and hot biscuits. Many o f
them, however, kept cows and chickens, which furnished them with
fresh milk and eggs, and cultivated small gardens in which they grew
vegetables in their seasons. The most common disorders found among
the children who had had more or less acute sickness were intestinal
disorders, malaria or slow fever, and throat troubles. A few girls
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
531
had had special pelvic disorders. There were also cases o f contagious
diseases— as smallpox, measles, and mumps. The parents o f the children
who were working at night were almost unanimous in their opinion that
it was bad for them. These children did not sleep well, and became
nervous and restless. The work was especially bad for their eyes. A
father pointed out the dark rings about the eyes o f his boy and the
heavy drooping lids as the peculiar marks o f the night-working child.
The follow ing are typical cases o f children at work in Southern fac
tories, selected to illustrate conditions in regard to health:
Robert M ., 9 years old, who began to work at 7, had no special sick
ness, but was not so well as when in the country. A fter he had worked
two months his parents took him back to the farm where he stayed
fifteen months, when he was again sent to the mill.
Silas L . , 13 years old, who had been working four years, gets run
down, especially in the summer. He had taken no vacation but stayed
out a day now and then to rest.
Mrs. C. claimed that her children had better health than when they
were in the country, but were all afflicted, pretty constantly, with a a
misery inside o f them.”
Addie S., 13 years old, got constipated and bilious and was obliged
to lose a few days every two or three weeks on account o f a slight
fever.
Earl S. strained his chest when doffing, otherwise be had been as
well as when on the farm. He had worked eighteen months. Other
boys complained o f backache or pain in the side from doffing.
W illie C., nearly 15, had been subject from a small child to disorders
o f the throat. He had been worse since beginning to work two years
ago.
Bertha J ., nearly 14, was disagreeably affected with a constant
desire to spit and chew something when in the spinning room where
she worked eighteen months. F or more thai two years she had been
working in the cloth room and had been free :rom this trouble.
Barry P ., 14 years old, had a singularly old face. H e was thin and
his complexion sallow. H e had worked three years as a spinner.
M aggie M ., now 14, began to work when he was 8 years o f age.
She was then not considered well enough to g o to school. She would
work a few weeks and rest a few weeks. St e continued in this way
fo r 'tw o and one-half years when the family moved to its present
home. Since then her health had been bet! er and she had worked
constantly fo r three years and a half. She 1pas, however, an under
sized child, thin and pale, but bright and motherly with her younger
brothers and sisters.
Maggie D ., 15, was paralyzed in one side. She was refused work
at the first factory to which she applied on account o f her lameness
532
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
and delicate appearance, but obtained it at the second, where she had
worked for more than two years. She was not strong, however, and
had a poor appetite, often going to work without her breakfast.
Dolly P ., 13, had only fair health. She lost several weeks last sum
mer with malaria. She wanted to try night work, and was changed
to the night force in her milt a month before. She did not sleep well,
and would be glad to change back.
Edna B., 14 years and 10 months, became very much run down
during three years that she was on night work. Her parents sought
day work fo r her at another mill, where she had been employed six
weeks, during which time she had gained 7 i pounds.
John W ., who had been working 7 years, having begun when he
was 7, reported no illness except colds; but he was considerably run
down. His parents hoped he would improve if allowed to have onehalf o f each day off. Permission was granted him, and he attended a
mission school fo r three hours in the forenoon. But he was not always
sure o f his time, fo r if they were short o f hands at the mill the super
intendent sent for him, and he was obliged to work and lose a morn
ing from school.
HOME CONDITIONS OF W ORKING CHILDREN.
The 1,381 children who have been reported individually belonged to
1,036 families, distributed as follows among the thirteen States:
NUMBER OF CHILDREN INDIVIDUALLY REPORTED, BY STATES.
State.
Massachusetts................................
Rhode Island..................................
New Y ork........................................
New Jersey.....................................
Pennsylvania..................................
Maryland _
North C arolina..............................
South Carolina................................
Chil
dren.
76
78
122
135
315
67
98
97
Fam
ilies.
72
66
112
100
247
47
53
53
State.
Chil
dren.
Fam
ilies.
Georgia..........................................
A labam a.......................................
W isconsin.....................................
Illin ois..........................................
Missouri........................................
105
41
53
72
50
17
49
113
57
T ota l...................................
1,381
1,036
122
W ith the exception o f 6 children reported fo r Rhode Island, 1 for
New Y ork, and 2 for Maryland, all the children belonging in these
families who were under 16 years o f age and were employed at remu
nerative labor were reported; thus these figures show the average
number o f children per family who were employed at labor. These
averages varied from less than 1.1 children per family o f the families
reported for Massachusetts, New Y ork, W isconsin, and Illinois, to 2.4
children per family o f the families reported for Alabama. Some o f
these families were very large, numbering eleven or more members,
but the larger memberships usually included boarders or lodgers as
well as relatives o f the children reported. The average membership
was a fraction over six fo r the families reported fo r New Y ork, New
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
533
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri, a fraction over eight
for the families reported fo r Alabama, and seven, or a fraction over
seven, for the families reported fo r the remaining States.
The greater portion of these families rented their homes. The
number o f homes owned by the families reported for Pennsylvania,
Illinois, and Wisconsin was comparatively large; the percentages rang
ing from about 30 per cent in Pennsylvania to about 45 per cent in
Wisconsin. Less than 15 per cent o f the families reported for the
remaining States owned their homes. Many Polish families in M il
waukee were found owning their homes.
They lived in shanties
which they had built on the rear end o f their lots and rented to oth
ers a better house in front. About 15 per cent o f the Maryland fam
ilies owned the houses in which they lived and paid a ground rent.
A ll varieties o f dwellings were represented by the homes o f these fam
ilies, but two predominate— the city tenement and the cottage o f the
factory village or town. The greater number o f families reported
fo r all but the four Southern States were living in city tenements, in
houses containing— with the exception o f most o f those found in Bal
timore, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and New Y ork City— from two to six
or eight families. In the first three cities excepted most o f the houses
contained only one family each, but in New Y ork City more than
half the families were living in houses containing more than eight fam
ilies each, many accommodating twenty and twenty-four families; one
contained thirty-four families. These were in the down-town districts
o f Manhattan, where the streets are always crowded, and where the
home surroundings o f the working children are in striking contrast
to the home surroundings o f the children reported for the four South
ern States and o f many reported for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and
Illinois who were living in the country. The families reported for
the Southern States were found usually in factory villages, living in
dwellings erected by the companies. The cottages were built to
accommodate one or two families, and in many villages were sur
rounded by gardens. There was plenty o f fresh air and the country
lay close at hand. Y et although the Southern families thus had
more space about their homes than a majority o f those reported
fo r other parts o f the country, they often had less accommodation
within. Measured in number o f rooms occupied by each family, the
average accommodation in the four Southern States and in Missouri
and Wisconsin was about one-half of a room to each person, in New
Y ork it was 0.6 o f a room, in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jer
sey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois it was 0.7 o f a room, and in Maryland
it was 0.8 o f a room per person.
It would not be possible, nor is it necessary, to enter at length upon
a description o f the equipments for living found within the dwellings
534
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
o f these working children. They and the families to which they
belong represent all kinds o f people, including the lazy and shiftless
as well as the energetic and thrifty. Some o f the houses were squalid
and insanitary within, others were spotlessly clean. Some were meanly
furnished, others well furnished, and in yet others luxuries such as
organs, pianos, books, and pictures were found. As a rule the dwell
ings o f the Italian, Portuguese, and Polish families and some of the
French Canadian were meanly and scantily furnished, with occasional
attempts at decoration, such as bright-colored prints upon the walls,
paper flowers in vases, etc. The dwellings of the English, Irish,
Germans, and Americans, except in the Southern States, were well
furnished, with many comforts and even luxuries. In the Southern
States the rooms were, as a rule, rather bare, but there were notable
exceptions. Many parlor organs and sewing machines were seen,
some front rooms containing, besides the bedstead and a few chairs,
a center table upon which the family Bible and a few other books
were displayed. Occasionally there were cheap ornaments on the
mantel and about the room. Crayon enlargements from photographs
of members o f the family were often seen upon the walls.
Some effort was made to obtain data in regard to the incomes o f the
families o f the working children reported in order to show not only
the economic condition o f these families, but also the comparative
value o f the contributions o f the children under 16 years of age. The
result was not entirely satisfactory, because accurate average weekly
incomes were not obtainable, i. e., averages fo r a period o f time; but
figures representing the weekly income at the time the family was
visited, based upon the usual weekly earnings of the contributing
members, were obtained for nearly all the families considered. A ll
the families fo r whom earnings o f members were reported had one or
more children under 16 years o f age at work and contributing their
earnings to the family income, except in a very few instances. The
number o f families having one, tw o, three, and four or more children
under 16 years o f age contributing to the family income is given in
the follow ing table by States:
535
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
FAMILIES HAYING EACH SPECIFIED NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE
CONTRIBUTING TO THE FAMILY INCOME, AND TOTAL CHILDREN CONTRIBUTING.
[The total number of children shown in this table differs from the total number individually
reported given in previous tables. This is because a few children were found contributing to
the family income who were not individually reported, and a few who were individually reported
were learners or helpers and not contributing. In case of six families and ten children income
was not reported.]
Families having each specified number Families
Total
of children under 16 years contributing. having
children
Total
children under
number
under 16 years16
of
2 chil
3 chil 4children years not contrib
families. 1 child.
dren.
dren.
or over. contrib uting.
uting.
Strite.
Massachusetts.....................•...
Rhode Island............................
New Y o rk ..................................
New Jersey................................
Pennsylvania...........................
M aryland..................................
North Carolina.........................
South Carolina.........................
Georgia.................................. .
Alabama __................................
72
66
66
112
100
50
96
a 245
47
53
53
50
17
49
68
180
26
22
22
11
4
46
4
14
13
24
63
1
2
1
20
20
22
1
27
5
5
l
8
5
9
2
6
1
41
9
13
1
• 732
236
41
Wisconsin................................
Illinois....................................
Missouri.
.........................
a 111
<*55
100
T ota l ..............................
51,030
1
1
1
2
2
77
84
125
135
313
69
98
97
104
40
3
4
3
2
53
14
2
118
70
7
1,383
« Not including two families, data not reported.
&Not including six families, data not reported.
Besides children under 16 years o f age there were in all but a very
small number o f the families reported older members contributing to
the family income. There was a father or person standing in the
place o f father to the working children in from 65 to 90 per cent of
the families reported, but an average o f 10 per cent o f the families
having fathers were receiving no help from them. Many o f the idle
fathers considered themselves at 50 years o f age too old to work, while
others were too much broken in health. In many instances where the
father was at work his employment was irregular and his contribution
small. In many families having fathers, both at work and not at work,
the mothers were engaged in some remunerative occupation and con
tributed to the support o f the family. In New Y ork City many of these
mothers were finishing garments for tailors; others were doing janitor
service in the tenement buildings in which the family lived. In some
families having no fathers the mothers were at work and helping in
the family support. In other instances the mother was doing nothing
when it seemed as if she were better able to work than the children
upon whom she was depending fo r support. In still other instances
she was evidently unable to work and was necessarily dependent either
upon her children or upon charity. Most o f these mothers were wid
ows, but many had been deserted by their husbands. A majority o f
the families had children over 16 years o f age who were at work.
Usually these children were contributing their entire earnings to the
common fund. This was often found to be the case even with jroung
men old enough to be voters. Many o f the older children merely
536
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
boarded at home. The proportion o f families having children con
tributing by their board only was greater in the four Southern States
than in any o f the other States considered. The largest percentages
o f families having boarders and lodgers, not children, were found in
Massachusetts and North Carolina, where 78 and 57 per cent, respect
ively, o f the families reported had boarders or lodgers. M ore than
25 per cent o f the families in each o f the remaining States had board
ers or lodgers, except in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri, where
very few were found. Occasionally families had incomes' from out
side sources, such as rents or produce from farms and gardens. But
except in one or two instances a very small part o f the total incomes
were derived from such sources.
The follow ing table gives the number and per cent o f families with
classified weekly income from all sources o f less than $12, o f $12 or
less than $25, and o f $25 or over, by States:
NUMBER AND PER CENT OF FAMILIES HAVING EACH SPECIFIED WEEKLY INCOME, BY
STATES.
Stats.
Massachusetts......................
Rhode Isla n d ......................
New Y ork ............................
New Jersey...........................
Pennsylvania......................
M aryland.............................
North Carolina....................
South Carolina....................
Georgia..................................
A labam a..............................
W isconsin.............................
Illinois..................................
Missouri................................
Number of families having each Per cent of families having each
Total
specified weekly income.
specified weekly income.
num
ber of
$12 or
$12 or
Income
fami Under under $25 or not re Under under
$25 or Income
not re
over. ported. $12.
lies.
312.
over. ported.
$25.
$25.
72
66
112
100
a 245
47
53
53
50
17
49
a 111
a 55
10
20
34
14
42
17
25
26
24
10
8
13
16
43
33
62
71
151
24
28
25
26
6
35
65
30
18
1
12
3
14
9
42
5
2
6
10
1
2
1
6
27
7
6
2
13.9
30.3
30.3
14.0
17.2
36.2
47.2
49.0
48.0
58.8
16.3
11.7
29.1
59.7
50.0
55.4
71.0
61.6
51.1
52.8
47.2
52.0
35.3
71.4
58.6
54.6
25.0
18.2
12.5
9.0
17.2
4.0
10.6
2 .1
1.4
1.5
1 .8
6 .0
8 .8
5.9
12.3
24.3
12.7
5.4
3.6
a Not including 2 families, data not reported.
These figures show that proportionately more incomes under $12
per week in the families o f working children were reported for the
four Southern States than for the other nine States, and also, except
in the case o f one family in Alabama, no incomes o f more than $25
per week were found in the Southern States. But it should be remem
bered that the cost o f living is probably less in these States than
in the others with which these figures deal. Boarders taken into the
families reported for the Southern States and children paying board
usually paid less than $2 per week. A common charge was $8 a
month. In the Northern States and in Wisconsin and Illinois the
charge fo r board was seldom less than $2.50 per week; it was more
often over $3 per week.
The amount o f a family’s income considered without reference to
the number o f its members does not give an accurate idea o f the eco
nomic condition o f the family. A n attempt is here made to show th e .
economic condition o f the families o f working children by classifying
537
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
certain families according to the average income per member. In
order that a comparison may be made between the families reported
fo r the several States, which are nearly alike in all respects except
income and number o f members, only those families are considered
which were paying rent fo r their homes, and whose working members
were contributing all their earnings to the family income. These
families are fo r convenience called normal families, and are classified
according to specified incomes per member, by States, as follows.
The figures are based upon the total income per family less the amount
o f the rent.
NUMBER AND PER CENT OF NORMAL FAMILIES HAVING EACH SPECIFIED WEEKLY
INCOME PER MEMBER, BY STATES.
State.
Massachusetts..
Rhode Island...
New Y o rk .........
New Jersey.......
Pennsylvania..
M aryland.........
North Carolina.
South Carolina.
Georgia..............
A labam a..........
W isconsin.........
Illin ois..............
Missouri............
Total
num
ber of
fami
lies.
Number of normal families having
each specified weekly income per
member.
Un
der
» 1.
72
$1 or 62 or 63 or 64 or
un un un un 65 or Total.
der der der der over
62. 63. 64. 65.
1
12
66
112
100
4
14
4
a 246
47
63
63
60
17
49
a 111
<*55
10
1
13
34
18
52
16
15
15
15
3
3
3
3
3
9
21
8
3
23
27
31
7
7
16
7
29
10
3
4
6
8
1
10
18
19
11
12
8
2
4
3
4
8
2
2
1
1
2
11
6
1
7
3
1
2
Per cent of normal families hav
ing each specified weekly in
come per member.
or 62 or 63 or 64 or
Un 61
un un un 65 or To
der un
der der der der over tal.
61. 62. 63. 64. 65.
43 2.3 27.9 48.8 7.0 4.7
36 11.1 36.1 22.2 2 2.2 8.4
89 15.7 38.2 25.8 18.0
62 6 .6 29.0 43.5 11.3 6.5
131 7.6 39.7 23.7 22.1 6 .1
25 4.0 64.0 28.0 4.0
22
68.2 31.8
31 9.7 48.4 32.2 9.7
22 13.6 68.2 18.2
10 30.0 60.0 10.0
24 12.5 33.3 41.7 8.3 4.2
61 4.9 29.5 31.2 18.0 11.5
41 22.0 26.8 29.3 14.6 2.4
9.3
....
2.3
3.2
.8
4.9
4.9
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
a Not including 2 families, data not reported.
The whole number o f families reported for each State is entered in
the first column o f the table; the number o f normal families considered
in the succeeding columns is entered in the eighth column o f figures.
The percentages, which are given in the right-hand columns o f the
table, show that over 50 per cent o f the normal families o f New Y ork,
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama
were living upon incomes o f less than $2 per week per member. The
four States in the list having the greatest percentages o f families
whose weekly incomes were $2 or over per member are Illinois,
Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.
The relative importance o f the contributions o f children under 16
years o f age may be shown first by classifying families according to
specified weekly incomes received from these children and from other
members, including both heads o f families and children over 16 years
o f age, and second by classifying children under 16 years o f age and
other members according to specified weekly contributions. The con
tributions o f children under 16 years o f age represent their entire
earnings, therefore in order that the comparisons made possible by
these classifications may be upon the same basis, only those mem
bers over 16 years o f age who also contribute practically all their
538
BULLETIN OB1 THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
earnings are considered, i. e., those members who pay board and
lodging are excluded.
The following tables show the number and percentage o f families
receiving specified weekly incomes from children under 16 years o f
age and from members over 16 years o f age not paying board and
lodging, by States:
NUMBER OP FAMILIES HAVING EACH SPECIFIED WEEKLY INCOME FROM CHILDREN
UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE AND FROM MEMBERS OVER 16, BY STATES.
Number of families having each specified weekly income from—
State.
Massachusetts............
Rhode Island..............
New York....................
New Jersey.................
Pennsylvania..............
Maryland....................
North Carolina..........
South Carolina............
Georgia........................
Alabama......................
Wisconsin....................
Illinois.........................
M issouri......................
Total Children under 16 years of age. Members over 16 years of age not pay
num
ing board and lodging.
ber of
fami
85 or 88 or
83 or $5 or
lies. Noth Un un un 88 or Noth Un un un 812 Amount
or
not re
der der over. ing. der
ing. der
der der over.
85.
83.
ported.
88 .
85.
812.
88 .
72
1
66
112
100
2
2
a 245
47
53
53
50
17
49
a 111
«55
16
14
35
16
51
20
100
18
13
19
21
12
11
25
5
34
57
26
4
12
2
34
31
59
50
16
11
15
16
13
17
75
5
3
15
19
16
8
1
1
16
16
3
3
3
12
6
6
2
3
5
2
1
2
34
13
5
6
5
1
8
2
1
3
6
5
6
6
11
8
8
17
14
16
13
24
13
26
24
78
16
7
16
14
14
5
20
2
2
8
8
24
5
10
16
11
4
4
12
8
11
12
35
33
50
50
109
13
2
3
3
10
1
6
9
5
4
2
11
30
67
24
i
7
2
a Not including 2 families, data not reported.
PER CENT OF FAMILIES HAVING EACH SPECIFIED WEEKLY INCOME FROM CHILDREN
UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE AND FROM MEMBERS OVER 16, BY STATES.
Per cent of families having each specified weekly income from—
Children under 16 years of age.
Members over 16 years of age not paying
board and lodging.
State.
83 or 85 or
un un- 88 or Noth
Noth Un
der der over. ing.
ing. der
83.
85.
88.
Massachusetts..
Rhode Island ..
New Y ork .........
New Jersey.......
Pennsylvania ..
M aryland.........
North Carolina.
South Carolina.
G eorgia............
Alabam a..........
W isconsin.........
Illin ois..............
Missouri............
1.4
1.8
2.0
1.8
22.2
21.2
31.2
16.0
20.8
42.6
24.5
35.9
22.0
23.5
24.5
14.4
20.0
47.2
47.0
52.7
50.0
40.8
38.3
39.6
22.6
50.0
29.4
69.4
51.4
47.2
20.8
24.2
11.6
17.0
30.6
17.0
30.2
30.2
24.0
17.7
4.1
30.6
23.7
8.4
7.6
2.7
15.0
7.8
2 .1
5.7
11.3
4.0
29.4
2 .0
1 .8
9.1
9.1
4.5
1 .0
6 .6
2.1
Un
der
85.
8.3
9.1
9.8
8.0
6.6
11.8
2 .0
14.9
30.2
26.4
28.0
29.4
4.1
2.7
10.9
14.6
5.7
5.7
16.0
1.8
85 or 88 or
or Amount
under under 812
not re
over. ported.
88.
812.
7.0
12.1
15.2
14.0
6.6
27.7
37.7
30.2
22.0
23.5
8.2
7.2
9.1
33.3
19.7
23.2
24.0
31.8
25.5
15.1
20.7
24.0
23.5
22.5
21.6
18.2
48,6
50.0
44.6
50.0
44.4
27.7
11.3
17.0
2 .8
2.7
3.0
4.0
2 .1
10.0
11.8
61.2
60.4
43.6
2 .0
6,3
3.6
Bv examining the percentage columns o f this table it will be seen
that the mean or average weekly#income received from children under
16 years o f age falls in the column headed 44$3 or under $ 5 ” for each
State, and that the mean income received from members over 16 years
o f age falls either in the column headed 44 $8 or under $12” or in the
column headed 44$12 or o v e r ” fo r each State except North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, and that for these States it
539
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES,
falls in the column headed a $5 or under $8.” Thus, while the incomes
received from children average about the same in all the States, those
received from members over 16 years o f age average lower in the four
Southern States named than in the other nine States considered, and
hence those received from children are relatively greater. In deter
mining the position o f mean incomes the percentages in the columns
headed “ nothing ” are o f course not counted in. Many o f the families
entered as receiving nothing from members over 16 years o f age were,
however, receiving board from such members.
The follow ing tables give the number and percentage o f children
under 16 years o f age, and o f members over 16 years o f age not pay
ing board, contributing specified amounts per week to the family
income, b y States:
NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE AND OF MEMBERS OVER 16 CONTRIB
UTING SPECIFIED WEEKLY AMOUNTS, BY STATES.
[The total number of children in this table differs from the total shown in the tables giving the
number individually reported, pp. 517-521, 532. This is because a few children were found contrib
uting to family income who were not individually reported, and a few who were individually
reported were learners or helpers and not contributing.]
State.
Number of children under Number of members over 16 years of
16 years of age contribu
age not paying board and lodging
Total
ting weekly—
but contributing weekly—
num
ber of
83
or
83 or 85 or Amount
fami
Under under
or
lies. Total. Under under 85
not re
over. Total.
over. ported.
83.
$3.
85.
85.
72
Massachusetts....................
Rhode Island......................
New Y o r k ...........................
New Jersey.........................
Pennsylvania......................
Maryland.............................
North C arolina...................
South C arolina..................
Georgia................................
Alabama..............................
a 245
Illinois..................................
Missouri................................
a 111
<*55
Wisconsin...........................
66
112
100
47
53
53
50
17
49
77
84
125
135
313
69
98
97
104
40
53
118
70
16
22
43
23
90
51
70
70
86
32
15
23
16
42
53
71
99
174
17
28
26
18
7
38
64.
45
19
9
136
113
11
202
13
49
160
369
1
88
1
1
31
9
83
84
79
30
95
187
79
4
7
26
16
11
23
13
14
26
7
6
10
4
23
17
41
33
49
31
47
35
34
16
25
33
24
107
89
132
108
298
33
23
35
19
7
63
137
49
2
3
3
11
1
1
7
2
a Not including 2 families, data not reported.
PER CENT OF CONTRIBUTING CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE AND OF CONTRIB
UTING MEMBERS OVER 16 WHO CONTRIBUTE EACH SPECIFIED WEEKLY AMOUNT,
BY STATES.
Per cent of contributing chil
dren under 16 years of age
who contribute weekly—
Per cent of contributing members over
16 years of age not paying board and
lodging, but who contribute weekly—
State.
Amount
or un
83 or un
Under 83. 83
der 85. 85 or over. Under 83. der 85. 85 or over. not re
ported.
Massachusetts....................
Rhode Island......................
New Y o rk ...........................
New Jersey.........................
Pennsylvania......................
Maryland......................... .
North Carolina...................
South Carolina...................
Georgia................................
A labam a.............................
W isconsin...........................
Illin ois................................
Missouri..............................
20.8
26.2
34.4
17.1
28.7
73.9
71.4
72.2
82.7
80.0
28.3
19.5
22.9
54.5
63.1
56.8
73.3
55.6
24.6
28.6
26.8
17.3
17.5
71.7
54.2
64.3
24.7
10.7
2.9
8 .8
12.9
16.9
15.0
20.3
10.0
20.6
3.0
26.2
15.7
16.6
32.9
23.3
6.3
5.4
5.1
13.3
35.2
56.6
41.7
43.0
53.4
26.3
17.6
30.4
9.6
15.7
1.5
1 .0
2.5
26.3
12.8
6 .2
78.7
78.8
65.3
67.5
80.7
37.5
27.7
41.7
24.1
23.3
66.3
73.3
62.0
1.5
1.5
1.9
3.0
1 .1
1 .1
3.7
2.5
540
BULLETIN OF THE BtJBEAtT OF LABOtt.
By examining the percentage columns o f this table the mean or
average contribution o f children under 16 years of age will be seen to
fall in the column headed “ under $3” for the States o f Maryland,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, and in the
column headed u $3 or under $5” for the remaining eight States, and
the mean or average contribution o f members over 16 years of age
will be seen to fall in the column headed “ $3 or under $5” for the five
States just named, and in the column headed “ $5 or ov er” fo r the
eight remaining States. Thus the individual contributions, both of
the children and o f the older members o f the families contributing all
their earnings, average less in Maryland and the four Southern States
than in the other States considered. The greater relative importance
o f the contributions o f children under 16 years o f age in the four
Southern States seems, therefore, to be due to the fact that more such
children in each family can be put to work and thus made to contribute
to the family income than in the other nine States.
The data given in the last table shows that members o f the families
over 16 years of age were earning on the average more per week in
those States in which child labor was restricted than in those in which
there was practically no restriction upon the employment of children.
No data was obtained to show the extent to which this fact can be
attributed to the depressing effect of unrestricted child labor upon the
rates o f wages. But much was seen to suggest that it may in many
instances be attributed, in part at least, to the effect of the unre
stricted power, o f the older members o f the family to put children to
work. Not only were fathers idle who might have found employment,
but many children over 16 years o f age were content with small earn
ings. In many instances had the older members of the family worked
with greater energy the labor o f many young children, at least o f
those under 12, might have been spared without any diminution in the
family income.
No very close estimate can be made o f the proportion which the
contributions o f the children bore to the total incomes of the families
considered in these tables. It may be stated, roughly, that families
in all the States were receiving amounts averaging from 20 to 40 per
cent o f their total incomes from children under 16 years o f age. Thus
these children were o f considerable economic importance to their
parents. W ith very few exceptions those reported gave up all their
earnings to their parents. Frequently they were not allowed to draw
their pay themselves, but the father, mother, or older brother or sis
ter, received their envelopes. Spending money was generally given
them. u W e must give them something to keep them contented when
they give up all they get,” was said by many a mother. Usually the
amount o f spending money was not a fixed amount. It was merely
“ what could be spared,” and depended upon circumstances. But in
541
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
Northern textile communities a definite sum, 50 cents or $1 each week,
was reported in a few cases, or a percentage o f earnings or all earned
over the even dollars was allowed. A few cases were found where chil
dren were allowed to keep all their earnings upon condition that they
clothed themselves. Some children, as messenger boys who received
tips, and glass factory boys who received fees from the blowers they
served, had gains outside their regular earnings which they were gen
erally allowed to keep. Indeed; messenger boys often acquired large
amounts through tips o f which the parents knew nothing.
One could not fail to observe that the effect o f the economic impor
tance o f their children too often disposed parents to think o f them
chiefly as a source o f profit to themselves. A Southern father lamented
the death o f his little girl because she was such a good spinner, the
best “ hand” he had. Many mothers complained o f the laws raising
the age at which children could go to work, because by reason o f
them and o f the growing tendency o f the young people to marry early
or to wish to be independent o f their parents, so few years were left
during which parents could profit by their labor. The effect o f their
position in the household upon the children themselves together with
the demands made on them by the nature o f the work they were doing
combined to shorten their childhood. They were no longer little chil
dren to be cared for by father and mother, but equal sharers with them
o f the burdens and responsibilities o f life.
T able I .— W E E K L Y EARNINGS OF CH ILD REN UNDER 16 Y E A R S OF AG E,
B Y INDUSTRIES AND ESTABLISHM ENTS.
jH A ftSA C H U SE T TS.
Industry,
Boots and shoes —
Brushes...................
Carpets....................
Confectionery.........
Cotton and worsted
goods....................
Cotton g o o d s..........
Children under 16
Earnings per
Number earning per w eekweek.
years of age.
Estab$2
$3
$4 $5 $6 $7
lishUn or
or
or or or or
ment Male. Fe Total. High Low Aver der un un un un un un $8
or
est. est. age. $2 . der der der der der der over.
male.
No.
$3. $4. $5. $6. $7. $8 .
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Department store...
Rubber goods, boots.
Woolen g o o d s.........
Worsted goods.........
13
14
15
16
17
18
T otal..............
7
4
85
7
57
16
199
28
29
9
26
85
37
84
39
43
149
26
29
18
17
29
33
54
5
3
4
2
3
30
710
6
50
7 $6.91 $3.50 $4.61
4 5.00 3.21 4.30
9 5.11 3.35 3.82
142 7.07 2.92 3.85
16 4.00 2.50 2.79
348
54
58
27
43
114
70
138
44
46
4
9
80
503 1,213
9.57
10.90
7.00
7.15
8.93
8.00
9.98
10.39
3.50
5.00
7.80
8.12
8.99
2.16
2.26
1.36
1.89
1.41
.99
1.82
1.50
2.50
2.50
3.36
4.64
3.48
2
1
8
1
10
4.95
5.34
4.20 * 2
4.25
1
4.33
3
4.22
4
1
5.27
2
4.85
2.58
3.44
5.14
5.50
4.17
13
3
1
5
2
3
10
3
4
37
6
1
1
2
1
99 *28* 12
5 1
42
1
1
1
6
1
1
79
13
35
5
11
11
11
8
1
6
4
5
2
28
34
33
22
13
2
1
7 221
8 17
25
7
15
43
3
36
7
25
2
85
4
9
45
6
22 *12 *
335 441 212
3
4
9
4
6
6
2
2
‘ 4
1
\1
>7
6
1
3
....
1
1
78
26
23
2
542
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR.
T a b l e I .— W E E K L Y EARNINGS OF CH ILD REN UNDER 16 Y E A R S OP AG E.
B Y INDUSTRIES AND ESTABLISHM ENTS— Continued.
NEW YORK.
Artificial
flowers
and feathers........
Artificial flowers,
materials for.......
Blank hooks...........
Carpets...................
Coffee cleaning___
Confectionery.......
Cooperage..............
Cordage, twine, etc
Cotton g o o d s.........
Department store...
Dress trimmings,
embroidery, etc ..
Drugs, wholesale...
D ry good s...............
Handkerchiefs. . . . .
Knit g ood s............ .
Laundry .................
Men’s furnishings..
Men’s furnishings
and laundry........
Paper boxes............
Paper boxes, bags,
envelopes, e t c ___
Pearl buttons..........
Pianoforte actions..
Tailoring.................
Underwear andbedding......................
Wall paper..............
Women’s belts and
skirt bindings___
Women’s neckwear,
laces, e t c ..............
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
1
1
2
14
3
15
4
46
9
7
72
141
1
2
9
9
36
17
47
7
11
2
48
13
14
5
72
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
5
33
92
1
2
34
3
54
55
56
1
22
2
22
57
58
59
60
13
1
21
1
61
62
10
5
4
T ota l.
61
55
3
11
1
538
14
47
7
46
5.00
5.76
7.50
3.50
3.75
3.54
5.00
20
6.00
1
9 4.60
120 6.25
154 4.50
15 4.00
7 3.50
81 5.00
3.91
3.82 .... 3
3.85
2.76
11
3.26 .... 2
3.08
4.12
4.17
1
3.72
4.09
’ io ‘
1
3.08
10
2.92
3.00
1
49
2 .66
25 4.87
33 4.00
153 6.00
55 5.86
8 5.70
15 6.75
35 3.75
5 4.00
3.00
3.00
2.50
1.80
3.75
2.50
3.00
3.00
3.56
3.12
24
3.10
3.26 ” 3* 22
4.60
4.10 .... 1
3.40
3.20
6.70
7.82
4.00
2.95
3.00
2.71
4.54 ....
3.42
3.39 ....
4.50
7.25
2.00
3.00
3.00
5.00
2.73
6.04
3.60
5.25
12
51
21
23
82
6
8
26
5
39
1
1
....
3.00
2.78
3.50
2.50
2.75
3.00
3.50
3.00
1.80
2.40
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.25
60
6
21
2
6.00
5.50
12
6.00
2.50
3.50
2.78 ....
4.58
19
19
5.14
3.00
3.30
11
12
4.00
2.50
3.15 ___
14 3.00
637 1,175
7
6
6
38
10
45
7
2
11
6
17
42
147
3
6
26
17
29
112
15
2
9
35
4
66
2
4
26
11
1
15
2
14
63
64
20
1 $2.70 $2.70 $2.70
1 3.00 3.00 3.00
2 6.25 2.50 3.38
7
2
4 180
7
3
4
16
2
8
2
713 193
61
21
a Not including 42 persons working Saturdays only at 50 cents per day, and 13 persons working
Saturdays only at from 75 cents to $1 per day.
5Not including 37 persons working Saturdays only at 50 cents per day, and 12 persons working
Saturdays only at from 75 cents to $1 per day.
cNot including 79 persons working Saturdays only at 50 cents per day, and 25 persons working
Saturdays only at from 75 cents to 31 per day.
543
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES,
T able
I.—W EEKLY EARNINGS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE,
BY INDUSTRIES AND ESTABLISHMENTS—Continued.
NEW JERSEY.
Children under 16 Earnings per
Number earning per weekweek.
years of age.
Estab$2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7
lishUn or
or
or or or or
ment Male. Fe Total. High Low Aver der un un un un un un , $8
or
est. est. age. $2. der der der der der der over.
male.
No.
$3. $4. $5. $6. $7. $8.
Industry.
Bakery, cracker___
Cigars......................
Electric wire and
c a b le....................
Electric wire and
cable,
clerical
force ....................
Electrical supplies..
Glass bottles............
Glass bottles and
druggists’ special
ties ........................
Glass bottles and
window glass.......
H atbands...............
Linen thread,twine,
and yarn s............
Paper boxes............
Pottery....................
Silk finishing and
d y e in g .................
Silk goods, broad...
Silk goods, broad
and r ibbon ..........
Silk goods, throw n.
66
22
2
126
67
7
5
68
11
65
69
70
71
72
47
52
80
92
73
111
74
75
91
2
76
77
78
79
43
8
9.00
$2.50 $2.84
2.00 8.19
....
1
11 3.00
55 5.16
52 11.14
80 4.50
92 5.35
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.48
2.82
3.00
3.53
3.75
8.52
3.64
10
41
43
79
73
45
64
il l
i
11
3.27
2
3.42
4.40
3.42
3.40
3.42
3.90
8
10
83
5
7
3
126
13
17
17
6.55
4.14
4.16
6.33
2.50
3.00
1.00
2.50
4.18
3.31
3.16
3.94
80
81
82
2
2
6
2
2
5
4
4
11
3.00
6.33
3.35
2.00
3.30
2.88
2.63
4.41
3.09
83
84
85
13
64
a 77
5.00
5.00
5.00
4.00
7.57
2.50
1.50
3.58
3.32 * 3
3
3.00
2.30
3.82
3.32
T ota l___
51
72
783
6
4
9
103
26
7
31
51
175
6.00
91
3
4
1
1.00 3.00
2.00 2.68
434 «1,217
3
2
2
6
13
4
*i9
26
7
222
2
8.... 1
1 1 8 1
4.78
91
4
20
3
22
7
30
2.50
2.76
14
13
74
12 6.00
4.50
86
87
88
Soap.................
Thread, cotton
22 $4.00
128
55
10
9
4
14
12 2
3
2
1
8 1
1
r**
2
1
4
1
26
3
4
9
39
2
2
2
1 2
1
5
8
24
10 7 2
2 1 1
8 4
29
3
19
7
7
2
3
4
733 146
83
14
4
7
4
6
6 12 11 6
22 23 4
1 1 1
7 1
24
7
3
1
22 11
17 17
13 2 5
26 34
6
36
8
9 *3
6 28 30 1
2
48
5 4 2
20 15 5 16
36 12 2 1
8 6
138 46 14
4
37 11 1
114 22
21 69
76 147 66 12
1 4
45 17
1 10 12 2
3
36
119
5
P E N N S Y L V A N IA .
Artificial flowers. . .
Cigars......................
Coal breakers
__
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
Confectionery.........
Corks........................
Cotton and woolen
goods....................
Department store...
Glass bottles, etc___
Glass tableware, etc.
H osiery...................
Iron and steel.........
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
4
48
52
16
40
8
34
34
57
66
44
21
65
36
12
57
43
6
13
76
262
<*90
240
29
/ 27
11 a l l $3.41
331 6335 4.50
27
27 7.80
48 8.64
52 5.40
16 5.13
40 7.29
8 4.37
34 6.60
34 4.32
57 5.15
66 5.64
44 5.13
21 4.56
65 6.60
36 3.66
48
60 6.00
25 c 82 11.65
11
8
440
69
29
65
92
a 54
14
453
145
291
<*90
<?305
* 121
/ 27
6.50
4.50
7.00
5.00
4.50
4.80
9.30
6.00
8.48
$1.50 $2.61
2 3
2.00 2.38
68
2
1.80 4.97 * " i
2.97 4.89 ....
9
3
2.97 3.97
2.20 2.93
13
3.24 4.07
5
2.93 3.47
3.96 4.18
3.72 4.02
2.52 3.10
37
3.30 4.26
3.24 3.84
2.88 3.30
9
3.30 4.94
1.74 2.28 13 21
1
2.50 3.41
2.48 4.42 .... 21
3.00
3.00
2.50
2.50
2.00
3.60
3.00
3.00
3.60
3.73
3.61
3.00 __ 249
96
2.81
2.83
155
3.96
4.56
3.50
5.09
3
14
4
3
a Including 3 persons, earnings not reported.
b Including 250 persons, earnings not reported.
o Including 1 person, earnings not reported.
<*Not including 1 person working Saturdays only, at 60 cents per day.
« Including 54 persons, earnings not reported.
/N o t including 2 persons working Saturdays only at 71 cents per hour.
2
2
1
1
3
2
1
2
i
i
544
T able
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
I.—W EEKLY EARNINGS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE,
BY INDUSTRIES AND ESTABLISHMENTS—Continued.
P E N N S Y L V A N IA —Concluded.
Earnings per
Number earning per week—
week.
Estab$2 $3 $4 $5 $6 87
lishor or or or 88
or
or
ment Male. Fe Total. High Low Aver Un
un
un un un un or
der
No.
male.
est. est. age. 82. der un
der der der der der over.
83. $4. 85. $6. $7. 88.
Children under 16
years of age.
Industry.
Iron and steel........
Lace goods, tapes
try, etc..................
Leather and leath
er goods, g lov es..
Pickles, preserves,
etc
Shipbuilding___
Silk goods, throw
Silk goods, thrown
and broad............
Structural ir o n .
Woolen and worsted
goods....................
Woolenand worsted
yarns....................
116
27
23
a50 $7.50 $2.99 $4.82
117
118
119
6
16
25
18
22 8.71
629 3.00
021 6.00
120
121
122
62
2
16
185
65
4
3
123
124
125
11
4
1
33
24
72
126
127
128
129
130
17
105
136
185
69
488
131
54
64
132
133
7
24
63
T otal.
20
20
1
2.31
3.00
3.00
4.52
3.00
4.69
<*64 11.06
3.24
4.85
81
185
44
28
73
2.70
2.50
1.50
3.55
4.91
2.48
5.05
6.00
4.50
3.75
4.25
<*86 6.11
__
1
2
5
24
60
13
16
51
28
331
13
1
8
38
6
39
53
63
3
12
ii 20
18
3.26 __ii 6
6
17
4
34
145
5
12 1
10
66 1
2.00
4.50
2.77
2.77
3.06
3.12
5.66
5.07
5.68
118
6.00
2.50
3.45
19
67
23
31
83
4.00
2.50
3.00
3.13
4.08
12
14
48
5
34
15
44
Cotton duck, twine,
and r o p e ............ .
Department store...
Glass bottles.......... .
Men’s clothing and
furnishings..........
T obacco................. .
134
135
136
1
2
104 /105 $8.30 $1.50 $3.57
3
7
19
137
138
139
140
141
49
13
44
6
56
142
143
144
39
T otal.
84
39
1
50
287
9
22
3
28
31
5.00 2.26
4.68. 1.50
3.19
2.25 ***7
3
13
5
10 22
4.62
4.20
9
17
37
59
....
....
1.85
2
93
24
62
84
41
1.20
2.00' 1.50
3.45 1 2.15
4.00j 2.52
2.53
2.04
1.70
2.47
2.93
286
3
19
325
4
69
6.50' 1.25
3.88 3.24
4.35 2.36
2.61
3.59
2.92
11
551 / 838
2
25
82
19
58 171
1
21
15
4
58
4
17
28
50
131 452
164
52
2
N O R T H C A R O L IN A .
Cordage, yarn, etc.
Cotton g o od s.........
Cotton yarns.
Furniture___
Men’s cloth ing.
Tobacco ............
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
158
154
155
156
157
158
T o ta l.
17
2
366
16 $3.60 $1.80 $2.65
29 3.73 1.15 2.55
125 6.40 1.20 2.69
55 5.81 1.44 2.85
.90 2.76
48 4.50
3.03
31 5.35 1.
46 4.32 1.20 2.17
31 5.04 1.50 3.38
44 4.52 1.44 2.78
8 4.20 1.20 2.29
2 2.50 2.50 2.50
1.40 2.93
17 4.
5 2.70 1.50 1.92
3
1.20 2.97
252 fir618
614
461 01,075
19
68
26
23
8
24
15
27
8
2
3
3
21
4
11
8
17
2
21
108 331
o Including 2 persons, earnings not reported.
b Including 24 persons, earnings not reported.
e Including 13 persons earnings not reported.
d Including 1 person, earnings not reported.
e Including 353 persons, earnings not reported.
/In clu d in g 14 persons, earnings not reported.
o Including 305 persons, earnings not reported.
11
1
2
21 1
4
265
56
1
2
3
24
9
26
3
9
16
23
5
43
50
11
3
33 973 1,486 853 362 233
2,243 2,143 e4,386
3
2 1
2
8 1
M ARYLAND.
Cigarsand cigarettes
Clothing furnish
ings ....................
3
10 16
2
21 ts
1
20 2
508 5.50
105 10.80
136 12.96
186 10.38
6.00
1.50
14
7
5
1
11
2.00 2.68
2.25
10
21
545
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
T a b l e I.—W E E K L Y EARNINGS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 Y EAR S OF AGE,
B Y INDUSTRIES AND ESTABLISHMENTS—Continued.
S O U T H C A R O L IN A .
Industry.
Cotton goods..........
Cotton yam s..........
Children under 16
Earnings per
Number earning per week—
years of age.
week.
Estab32 33
34 35 36 37
lishor or
or or or or 38
ment Male. Fe Total. High Low Aver Un
est. est. age. der un un un un un un or
male.
No.
32. der der der der der der over.
33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
Total..............
90
38
17
40
88
19
37
49
145
50
103
19
39
87 a 155
78
168
64
26
14
31
448
382 a 830
48
18
96
53
20
68
33.90 30.60
5.40 1.49
5.76
.90
4.15 1.20
5.78
.90
5.97
.96
5.39
.60
4.79 1.16
3.60 1.44
32.29
2.48
2.80
2.45
2.81
3.17
2.39
2.26
2.34
33
36
17
52
59
16
19 37
52 78
20 39
19
7
64
5
23
i
8 20
9
72
36
4
3
195 354
235
36
9
10
22
8
23
2 1
3
3
21 1
!.......
3
1 1
1
G E O R G IA .
ALABAMA.
Cotton g ood s..........
Cotton y a m s ..........
Knit g o o d s..............
183
184
185
186
T ota l..............
54
13
25
59
15
24
23
10
102 121
113 35.72 30.55
28 3.00 1.20
i49 4.80
.63
33 4.20
.90
32.13
2.14
2.14
1.99
J223
51
14
24
39
5
15
7
22
111 66
22
1
9
7
3
3
41
4
1
75
67
32
73
19
4
63
5
3
23
1
1
.......
i
1
j
i
W ISC O N SIN .
Brewing, bottling
departm ent.........
Confectionery.........
Department store...
Paper boxes............
Tobacco...................
187
188
189
190
191
192
T ota l..............
195
117
52
42
32
33
6
20 120
28
9
366
288
247 37.80 33.00" 35.73
159 5.50 3.00 3.98
32 4.00 2.50 2.74
39 4.00 2.00 2.32
140 4.25 2.50 3.11
37 8.44
.96 4.15
654
23
32
54
‘ s' 4
5 113
12
52
11 6
222 143 37
4
1
56
77
8 1
76
1
1
a Including 1 person, earnings not reported.
b Not including 6 persons working only on Saturdays, holidays, etc., at from 40 to 50 cents per day.
0 Including 2 persons receiving no pay, but not including 6 persons working only on Saturdays, etc.
d Including 2 persons, earnings not reported.
e Including 1 person receiving no pay.
/N o t including 6 persons employed after school, Saturdays, etc., at various rates.
{/Not including 5 persons employed after school, Saturdays, etc., at various rates,
ftNot including 11 persons employed after school, Saturdays, etc., at various rates, but including
4 persons, earnings not reported.
^Including 3 persons receiving no pay, and 5 persons, earnings not reported.
1 Including 1 person working half time.
8674—No. 52—04----- 5
546
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I.— W E E K L Y EARNINGS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 Y E A R S OF AGE,
B Y INDUSTRIES AND ESTABLISHMENTS— Concluded.
IL L IN O IS .
M IS S O U R I.
Boots and shoes___
B rew ing......................
Department store...
T o b acco.......... ...........
Wooden boxes.........
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
T ota l..............
87
103
130
24
18
13
132
33
84
46 b 133
88 191
221
91
34
58
13
31
68 81
49 ol81
33
84
624
389 <*1,013
87.97 82.50
7.00 2.00
3.96 3.00
3.00 2.00
3 50 1.75
3.50 2.00
6.00 3.50
5.00 3.00
5.00 4.00
83.85
3.16
3.34
2.26
2.77
2.62
4.87
3.48
4.17
9
46
53
” *2 12
36
4
2
12 10 1
65
82
34
40
17
5
17
45
4
38
78
70
14
460 193
122
221
21 11 1
2 156
9
23
3
a Including 2 persons, earnings not reported; and 2 persons receiving no pay.
b Including 2 persons, earnings not reported.
c Including 52 persons, earnings not reported.
d Including 54 persons, earnings not reported.
T a b l e II.—OCCUPATIONS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 Y E A R S OF AGE, B Y
SE X AND INDUSTRY.
M ASSACH U SETTS.
[The occupations in each industry at which a comparatively large number of children were employed
are printed in italics; those at which only one child was employed are shown in the singular
number.]
BOOTS AND SHOES— ESTABLISHMENTS 1 AND 2.
CONFECTIONERY— ESTABLISHMENT 5.
Males: C hore bops, cleaner, dinker, heeler’s
helper, scallopers’ helpers, tier-up, welter.
Females: Chocolate dipper, m ach in e g irls , pack
ers, wrapper and packer.
BRUSHES— ESTABLISHMENT 3.
COTTON AND WORSTED GOODS— ESTABLISHMENT 6.
Males: Errand boys.
Females: Brush makers, p o lish ers.
CABPETS— ESTABLISHMENT 4.
Males: Card cutter, card feeder, card tenders,
creelers, errand boy, feeding preparer in card
room, slasher tender, spool boys, tiers-in.
Females: D offers , helpers in threading room,
sp in n e rs, threaders, twisters, w in d ers.
Males: B ack te n d ers o n m ules, ball winders, band
boys, bobbin se tte rs, cleaners, doffers, drawing
frame tenders, filling boys, filling steamer, har
ness brusher, harness stringer and cleaner, h elp
ers in b leachery, helpers in card room, helpers m
cloth room, h elp ers in d ry in g room , helper in dye
ing room, helper in engraving room, helper in
packing room, helpers in preparing room, helpers
m printing room, helpers in starch room, label
paster, marker in pacldng room, piecer, roving
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
Table
547
II.—OCCUPATIONS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY
SEX AND INDUSTRY—Continued.
M A S S A C H U S E T T S —Concluded.
[Theoccupations in each industryat which acomparativelylarge numberofchildrenwereemployed
are printed in italics; those at which only one child was employed are shown in the singular
number.]
COTTON AND WORSTED GOODS— ESTABLISHMENT 6—
concluded.
DEPARTMENT STORE—ESTABLISHMENT 14.
Males: Bundle boys, cash boys, delivery boy,
errand boys, examiner, stock boy.
Females: Bundle girls, cash girl, examiners.
boys, sewers, shearers, spinners, spooler, sweeper,
swing boy in drying room, twister-in, warpers,
watchman, wool sorter.
Females: B obbin se tte rs , cleaners, doffers, drawRUBBER GOODS, BOOTS— ESTABLISHMENT 15.
ers-in, drawing frame tender, filling winders,
ill box tender, harness stringers and cleaners,
notters in cloth room, sample card makers,
Males: Bookers of soles, calendrers’ helpers, c a r
scrubbers, shearers, sp in n e rs, spoolers, spooler and rie rs , chore boys, cloth winder, cutters, cutting
cleaner, sweepers, trimmers, twisters, warpers’
machine operator, heel shankers, heel trimmer,
helpers, weaver.
helpers in cutting department, office boys, sorter,
stripper in sole department.
COTTON GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 7 TO 13, INCLU
Females: Helper in packing department, mark
SIVE.
ers and strap makers.
f
Males: B ack te n d ers o n m ules, chain builder,
cle a n e rs , cleaner and sweeper, doffers , drawing
frame tender, errand boy, folding machine tender,
general helper, harness mender, helpers in fold
ing room, loom cleaner, office boy, oilers, ribbon
tender, roving boys, roving carriers, sewer in
cloth room, slasher tenders’ helper and sweeper,
sliver tender, sp in n e rs , spool carrier, sw eepers ,
sweeper and bobbin boy, tu b ers , tuber and sweeper,
waste machine operator, w eavers , yarn carrier.
Females: Cleaner, cloth inspectors, comber
tenders, cone winders, d offers, drawers-in, drawingframe tender, general helpers, harnessbrusher,
harness hands, quillers, sewer in cloth room,
speeder tenders, sp in n e rs , spoolers, sweepers,
w eavers.
WOOLEN GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 16 AND 17.
Males: Back tenders on mules, spinner.
Females: Bobbin winders, burlers, handers-in,
spooler, warp spool winders.
WORSTED GOODS— ESTABLISHMENT 18.
Males: Balling-head tenders, band boys, card
tenders, chain builder, doffers, fillin g c a b in boys,
filling winder, gill-box tender, r a il setters, roving
carriers, yarn carriers.
Females: Boss doffers, doffers, doublers, h an d e rsin , spinners, spoolers, twister, warper.
R H O D E IS L A N D .
B LE A C H IN G COTTON GOODS— ESTABLISHMENT
19.
Males: B leach house h an d s, book-fold k n o tters,
cloth g u id e rs o n d ry in g can s, errand boy, lap shak
ers, sewer, stenciler.
Females: B ook-fold k n o tters, yarding machine
operator.
CLOTHING, HATS, AND SHOES, RETAIL— ESTABLISH
MENT 20.
Males: C ash boys, errand boy, examiners, sales
boys.
Females: C ash g irls , sales girls.
COTTON GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 21 AND 22.
Males: Back tenders on mules, band boy and
spare hand, bobbin boys, can boy, card cleaners
and sweepers, doffers, loom cleaners, mule frame
cleaners, office boy, rin g fra m e clean ers, spinner,
sweepers, tubers.
Females: Doffers, speeder tenders, sp in n e rs,
sw eepers, tiers-in.
DYEING COTTON AND WOOLEN GOODS— ESTABLISH
MENT 24.
Males: Bleaching room hands, board paperer in
finishing department, cloth guiders on calen
dering machine, cloth guiders on drying cans,
cloth winders, office boy.
Females: ’ Bander.
HOSIERY AND KNIT GOODS— ESTABLISHMENT 26.
Males: Turners.
Females: Chore girls, to p p ers .
JEWELRY— ESTABLISHMENT 26.
Males: Messenger boy.
Females: Carder, setters-up and chargers, solderer.
SOAP AND WASHING POWDER— ESTABLISHMENT 27.
Males: Elevator boy, fille rs, nail setters on nail
ing machine, wrappers.
WORSTED YARNS— ESTABLISHMENT 28.
COTTON GOODS,
NARROW FABRICS—ESTABLISH
MENT 23.
Females: Drawers-in, eyelet stamper, packers
and tiers, spooler, sw eepers, tape examiner, tiers
and markers, tippers, trim m ers, weaver, winders.
Males: Bailer, bobbin boy, bobbin setters, boss
doffer, brush maker, doffers, machinist’ s appren
tice, office boy, spinner, yarn carriers.
Females: Bobbin setters, doffers, spinners,
twisters, winders.
548
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
Table II.—OCCUPATIONS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY
SEX AND INDUSTRY—Continued.
NEW YORK.
[The occupations in eachindustryat whichacomparativelylarge numberofchildrenwere employed
are printed in italics; those at which only one child was employed are shown in the singular
number.]
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS AND FEATHERS— ESTABLISH
MENTS 29, 30, AND 31.
Males: Flower-worker’ s helper.
Females: Bundler and errand girl, flower work
er, flower-worker’s helper.
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, MATERIALS FOR— ESTAB
LISHMENT 32.
Males: B uneU ers, dipper, mold spinners, thread
cutters, thread spanners.
BLANK BOOKS— ESTABLISHMENT 33.
Males: Chore boy, pasters.
Females: Sew ers, cabbers, varnisher and counter.
DRY GOODS— ESTABLISHMENT 48.
Males: Cash boys.
Females: Cash girls.
HANDKERCHIEFS— ESTABLISHMENT 49.
Females: Bobbin winders’ helpers, folders,
h elp ers in fin ish in g room , mangle feeder, sew ing
m ach in e o p erato rs, tearers, trimmers.
KNIT GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 50 AND 51.
Males: Brushers, general helper, spinner, spool
er, sweeper.
Females: Buttoners, errand girl in finishing de
partment, tiers, trim m ers, turners.
LAUNDRY— ESTABLISHMENT 52.
CARPETS— ESTABLISHMENT 34.
Males: Bobbin boys, breaking-machine opera
tors, doffers , oilers, sweepers.
Females: Bailer, breaking-machine operators,
cojp winder, d o ffers, h an k e rs , layers, spinners,
winders.
COFFEE CLEANING— ESTABLISHMENT 35.
Males: Pickers.
Females: Pickers.
CONFECTIONERY— ESTABLISHMENTS 36 AND 37.
Females: Date opener, lab elers, p a ck ers , tray
carriers, w rap p ers.
COOPERAGE— ESTABLISHMENT 38.
Males: Barrel finisher, b a rre l ro lle rs, hoop n a ile rs ,
hoop rounder, nail sorter, string boys, tally boy.
CORDAGE, TWINE, ETC.— ESTABLISHMENT 39.
Males: Bobbin boy, card boys, tru c k boys.
Females: Doffers.
COTTON GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 40 AND 41.
Males: B ack ten d e rs on m ules , carder, cleaners,
d o ffers , doubling-machine tender, harness clean
ers, oilers, railway hands, roller coverer’s assist
ant, roving carriers, spinners, spool carrier,
spooler, sweeper and errand boy, twisters-in, tub
ers, weavers, yam carrier.
Females: Cloth inspector, doffers, drawers-in,
drawing frame tenders, ring spinners, sp in n e rs,
sp o o lers, sweepers, twister, weavers.
DEPARTMENT STORE— ESTABLISHMENTS 42, 43,
44, AND 45.
Males: Assistant bookkeepers, bundle boys, cash
boys, errand boys, office boy, slip sorters in audit
ing department, stock boys, truck boy.
Females: Adding-machine operators, b u n d le
irls, cash g irls , cloakroom girl, errand girls,
elper in millinery department, sales girls, sales
and cash girls, slip sorters in auditing depart
ment, stock girls.
g
DRESS TRIMMINGS, EMBROIDERY, ETC.— ESTABLISH
MENT 46.
Males: Braiding-machine cleaner, braidingmachine operators, office boys.
Females: Braiding-machine operators, clerk,,
embroidery-frame operator, embroidery-frame
watchers, e rra n d g irls , general helpers, menders,
packer, ribbon winders, sample-card maker, sew
ing-machine operator, spooler, tipper.
Males: Office boy.
Females: Bundle tier, collar shaper, d am p
en ers, ironing machine feeders, p u lle rs, work
distributors.
MEN’S FURNISHINGS— ESTABLISHMENT 63.
Males: Tab turners.
Females: Assistant overseer, buttonhole maker,
hem turner.
MEN’S FURNISHINGS AND LAUNDRY— ESTABLISH
MENTS 54 AND 55.
Males: Belt boy, box closer, counter, errand
boy, office boy, sorters, stringers, tab turner,
work distributor.
Females: Bundle makers, b u n d lers, buttonhole
trimmers, collar straighteners, d am p en ers, damp
ening machine feeder, edge ironers, errand girl,
examiner of mended work, examiners, g arm e n t
tu rn e rs , general helpers, pasters, presser, seam
dampeners, seam turners, shapers, sorters, stamp
er, tab steamer, tab turners, tip ironers, turner m
box department.
PAPER BOXES— ESTABLISHMENT 56.
Males: Wagon boys.
Females: E d g e tu rn e rs .
PAPER BOXES, BAGS, ENVELOPES, ETC.— ESTABLISH
MENT 57.
Males: Chore boys, counters, errand boys, paper
straightener, printing and card cutting machme
operator, sweepers, time card keeper, wagon boy.
Females: Box nester, co u n ters, creasers, duster,
isinglass stripper, labeler, metal bender on cigar
ette cases, opener, piler, putters-in of tin fasteners,
rubber in embossing department, stampers of tin
fasteners, tassel tier.
PEARL BUTTONS— ESTABLISHMENT 58.
Males: Chuck cleaner and errand boy.
Females: C ard ers, labeler.
PIANOFORTE ACTIONS— ESTABLISHMENT 59.
Males: Clamper wirer, flanch pinners, flanch
springer, fia n c h strin g e rs, gluers, hammer wirer*,
rail pinner, streight tubers, string pointer, tongue
stringer.
TAILORING— ESTABLISHMENT 60.
Males: Errand boy.
Females: Baster.
UNDERWEAR AND BEDDING— ESTABLISHMENT 61.
Females: Errand girls, labelers, p illo w case fo ld
ers, ruffle maker, thread drawer on pillowcases.
DRUGS, WHOLESALE— ESTABLISHMENT 47.
WALL PAPER— ESTABLISHMENT 62.
Males: Bottle filler, clerks, copyists, e rra n d boys,
mail carrier and errand boy, packer, unpackers,
weighers.
Males: B ack te n d e rs o n p r in tin g m ach in e, bundle
marker, stick placer.
Females: Heeler on hand machine, roll lapper.
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES,
549
Table II.—OCCUPATIONS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY
SEX AND INDUSTRY—Continued.
NEW YORK—
Concluded.
[The occupationsineachindustryatwhichacomparativelylarge numberof childrenwereemployed
are printed in italics; those at which only one child was employed are shown in the singular
number.]
WOMEN’S BELTS AND SKIRT BINDINGS— ESTABLISH
MENT 63.
Females; Coil pinner, cutter and trimmer, er
rand girls, labelers, label stamper, reeler, sew ing
m ach in e o p e ra to rs’ h elp ers, stock clerk, telephone
operator.
WOMEN’S NECKWEAR, LACES, ETC.— ESTABLISH
MENT 64.
Males: Office boy.
Females: Floor or errand girls.
NEW JERSEY.
BAKERY, CRACKER— ESTABLISHMENT 65.
Males: Cracker machine operators’ helpers.
CIGARS—ESTABLISHMENT 66.
Males: Box opener, stock boy.
Females: Banders and labelers, bunch m akers,
c ig a r ro lle rs , labelers, packers, strip p e rs.
ELECTRIC WIRE AND CABLE— ESTABLISHMENT 67.
Males: Bobbin carriers, cotton spooler,messenger
boys, winding machine operator, wire spooler.
Females: Cotton spoolers, wire guider on insu
lating machine, wire insulating machine operator,
wire wrapping machine operator.
ELECTRIC WIRE AND CABLE, CLERICAL FORCEESTABLISHMENT 68.
Males: Messengers.
ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES— ESTABLISHMENT 69.
Males: A ssem blers, battery sealers, edge trimmer
of zinc cups, errand boys, g en e ra l helpers, nut
threader, paper cup bottomer, screw threading
machine operator, stock boys, storeroom boy,
tapper and threader, wrapper, zinc cup knurler.
Females: Battery relay winder, coil coverer,
general helper, m ag n et w in d ers.
PAPER BOXES— ESTABLISHMENT 77.
Males: B u n d le rs, riveting machine operator.
Females: Box strippers, closers and bundlers,
coverer’s helper.
POTTERY— ESTABLISHMENTS 78 AND 79.
Males: Dippers’ helpers, draw kiln boy, handle
makers, m old ru n n e rs, potters’ apprentices, wad
carrier.
Females: Brasher, gilder, p r in t c u tte rs, print
transferrer, stamper.
SILK FINISHING a ND DYEING— ESTABLISHMENT 80.
Males: Chore boy, office boy.
Females: Muffler folders.
SILK GOODS, BROAD— ESTABLISHMENTS 81 AND 82.
Males: Bobbin boy, bobbin carriers, handers-in
and drawers-in, quill boy, sweeper and bobbin
cleaner.
Females: Doubler, h a n d e rs-in a n d d ra w e rs-in ,
redrawers, reed stitcher.
SILK
GOODS,
BROAD AND RIBBON— ESTABLISH
MENT 83.
Males: Blowers’ apprentices, carriers-in, m old
sh u tte rs, m old sh u tte rs a n d sn a p p e rs-u p , sn a p p ers-u p .
Males: B obbin bays, bordering machine oper
ators’ helpers, drying machine operator, drying
machine operator’s helper, helper in finishing de
partment, office boy, ribbon measurers.
Females: E d g e w a rp e rs, helper in warping room,
q u ill w in d ers, redrawer, ribbon cleaner, ribbon
folders, ribbon pickers, rib b d n w a rp e rs, w in d ers.
GLASS BOTTLES AND DRUGGISTS’ SPECIALTIES—
ESTABLISHMENT 73.
SILK GOODS, THROWN— ESTABLISHMENTS 84, 85,
AND 86.
Males: Blow boys, c a rrie rs -in , file boys, knockers-off, m old sh u tte rs, sn a p p ers-u p .
sp in n e rs.
GLASS BOTTLES— ESTABLISHMENTS 70, 71, AND 72.
GLASS BOTTLES AND WINDOW GLASS— ESTABLISH
MENT 74.
Males: B obbin boys, doffers, reelers, skein lacers.
Females:.Doubler, -opener's helper, sk ein lacers,
w in d ers .
SOAP— ESTABLISHMENT 87.
Males: Carriers-in, m old sh u tte rs a n d sn a p p ers-u p .
HAT BANDS—ESTABLISHMENT 75.
Males: Singeing machine operator, weaver’s
helper and errand boy.
Females: Quill winder, ribbon picker.
Males: Circular sorter, cutter, cu tte rs’ helpers,
drying frame tender, errand boy, labeler’s helper,
office boys, p a ck ers, p ac k e rs’ help ers, pressers,
pressers’ helpers, press feeder and cleaner, press
tender, tray carriers, tray duster.
THREAD, COTTON— ESTABLISHMENT 88.
LINEN THREAD, TWINE, AND YARNS—ESTABLISH
MENT 76.
Males: Bobbin boy, h ack lin g m ach in e feed ers,
office boy, press feeder and label cutter, tape
sewers, thread polishing machine operator, twine
knotter.
Females: Ball paperer, bobbin carrier, bobbin
cleaners, bobbin setter, bobbin winder, boss doffer,
can carrier, doffers, drawing frame tenders, end
layers, label cutters, ro v in g m ach in e ten d ers, spin
ners, spool labelers, spool polisher, tow spreader,
tube labeler, twine knotters.
Males: Bobbin boy, creelers, errand boy, fly boys,
lap carriers, picker tender, spool stamping ma
chine operator, waste machine operator, yarn
bundle makers, yam bundle strappers, yarn
weighers.
Females: B obbin clean ers, bobbin g irls , bobbin
packer, bobbin winders, b o x p ile rs, can carriers in
carding room,card tenders,darningcotton winder,
doffers, edge turners in box department, ena
piecer, errand g ir l, fram e clean ers, number cutter,
reeler, speeder tenders, spinners, spool box wrap
per, spool girl, spool wrapper, spooler, sw eepers.
550
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Table II.—OCCUPATIONS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY
SEX AND INDUSTRY—Continued.
P E N N S Y L V A N IA .
[The occupationsin eachindustryat which acomparativelylargenumberof childrenwere employed
are printed in italics; those at which only one child was employed are shown in the singular
number.]
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS— ESTABLISHMENT 80.
IRON AND STEEL— ESTABLISHMENTS 115 AND 116.
Females: Flower makers.
Males: Bolt nutter, bolt p o in te rs, die carrier,
errand boy, h an d -o v ers, harrow tooth header,
laborers, nut tappers, office boy, packer, piler,
CIGARS— ESTABLISHMENTS 90 AND 91.
Males: Banders.
Females: Banders, bun ch m ak ers, c ig a r ro lle rs,
packers, strippers.
COAL— ESTABLISHMENTS 92 TO 104, INCLUSIVE.
Males: Car coupler, car runner, door tender,
drivers, head men, office boy, oilers, sla te p ick ers,
switchman, weighers.
sp a re boys, th re a d cu tters.
Females: B o lt n u tte rs, counters, piler, table girl,
wrappers.
LACE GOODS, TAPESTRY, ETC.— ESTABLISHMENTS
117, 118, AND 119.
Males: B obbin th re a d e rs, errand boy, helpers in
pattern room, office boy, stock boy.
Females: Edger, k n o tters, lace c u rta in fin ish e rs,
spoolers, winder, wrapper.
CONFECTIONERY— ESTABLISHMENT 105.
. Males: E m ployees in chocolate room , employee in
cocoa room, errand boys, filler, helpers in print
ing department.
Females: Box makers, chocolate d ip p e rs, dippers,
errand girl, fillers, labeler, p ack ers, w rap p ers.
CORKS— ESTABLISHMENT 106.
Males: Carriers, errand boy, general employees,
. p u n ch ers, steam box tender, strip facer, w ood
h a n d le rs.
Females: S o rters, taperers.
COTTON AND WOOLEN GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 107
AND 108.
Males: B obbin boys, chain fasteners, clerk,
errand boy, floor boy, h a n d e rs-in , harness boys,
helper in filling department, office boy, sample
makers, sweepers, wareroom boy.
Females: Back tenders on windering machine,
bobbin girls, sample makers, selvage trim m ers,
sweepers, twister, winder, winder’s helper.
DEPARTMENT STORE— ESTABLISHMENTS 109,
AND 111.
110,
Males: Carrier, cash boys, clerks, delivery boys,
e rra n d boys, exchange boy, general helper,
helpers in auditing department, helper in button
hole department, inspectors, office boys, sample
boys, sign writer, stock boys, wrapper.
Females: C ash g irls , cashiers, clerks, errand
girls, exchange girls, helpers in auditing depart
ment, in sp e c to rs, m illin e r s’ a p p ren tices, office g irls ,
stock g irls .
GLASS BOTTLES, ETC.— ESTABLISHMENT 112.
Males: Carriers-in, m old sh u tte rs.
GLASS TABLEWARE, ETC.— ESTABLISHMENT 113.
Males: C a rrie rs -in , carrie rs-o v er, k n ockers-off,
m old cleaners, mold holders, m old sh u tters, pack
ers, pan fillers, polisher, takers-off, tumbler fin
ishers, tumers-out, w arm ers-in , water boys.
Females: Carrier, clean ers, decorators, dusters,
finisher, mold fitters, p a ck ers, paperer, shiners and
paperers, taker-off, timekeeper’ snelper,unpacker,
washers, w ipers-.
HOSIERY— ESTABLISHMENT 114.
Males: Belt tighteners, o ilers, packers, sorters
and turners, truck boys, tu rn e rs .
Females: E x a m in e rs , g e n e ra l helpers, k n itters,
k n itte rs' h elp ers , loopers, office girls, presser-off,
printers and boxers, sorters, stamper and boxer,
sweeper, toppers, toppers’ helpers.
LEATHER AND LEATHER GOODS, GLOVES—ESTAB
LISHMENT 120.
Males: Errand boys, glazers, measurer’s helper,
p u tte rs-o u t , sk in h an g ers, stampers-in, glove fas
tener, stock boys, trimmers, truck boys, weighers’
helpers.
Females: End fasteners.
PICKLES, PRESERVES, ETC.—ESTABLISHMENT 121.
Males: C orking m ach in e h a n d s, general em
ployee, messenger boy, office boy, packer, printing
press feeders, rack makers.
Females: Bottle passers, b o ttlers, can cleaner,
catsup filler, g e n e ra l em ployees, helper at corking
table, labelers, lab elers a n d w rap p e rs, spare girls.
SHIPBUILDING— ESTABLISHMENT 122.
Males: F itte rs ' h elp ers, messenger boys, office
boys, riv e t h eaters, riv e t p a sse rs.
SILK GOODS, THROWN— ESTABLISHMENTS 123, 124,
AND 125.
Males: Bobbin boys, g e n e ra l em ployees, general
helper, skein lacer, reelers.
Females: Doublers, general employees, skein
lacers, matcher, pickers, quiller, reelers, sampler,
sp in n e rs, tw isters, w in d ers.
SILK GOODS, THROWN AND BROAD— ESTABLISH
MENTS 126 AND 127.
Males: Apprentices, bobbin boys, card cutters,
general employees, picker, quiller, tw isters, waste
sorters, waste sorters and errand boys, winders.
Females: D oublers, general helpers, matcher,
p ick ers, quillers, reelers, sk ein la cers, sp in n e rs,
throwers, tw isters, warpers’ helpers, w eavers,
w in d ers.
STRUCTURAL IRON— ESTABLISHMENTS 128, 129,
AND 130.
Males: Apprentices, assistant bookkeeper, bail
ers, bar counter, bell boys, bell sc rap e rs, bolt nut
ters, buggy runners, ch ain m ak ers' helpers, chem
ists’ helpers, clerk, core maker, coupling boys,
cover boys, crane boys, greaser, hammer driver,
helpers in b o lt fa c to ry , h elp ers in la b o ra to ry , hoist
boy, horse-hookers, inspector, lever boys, machine
hands, markers, measurers’ helpers, m essenger
boys, motor runner, office boys, pipe off-layers,
paint boy, pipe rollers, p u lle rs-u p , puncher, re
corder, regulator, rivet boys, rivet neaters, rod
cutters, screw cutter, seaver boys; sheet counters,
shipping clerks, stamper, stencilers, store boy,
teasers, teste rs' h elp ers, ticket boy, tube cutters,
w a te r boys, weighers.
Females: Stenographer.
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
T able
551
II.—OCCUPATIONS OP CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OP AGE, BY
SEX AND INDUSTRY—Continued.
PENNSTTI.VANIA—
Concluded.
[The occupations ineachindustryat which acomparativelylargenumberof childrenwereemployed
are printed in italics; those at which only one child was employed are shown in the singular
number.]
WOOLEN AND WORSTED GOODS— ESTABLISH
MENT 131.
WOOLEN AND WORSTED YARNS—ESTABLISHMENTS
132 AND 133.
Males: Band boys, bobbin boys, carders, creelers,
errand boy, h a n d e rs-in , office boys, oilers, packer,
p ie c e rs, roller cutter, roving carriers, sweepers,
Males: Band boys, bobbin boys, carders, doffers,
oilers, press boy, tape boy, truck boys.
Females: Bobbin girls, doffers , examiner, reelers, roving carrier, roving frame tenders, sp in n e rs,
spoolers, sw eepers, twisters.
tape boy, waste sorters.
Females: Bobbin girls, doffers, finishing ma
chine tender, general helper, piecer, rail setters,
speeder tender, sp o o lers, sweepers, twisters,
w in d ers.
M ARYLAND*
CIGARS AND CIGARETTES— ESTABLISHMENT 134.
GLASS BOTTLES— ESTABLISHMENTS 140 AND 141.
Males: Bunch maker.
Females: Banding machine operators^ bunch
m ak ers, cigarette machine operators, cigarette
rackers, c ig a r ro lle rs, h a n d strip p e rs , machine
strippers, stamp pasters, w rap p ers.
Males: Bottle washer, cam riers-in, firer, g rin d e rs ,
knockers-off, m old sh u tters, sn a p p e rs-u p , spare boys,
stopper filer, stopper tiers.
Females: Cork fitters.
CLOTHING FURNISHINGS—ESTABLISHMENTS 135
AND 136.
MEN’S CLOTHING AND FURNISHINGS— ESTABLISH
MENT 142.
Males: Cutters, cutter and errand boy, stamper,
stock boy.
Females: Batting tackers, pad examiner, pad
m ak ers, p a d p in n e rs, p a d trim m ers, sewing ma
chine operator.
Males: Creasers, cutter, damping machine help
ers, e rra n d boys, examiner, press boy in printing
department, sew ing m ach in e o p e ra to rs, spreaders’
helpers, tape cutter, ticket stampers, trimmer,
truck boy.
Females: Bobbin winders, box taper, b ox tier,
box wrapper, bundlers, card maker, creasers,
damping machine feeders, damping machine
helpers, errand girls, ex am in ers, ironing machine
helpers, paper box maker, record keepers, sew ing
m ach in e o p e ra to rs, starching machine feeders,
starching machine helpers, trim m ers.
COTTON DUCK, TWINE, AND ROPE— ESTABLISHMENTS
137 AND 138.
Males: Band boy, bobbin boy, bobbin boy and
sweeper, boss doffers, doffers, doublers in rope
room, drawing frame tenders, filling winders,
former in rope room, oilers, reeler, roving boy,
sin g le rs in ro p e ro o m , sw eepers, truck boys.
Females: D offers, fillin g w in d ers, spinners, spool
ers, sweepers, tiers-m.
TOBACCO— ESTABLISHMENTS 143 AND 144.
DEPARTMENT STORE— ESTABLISHMENT 139.
Males: Carrier, errand boy, flake catcher, pack
er, p re ss boys in tin d ep artm en t, p re ss boys? h elp ers in
Males: Bundle and errand boy, cash boys.
Females: C ash g irls , ex am in ers a n d w rap p ers.
Females: B ox w ip ers in tin d ep artm en t, labelers,
stamp pasters.
tin d e p artm en t.
N O R T H C A R O L IN A .
CORDAGE, YARNS, ETC.— ESTABLISHMENT 145.
Males: Doffers, inspectors, yam carriers.
Females: S p in n e rs.
COTTON GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 146 TO 150, IN
CLUSIVE.
FURNITURE— ESTABLISHMENTS 154, 155, AND 156.
Males: Cutting machine feeder, filler spreader,
gluers, off-bearers, sand paperers, upholsterers,
vamishers.
MEN’S CLOTHING— ESTABLISHMENT 157.
Males: Band boys, band makers, bobbin car
riers, doffers, doffer and spinner, drawing frame
tenders, loom cleaners, machine stitcher, oiler,
quiller, spinners, stitcher in cloth room, sw eepers,
sweeper and water carrier, twisters, water ooy,
weavers.
Females: Bobbin untangler, cloth tackers, doff
ers, drawers-in, inspectors, sp in n e rs, spoolers,
twister, weavers.
COTTON YARNS— ESTABLISHMENTS 151,162, AND 153.
Males: Band makers, doffers, oiler and band
boy, spinner, sweepers, twisters.
Females: Cone winder, reeler, sp in n e rs, spoolers.
Males: Trimmers.
Females: Cleaner, trimmers and button sewers.
TOBACCO— ESTABLISHMENT 158.
Males: Liners in box department, lining cutters
in box department, lump pickers* office boy,
packers, p lu g p ic k e rs, stem m ers, tag g ers, w eighers.
Females: B u n d le openers, filler pickers, stem m ers.
552
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOB.
T able II .—OCCUPATIONS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 Y E A R S OF AGE, B Y
SE X AND INDUSTRY— Continued.
S O U T H C A R O L IN A .
[The occupations in each industryat whichacomparativelylargenumberof childrenwereemployed
are printed in italics; those at which only one child was employed are shown in the singular
number.]
COTTON GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 159 TO 166, IN
CLUSIVE.
COTTON GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 159 TO 166, IN
CLUSIVE— C on clu ded .
Males: Band boys, band makers, bobbin boys,
breaker tender, card tender, cloth room helpers,
doffers, d ra w in g fra m e te n d e rs , end piecers, loom
cleaner, oiler, quill boys, roving boy, slubbing
frame tender, speeder tenders, sp in n e rs , stitchers
in cloth room, sw eepers, tacker, truck boy, twisters,
waste picker, weavers.
Females: Band girl, creeler, doffers, drawers-in,
speeder tender, sp in n e rs, spoolers , weavers.
COTTON YARNS— ESTABLISHMENT 167.
Males: Band maker, bobbin boy, cone winders,
d o ffers , drawing frame tender, sweeper, twisters.
Females: Cone winder, reeler, sp in n e rs.
G E O R G IA .
COTTON AND WOOLEN GOODS— ESTABLISHMENT 168.
Males: B ack ten d e rs o n m ules , band boy, bobbin
boys, doffers, spinners.
Females: Back tender speeders, sp in n e rs,
weaver.
COTTON GOODS— ESTABLISHMENTS 169 TO 177, IN
CLUSIVE.
Males: Band makers, cloth brusher, cloth room
boys, ereelers, doffers , drawers-in, d ra w in g fra m e
te n d e rs , harness cleaner, oilers, quill boys, quiller,
rope spinners, rope twisters, roving fixers, skein
linker, spinners, stitchers, sw eepers , tackers, truck
boys, twisters, waste picker, w eavers, winder.
Females: Cloth inspectors, ereelers, doffers,
drawers-in, drawing frame tenders, end piecers,
harness cleaners, rack hand, speeder tender, sp in
n e rs, spoolers , stenciler, tackers, twisters, w eavers.
COTTON GOODS, BAGS, AND BLEACHING— ESTAB
LISHMENT 178.
Males: B a g tu rn e rs , band boy, bleaching ma
chine tender, chalker, cloth packers in bleachery,
d offers, drawing frame tender, errand boys, oiler,
quill boys, quillers,reeler,spinners,sweeper,wash
ing machine tender, weavers.
COTTON GOODS, BAGS, AND BLEACHING— ESTAB
LISHMENT 178— c o n c lu d e d .
Females: Bag straighteners in printing depart
ment, bag turners, doffers, drawers-in, drawing
frame tender, printing press feeders, sew ing m a
ch in e o p e ra to rs, speeder tenders, sp in n e rs, spoolers,
twister, weavers.
COTTON YARNS— ESTABLISHMENT 179.
Males: Back tenders on mules, doffers.
Females: Spinner.
FURNITURE— ESTABLISHMENT 180. '
Males: Carriers, off-bearer «.
MEN’S CLOTHING— ESTABLISHMENT 181.
Males: Bobbin winder, button machine opera
tors, carrier, folders, m ark ers.
Females: Bobbin winder, buttonhole m ach in e
o p e rato rs, trimmers.
PAPER BAGS, WRAPPING PAPER, ETC.— ESTABLISH
MENT 182.
Females: Bag machine operators, b ag s tra ig h t
en ers in p r in tin g room , carrier, helpers at bag ma
chine, helper at box press, helper at gluing ma
chine, tr a y m ak ers.
ALABAM A
COTTON GOODS— ESTABLISHMENT 183.
KNIT GOODS— ESTABLISHMENT 186.
Males: Band boy, doffers, drawing frame ten
ders, oilers and cleaners, sp in n e rs, sw eepers.
Females: Oiler and cleaner, sp in n e rs.
COTTON YARNS— ESTABLISHMENTS 184 AND 185.
Males: Band makers, bobbin boy, doffers, spin
ners, truck boys, tw isters.
Females: Spinners.
Males: D offers, helper in knitting room, oiler,
spinner, sw eepers.
Females: Buttoners, cutter, eyelet machine
operator, sewers, sp in n e rs, stamper, trimmers,
winders.
W ISC O N S 1
BREWING— BOTTLING DEPARTMENT— ESTABLISH
MENTS 187 AND 188.
Males: B o ttle in sp e cto rs, bottle p a sse rs, cappers,
co rk in g m ach in e o p e ra to rs, fille rs, f ilin g room h a n d s,
labeler, la b elin g m ach in e o p e ra to rs, w ashhouse
h a n d s, w ash in g m ach in e o p erato rs, wirer.
Females: C leaners, lab elers, lab elers a n d clean ers,
ribboners, tinfoilers.
DEPARTMENT STORE— ESTABLISHMENT 190.
Males: Errand boys.
Females: C ash g irls , telephone operator.
PAPER BOXES— ESTABLISHMENT 191.
Males: General helpers.
Females: E d g e tu rn e rs , g en e ra l h elp ers, pasters.
TOBACCO— ESTABLISHMENT 192.
CONFECTIONERY— ESTABLISHMENT 189.
Females: Candy molders, caram el w rap p ers,
chocolate d ip p e rs, d a te fille rs, nut placers, tray
carriers.
Males: Carrier, p ack ers, piler, piler and carrier,
so rte rs, strip p e rs.
Females: Coupon placers, stamp paster, s trip
p e rs.
CHILD LABOR IK THE UNITED STATES.
553
Table II.—OCCUPATIONS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY
SEX AND INDUSTRY—Continued.
IL L IN O IS .
[The occupations in eachindustryatwhichacomparativelylargenumberof childrenwereemployed
are printed in italics; those at which only one child was employed are shown in the singular
number.]
.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, HARVESTING MACHIN
ERY-ESTABLISHMENT 193.
DRESS AND CLOAK TRIMMINGS— ESTABLISHMENT
Males: B ench h a n d s, bolt miller, bolt nutters,
borers, canvas clippers, canvas finishers, canvas
tacking machine hands, case hardener’s helper,
c h a in m akers, chamf erers’ helpers, core blackeners,
core black maker, core makers, design transferrer,
d rille rs ’ h elp ers, errand boy, fitters, grinders,
heater, laborer, lathe hands, office boys, planer’s
helper, pointer’s helper, punchers’ helpers, rivet
placers, sawyer’ s helper, section packers, section
so rte rs, tacker, temperer’s helper, threaders’
helpers, truck boy, wire boys.
Males: Errand boy, spool boys.
Females: Belt makers, braid maker, button
spinner, chore girl, n a il-h e a d stu ffers, ornament
maker, packer, spool filler, time girl.
BAKERY— ESTABLISHMENT 194.
Males: Bakers’ helpers, box boys, cake cutters,
dough dusters, f r u i t clean ers , icers, labeler, p a n
boys, sc ra p boys, slide tenders, truck boy.
Females: B u n d le rs, can cleaner, carton closers,
carton creasers, c a rto n fo ld e rs , c a rto n fo rm e rs, car
ton sealers, cracker sorters, glass wiper, ic e rs ,
lab elers , packers, pasters, p retzel tw isters.
CONFECTIONERY— ESTABLISHMENT 195.
Males: Cracker jack filler, p ack ers.
Females: Nut placer, p ack ers, w rap p ers.
DEPARTMENT STORE— ESTABLISHMENTS 196, 197,
AND 198.
Males: B u n d le boys, cash boys, cashiers, delivery
boys, h elp ers in a u d itin g b u re a u , helpers in carpet
department, h elp ers in coun tin g ro o m , helpers in
mail-order department, h elp ers in sh ip p in g room ,
helpers in upholstery department, in sp ecto rs,
office boys, stock boys, w agon boys.
Females: B u n d le g irls , cash g irls , cashiers, clerk,
helpers in auditing bureau, helper in counting
room, h elp ers in m a il-o rd e r d ep artm en t, helper in
upholstery department, in sp ecto rs, office girls,
stock girls, time girl.
DEPARTMENT STORE, MANUFACTURING
MENT-ESTABLISHMENT 199.
DEPART
Males: Apprentices, e rra n d boys, silverware
cleaner, stock boy, timekeeper.
Females: Apprentices, boxer, comfort tufters,
cuff machine operator, cushion stuffers, cutter,
e rra n d g irls , finishers, general helpers, m akers o f
fa n c y goods a n d n o v elties, office girls, packer, p a p e r
w orkers, rippers, sew ers, sewing machine opera
tors, stock girls, thread cabinet girls.
200
MEAT PACKING— ESTABLISHMENTS 201 AND 202.
Males: Boilers, bone sorter, box opener, box
iler, can coverer, can fillers, casing turners,
oor boys, em ployees in tin c a n d e p artm en t, gate
tender, helpers in cutting department, helpers in
killing department, helpers in trimmings depart
ment, labelers, liners, machine tenders, marker,
m essenger boys, office boys, pillow filler, sausage
brander, sausage hangers, sausage tiers, sa u sag e
tw isters, shop boys, soap feeders, soap wrapper,
sprinkler, stencilers, stripper, tank watcher,
truck boys.
Females: Bristle tier, butterine wrapper, can
wipers, casing turner, chipped beef packer,
labeler, plate scraper, sausage packers, soap wrap
pers, toppers, wrappers.
MEAT PACKING, CLERICAL FORCE— ESTABLISH
MENT 203.
Males; Office boys.
RUBBER GOODS—ESTABLISHMENT 204.
Females: Arm-band makers, boxer, button
stringer, finisher, lin d sa y h a n d s, pressers.
TIN CANS— ESTABLISHMENT 205.
Males: E n d e rs, handy boys, packers, piler.
Females: E n d e rs, packers.
TWINE— ESTABLISHMENT 206.
Males: Band cutter, cleaner, elevator boy,
general helper, office boy, roving boys, sw eepers,
testers, weighers, winder.
Females: Bailer, cleaners, knot tiers, sample
makers, sp in n e rs , weigher.
M ISSO U R I*
BOOTS AND SHOES— ESTABLISHMENTS 207 AND 208.
BOOTS AND SHOES— ESTABLISHMENTS 207 AND 208—
Males: B lack en ers, bottom brushers, bottom fil
lers, bottom levelers’ helpers, canvas cutter,
cementers, channel cementers, channel cutter,
channel turners, cleaners, counter breakers, edge
blackener, edge brushers, edge pinker, edge
uncher, end scraper, entry clerk, general helper,
eel burnisher, heelers’ helpers, heel makers,
heel pasters, heel-stock cutters, last sorters,
lining bunchers, number examiners, office boy,
polishers, rackers, relasters, sand paperer, scrap
sorters, shank blackeners, shank markers, sole
carriers,sole cementers,sole pasters, sole stamper,
sole stripers, sole tacking machine operators,
sole wetters, stampers, stock cutters, tack ers,
tackers’ helpers, tack pullers, top-piece sander,
toucher-up, trim m in g cuM ers, upper trimmer,
vamp turner, welt puller.
Females: Back stayers, blackeners, buttonhole
maker, cementers, ch an n el cem enters, edge nick
ers, folders, folding machine operator, la cers,
liner, lining maker, lining pasters, lining trim
mer, marker, menders, office girl, pasters’ help
ers, piece taggers, polishers, punching machine
operators, side closer, side liner, side stayers,
so rters, stamper, stamping machine operator,
strap banders, thread cutters, tip beveler, tip
blackener, tip markers, tip singer, toe piecers, top
stitchers, top turners, trimmer, trimming cutters,
vamp folders.
concluded.
E
554
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Table II.—OCCUPATIONS OF CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, BY
SEX AND INDUSTRY—Concluded.
M IS S O U R I—Concluded.
[Theoccupationsin eachindustry at which acomparativelylargenumberof childrenwere employed
are printed in italics; those at which only one child was employed are shown in the singular
number,]
BREWING— ESTABLISHMENT
209.
Males: L ab elers, tin foU ers, wrapper cutters,
wrappers.
Females: L abelers, tin jo ile rs , wrappers.
DEPARTMENT STORE— ESTABLISHMENTS
AND 212.
213.
TOBACCO— ESTABLISHMENT
210, 211,
Males: B u n d leb o y s, cash boys, door boys, office
boy, wagon boys.
Females: Bundle girls, cash g irls .
Males: Box handlers, box liners, box nailers,
office boys, ro ck ers, sw eepers, tag g ers, wrapper
stemmers.
Females: Packers, tagger, w ra p p e r stem m ers.
WOODEN BOXES— ESTABLISHMENTS
214 AND 215.
Males: Dray drivers, end pilers, g lu e d ip p e rs ,
glue machine operators’ helpers, liners-out, lum
ber carrier, nailers’ helpers, off-bearers, side car
riers, side gluer, taker-off, trimmer’s helper,
truck boy.
T able I II.—HOURS OF LABOR, B Y ESTABLISHMENTS.
Actual hours of working
time.
State and industry.
Estab
lishment Monday
number.
to
Friday
(perday).
Satur
day.
Per
week.
chil
Inter Are
dren
mission required
at noon to work
(min
over
utes).
time?
MASSACHUSETTS.
Boots and shoes....................
Brushes...................................
Carpets...................................
Confectionery...................... .
Cotton and worsted g o od s..
Cotton goods.........................
Department store...........................
Rubber goods, boots.................... .
Woolen goods.................................
Worsted goods.............................. .
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
10
10
10
10*
9*
10*
10*
10*
10*
10*
10*
10*
10*
8
9f
10*
10*
10*
5
5
7*
5*
8*
5*
6*
5*
5*
5*
5*
5*
5*
8
8ft
5*
5*
5*
55
55
57*
58
56
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
48
58
58
58
58
60
60
30
60
30
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
10!
9A
10!
10!
10!
10!
10*
10
10
10!
6*
13t*£
6*
6*
6*
6*
9*
9
5
6*
60
58*
60
60
60
60
60
59
55
60
45
60
45
45
60
45
50
60
30
45
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
9
9
B*
10
10*
10*
9*
10
9*
10
10!
8
9
7*
9
7!
7*
5!.
9
8*
9
5*
53
54
50
59
59
60
52
59
56
59
59
60
60
45
30
45
30
30
30
60
30
45
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
RHODE ISLAND.
Bleaching cotton goods.................
Clothing, hats, ana shoes, retail..
Cotton goods...................................
Cotton goods, narrow fabrics.......
Dyeing cotton and woolen goods.
Hosiery and knit goods.................
Jewelry...........................................
Soap and washing powder............
Worsted yarns................................
NEW YORK.
Artificial flowers and feathers
Artificial flowers, materials for
Blank b ook s..............................
Carpets.......................................
Coffee cleaning..........................
Confectionery...........................
Cooperage.................................
Cordage, twine, e tc ...................
CHILD LABOR W
555
THE UNITED STATES,
T a b l e I II.—HOURS OF LABOR, B Y ESTABLISHMENTS— Continued.
Actual hours of working
time.
State and industry.
Estab
lishment Monday
to
number.
Friday
(per day).
Satur
day.
Per
week.
chil
Inter Are
dren
mission required
at noon to work
(min
over
utes).
time?
new yobk —concluded.
Cotton goods...............................................
Department store......................................
Dress trimmings, embroidery, e t c ..........
Drugs, w holesale......................................
Dry goods....................................................
Handkerchiefs...........................................
Knit goods..................................................
Laundry.....................................................
Men’s furnishings.....................................
Men’s furnishings and laundry...............
Paper b o x e s ...............................................
Paper boxes, bags, envelopes, etc............
Pearl buttons.............................................
Pianoforte actions.....................................
T ailoring....................................................
Underwear and bedding...........................
Wall paper..................................................
Women’s belts and skirt bindings..........
Women’s neckwear, laces, e tc .................
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
alO *
a ll
9
10
«9 i
81
9*
8|
8*
94
11
a 10i
9*
94
g 10
a 10
8*
10
94
10
94
94
104
9
84
&54
5
9
114
12i
8f
84
7
84
84
5
74
94
84
*9
6
84
44
fc84
9
84
74
94
84
5
o60
o 60
54
<*614
60
524
55
494
51
544
60
/ 60
57
56
* 69
j 56
61
544
*56
59
56
54
60
534
474
60
60
60
60
60
45
30
45
60
45
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
30
30
30
60
40
50
45
60
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
8
74
10
10
94
*8
«8 f
«84
«8 4
58
60
60
60
594
o52
r524
«51
8 51
8 51
55
56
59
554
58
65
55
55
65
55
55
55
56
55
60
30
60
60
30
P60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
30
60
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
NEW JERSEY.
Bakery, cracker..........................................
Cigars..........................................................
Electric wire and cable............................
Electric wire and cable, clerical force ...
Electrical supplies.....................................
Glass bottles...............................................
Glass bottles and druggists’ specialties...
Glass bottles and window glass...............
Hat ba n d s..................................................
Linen thread, twine, and yarns.............
Paper boxes................................................
P ottery.......................................................
Silk finishing and dyeing.........................
Silk goods, b ro a d ......................................
Silk goods, broad and ribbon..................
Silk goods, thrown.....................................
S oap ............................................................
Thread, cotton...........................................
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
10
104
10
10
10
w 8f
9 8f
84
84
84
10
10
10
94
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
n 84
5
5
9
8
8
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
5
a Persons over 16; children under 16, 9 hours.
b Persons over 16; children under 16, 6 hours.
0 Persons over 16; children under 16, 50 hours.
<*Not including two hours on Sunday for employees over 16; children under 16 allowed to remain
away sufficient time each week to reduce their total hours to 60.
e Except Monday, 10$ hours.
f Persons over 16; children under 16, 524 hours.
g In winter; 11 hours in summer.
h In winter; 6 hours in summer.
1 In winter; 60 hours in summer.
j Persons over 16; children under 16, 51 hours,
fc Except June, July, and August, 5 hours.
I Except June, July, and August, 524 hours.
m Day force, except that 9 hours are worked on Friday; night force, 9£ hours.
wDay force only.
oDay force; night force, 461 hours.
p Except Friday, 45 minutes,
a Day force; night force, 91 hours.
f*Day force: night force, 45§ hours.
sDay force; night force, 421 hours.
556
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
T a b l e III.— HOURS OF LABOR, B Y ESTABLISHMENTS— Continued.
Actual hours of working
time.
State and industry.
Estab
lishment Monday
number.
to
Friday
(per day).
Satur
day.
Per
week.
Inter
mission
at noon
(min
utes).
Are chil
dren
required
to work
over
time?
PENNSYLVANIA.
Artificial flowers...................
Cigars.....................................
Coal breakers........................
Confectionery...................
C orks................................
Cotton and woolen goods
Department store............
Glass bottles, etc.............
Glass tableware, etc........
Hosiery............................
Iron and steel................. .
Lace goods, tapestry, etc,
Leather and leather goods, gloves
Pickles, preserves, etc....................
Shipbuilding...................................
Silk goods, th r o w n ........................
Silk goods, thrown and broad.
Structural iron.........................
Woolen and worsted goods ...
Woolen and worsted yams ...
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
9
10|
9
9
9
6
9
8
9
9
7
9
9
8
9
4
9*
* 10
10*
10*
6*
6*
53i
60
52|
54
54
36
54
48
54
54
42
54
54
48
54
24
57*
55
60
60
54
<*59
52*
050
*52*
60
60
60
60
60
59*
59
60
60
58*
58*
*58*
58*
'
58*
o56
r54
* 59*
60
60
60
134
135
136
137
138
9*
9i
10
10
10
9*
9
9i
10
10
58
56*
59*
60
60
m
10R
9
b 9*
8*
«8*
*9*
10*
10i
10*
10*
10*
10*
10
10i
10*
10*
10*
ilO i
10i
10*
»»9i
P9*
'
11$
MARYLAND.
Cigars and cigarettes...............
Clothing furnishings...............
Cotton duck, twine, and rope.
8*
6|
7i
9
9
6
9
8
9
9
7
9
9
8
9
4
9
5
6*
5&
9
o 10*
8*
/8 *
i 4*
6*
8*
8*
6*
6*
5*
9
9*
8*
6
6
/ 6
6
6
«8*
q 7*
30
30
60
30
30
90
30
30
30
30
60
45
30
30
30
30
45
40
45
45
45
60
60
45
45
45
45
45
45
30
30
45
30
30
*30
30
30
30
«45
25
45
30
45
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
30
30
30
45
45
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
(a )
SO
Do not work in the afternoon.
For males; females, 9* hours.
For males; females, 9* hours.
For males; females, 56 hours.
Day force; night force, 7f hours.
/ Day force only.
g Day force; night force, 38* hours.
h Night force, the same.
i Day force; night force, 4* hours Monday from 12.15 a. m. to 5 a. m.
J Day force; night force, l l i hours.
k Day force; night force, 57i hours.
* Also at midnight for night force.
m Plate department; rolling mill, l l i hours.
n Plate department; rolling mill, day force, 10i hours; night force, Sunday night, H i hours.
0 Plate department; rolling mill, day force, 68 hours; night force, 69 hours.
P Polishing mill; bolt, chain, and laboratory departments, 10i hours; steel and rolling mill, day and
night forces, l l i hours.
q Polishing mill; bolt, chain, and laboratory departments, 8* hours; steel and rolling mill, day force,
and night force Sunday night, l l i hours.
r Polishing mill; bolt, chain, and laboratory departments, 60 hours; steel and rolling mill, day and
night forces, 69 hours.
* Except steel and rolling mill, 30 minutes.
t Day force; night force, 69 hours.
a
b
c
d
e
557
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
T a b l e I II.—HOURS OF LABOR, B Y ESTABLISHMENTS— Continued.
Actual hours of working
time.
State and industry,
Estab
lishment Monday
number.
to
Friday
(perday).
Satur
day.
Per
week.
chil
Inter Are
dren
mission required
at noon to work
(min
over
utes.)
time?
Maryland —concluded.
Department store......................................
Glass bottles___x. .......................................
Men’s clothing and furnishings...............
Tobacco.......................................................
139
140
141
142
143
144
<*8*
8&
8»
10
8
10
612
7*
7*
10
5
5
o55|
50*
51
60
45
55
<*45 Yes.
60 Yes.
60 Yes.
30 Yes.
30 Yes.
30 Yes.
NORTH CAROLINA.
Cordage, yams, e tc...................................
Cotton goods...............................................
Cotton yam s...............................................
Furniture....................................................
Men’s clothing...........................................
Tobacco.......................................................
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
e ll*
n*
11&
e ll*
11A
11**
111
e ll*
e ll&
10*
10*
10*
10*
11
/9 *
8*
8*
h8&
8*
8*1
8
h 8*
6 8 **
W
8*
9*
8*
9*
40
60
60
62
59*
64*
40
35
i 45
47*
4b
30
35
45
30
45
45
60
No.
No.
No.
No.
Tes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
60
40
40
45
*45
60
45
40
45
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
45
30
40
40
40
40
45
30
m 45
60
0 45.
40
30
30
30
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
66
66
66
*66
66
66
65*
*66
*66
a 30
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Cotton goods...............................................
Cotton yam s...............................................
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
12
11*
I lf
12
*>12
11*
12
12
12
6
9*
Of
6
Jc6
8*
6
6
6
GEORGIA.
Cotton and woolen goods.........................
Cotton goods...............................................
Cotton goods, bags, and bleaching.........
Cotton yam s...............................................
Furniture....................................................
Men’s c lo th in g ..........................................
Paper bags, wrapping paper, etc..............
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
U*
11*
11*
e ll*
U*
11*
11*
11*
U*
H *
n l2
11*
10*
9*
10
9*
8*
9*
6 9*
9*
9*
0*
8
8*
7|
06
9Af
8T
5
8
65*
65*
66
*66
66
66
65*
65*
65
65*
P&6
65*
60
53*
58
ALABAMA.
Cotton goods...............................................
Cotton yam s...............................................
Knit goods..................................................
183
184
185
186
a Except cash girls, 9 hours.
b Except cash girls, 12* hours.
c Except cash girls, 57* hours.
d Except cash girls, 30 minutes.
eDay force; night force, 12 hours.
/D a y force; night force, 6 hours.
g Except Saturday, 35 minutes,
ft Day force only.
i Day force; night force, 60 hours.
j Except Saturday, 60 minutes.
Jc Day force; night force, 11 hours.
i Fifteen minutes at midnight for night force,
m Except Saturday, 50 minutes.
r ll*
«67*
45 No.
8*
66
30 No.
8*
11*
1.2*
6
66§
30 No.
65*
8
30 No.
11*
n Except in hag and bleaching departments,
10 hours.
o Except in bag and bleaching departments,
6 hours.
P Except in bag and bleaching departments,
55 hours.
a Except in bag and bleaching departments,
60 minutes.
*•Except in carding, drawing, and picker rooms,
8* hours on Monday.
s Except in carding, drawing, and picker rooms,
641 hours.
558
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I II.—HOURS OF LABOR, B Y ESTABLISHMENTS—Concluded.
Actual :hours of working
time.
State and industry.
Estab
lishment Monday
number.
to
Friday
(perday).
Satur
day.
Per
week.
chil
Inter Are
dren
mission required
at noon to work
(min
over
utes) .
time?
WISCONSIN.
Brewing, bottling department.................
Confectionery.............................................
Department store.......................................
Paper boxes.................................................
Tobacco.......................................................
187
188
189
190
191
192
•
8
8
10
9
10
8
8
8
9
HI
91
8
48
48
59
561
591
48
60
60
60
60
30
60
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
591
60
591
581
53
54
30
60
30
30
40
45
Yes.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
52
561
60
60
471
53
571
591
30
30
30
30
30
30
45
30
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
59
59
48
551
591
57
60
60
60
40
60
60
45
530
30
30
50
30
Yes.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
ILLINOIS.
Agricultural implements, harvesting
machinery...............................................
Bakery.........................................................
Confectionery............................................
Department store......................................
Department store, manufacturing de
partment .................................................
Dress and cloak trimmings......................
M eatpacking.............................................
Meat packing, clerical force....................
Rubber goods.............................................
Tin cans.......................................................
Twine..........................................................
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
10
10
10
91
8*
9
9
9f
91
10
91
91
8§
9
7
8
200
201
202
10
10
203
204
205
206
101
10
61
207
208
209
10
10
9
9
210
211
212
a 91
213
214
215
10
101
10
81
9
10
10
5
8
91
MISSOURI.
Boots and shoes..........................................
Brew ing............................................v .......
Department store.......................................
Tobacco ......................................................
Wooden b o x e s...........................................
8
91
91
8
91
121
91
10
91
10
a Except Tuesday and Thursday, 91 hours
6Except Tuesday and Thursday, 45 minutes.
L E G IS L A T IO N R E L A T IN G TO C H IL D L A B O R .
Legislation relating to child labor is so varied in character in the
different States and Territories that it is difficult to classify it satis
factorily. F or the purposes o f the present summary it has been most
convenient to consider child-labor legislation under the following
groups: (1) Statutes fixing an absolute age limit for the employment
o f children in all gainful occupations or in one or more of the prin
cipal groups o f industries; (2) statutes prohibiting the employment
o f children o f school age, or o f illiterate children during school time,
or unless they have complied with certain educational requirements;
(3) statutes prohibiting the employment o f children in certain danger
ous, injurious, or immoral occupations, such as selling or handling
intoxicating liquors, or as rope or wire walkers, gymnasts, contor
tionists, street singers or musicians, mendicants, itinerant peddlers,
etc.; (4) statutes prohibiting certain dangerous operations, such as
running elevators, cleaning machinery in motion, or operating danger
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
559
ous machinery, etc.; (5) statutes restricting the hours o f labor or pro
hibiting night work on the part o f children; (6) legislation not included
in the above groups.
AGE LIMIT FOR EMPLOYMENT.
The age limit prescribed by law in the different States under which
employment is absolutely prohibited is either 10, 12, 13, 14, or 16
years. As above stated, the law applies in some States to Only one
industry; in others, to several groups o f industries. In some cases an
age limit is prescribed under which children can not be employed
except during school vacation, and in some an age limit is fixed under
which persons can not be employed in certain occupations or during
certain hours. The two last-mentioned classes of laws are separately
treated.
The age limit prescribed by statute under which children are not
permitted to be employed is as follows:
Sixteen years, for underground work in mines, in Pennsylvania and
Texas.
Fourteen years, fo r work in factories, mechanical and mercantile
establishments, and mines, in Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, and W ashing
ton ;^ ) fo r work in factories and mechanical and mercantile establish
ments, in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Michigan; for work in
factories or mechanical establishments and in mines and smelting
works, in Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey,
Tennessee, and W isconsin; in factories and mechanical establishments,
in Louisiana (girls), Missouri, and New Y ork; in mines and smelting
works, in Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Utah, and W y o
ming; fo r surface work at mines, in Pennsylvania.
Thirteen years, for work in “ any factory, manufacturing or mer
cantile industry, laundry, workshop, renovating works, or printing
office,” in Pennsylvania.
Twelve years, in factories and mechanical and mercantile establish
ments, in California and Ehode Island; in factories and mechanical
establishments and in mines and smelting works, in North Carolina,
North Dakota, South Carolina, (b) Virginia, and W est Virginia; in fac
tories and mechanical establishments, in Louisiana (boys), Maine, New
« I n Washington permission may be given by a superior court judge for the
employment of a child between 12 and 14 years of age at an occupation w hich in his
judgment is not dangerous or injurious to the health or morals of such child, when
the child’ s labor is necessary for its support or for the assistance of an invalid parent.
&In South Carolina a child under 12 years of age may be permitted by a magis
trate or clerk of court to work in a textile establishment if the child’ s labor is neces
sary for its support or for the support of a widowed mother or disabled father.
Children under 12 years may be employed in textile establishments during June,
July, and August if they have attended school at least four months during the cur
rent school year and can read and write.
560
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Hampshire, and Texas; in mercantile establishments, in New Y ork; in
mines and smelting works, in Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Mis
souri, and the organized and unorganized Territories of the United
States where coal mining operations are carried on.
Ten years, in factories and mechanical and mercantile establish
ments, in Nebraska; in factories and mechanical establishments, in
Alabama, Arkansas, and Vermont.
In New Y ork no boy under 10 years and no girl under 16 years o f
age is permitted to sell or expose for sale newspapers in any public
place in cities o f the first class. A ll boys actually or apparently under
14 years o f age must have permits and wear badges, to be obtained
from the district superintendent o f the board o f education, before
being permitted to sell newspapers.
In specifying the industries to which this legislation applies it has
been necessary fo r the purpose o f comparison to arrange them into
three groups, namely: (1) Factories and mechanical establishments,
(2) mercantile establishments, and (3) mines and smelting works. The
legislation in any one State does not necessarily relate to all o f the
industries that may be included in one group. Thus, the first group
may relate to one or more industries, such as factories, manufacturing
and mechanical establishments, workshops, printing offices, etc.; the
second group may include all mercantile establishments, retail stores,
hotels, restaurants, messenger services, etc., or only one or more of
these industries; the third group may include only coal mines, or coal
and metalliferous mines, or it may include all mines and smelting and
refining works.
EMPLOYMENT DURING SCHOOL TIME.
A large number o f States have, in addition to an absolute age limit,
a specified age under which children can not be employed either in all
or in certain industries, except during vacation, unless they have
attended school the year preceding, as required by law, or are attend
ing night school, or have complied with certain other prescribed con
ditions as to school attendance or education. This age usually corre
sponds to that prescribed fo r compulsory school attendance. Twentytwo States have laws o f this character. O f these, Maine, New Jersey,
Ohio, Vermont, and Washington fix the age limit at 15 years, under
which age persons can not be employed unless certain conditions o f
school attendance have been complied with. In New Jersey the law
applies to employment in factories, workshops, and mines; in W ash
ington, to employment in manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile
establishments or by telegraph and telephone companies; in Maine, to
employment in manufacturing or mechanical establishments; in V er
mont, to employment in mills or factories. In Ohio employment is
prohibited, during the school term, o f children under 15 in mines, and
CHILD LABOR IK THE UNITED STATES.
561
under 14 in all vocations not already included within the scope of the
absolute age-limit law above mentioned. The States o f Arkansas,
Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana,
Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Y ork, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon,
South Dakota, and Wisconsin fix the age limit at 14 years. O f these,
Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, New Y ork,
Ohio, Oregon, and Wisconsin have an absolute age limit o f 14 years
for certain classes o f industries as above mentioned, but the legal
requirement concerning school attendance, etc., must be complied
with before children under 14 years can be employed in any other
class o f work. In Louisiana the absolute age limit for employment
in factories and workshops is 12 for boys and 14 for girls, but children
o f either sex under 14 years o f age must have attended school at least
four o f the twelve months next preceding employment in factories or
workshops. O f the other States, in Arkansas, New Hampshire, North
Dakota, and South Dakota the 14-year age limit with regard to employ
ment during school time applies to all occupations; in Nebraska, to
the manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile industries. In Rhode
Island childre’n under 13 are prohibited from being employed in any
service or business except during vacation. In Pennsylvania children
under 16 years o f age must show that they have attended school as
required by law before they can be employed in any way.
EMPLOYMENT OF ILLITERATES.
In twenty States age limits are prescribed under which children
are prohibited from being employed unless they are able to read and
write the English language. O f these Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois,
Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts,’ Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New
Hampshire, New Y ork, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington
fix the age limit at 16 years under which illiterate children can not be
employed except during school vacation, unless they attend evening
school or comply with other educational requirements. In Arkansas
this age limit is 16 in the case o f mine employees and 14 in the case of
children employed in factories. In Colorado and Kansas the prohibition
applies only to employment in mines; in Michigan to employment in
manufacturing establishments, hotels, and stores. In the remaining
nine States above mentioned the prohibition applies to children under
16 years o f age in all industries. Four States fix the age o f illiterates
at 14 years— Maryland and Missouri for employment in mines only,
Texas for employment in establishments using machinery, and Yermont
for employment in any industry.
DANGEROUS, INJURIOUS, OR IMMORAL OCCUPATIONS.
The laws included in this group are mostly such as are directed
against the use o f children as performers in circuses or theaters, in
8674—N q, 52—04----- 6
562
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
peddling or mendicant occupations, in barrooms, for immoral purposes,
and in dangerous or injurious occupations generally. In the other
classes o f child-labor laws usually the employers alone are liable for
the violations. In the laws included within this group any person
having the care, custody, or control o f a child and exhibiting, using, or
employing the same, or selling, apprenticing, giving away, or other
wise disposing o f the child fo r the purposes prohibited by the law, is
also made liable.
Thirty-two States and Territories have enacted laws which come
within this group. O f these, fourteen have statutes prohibiting the
employment o f children in selling or handling intoxicating liquors or
working in places where they are sold or handled. The age limits
prescribed are: A ll minors in Alaska, Connecticut, and Georgia; 21
years in South Dakota and Vermont; 18 yeafs in Massachusetts; 16
years in Maryland and Texas; 15 years in Pennsylvania and W est V ir
ginia, and 14 years in Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin, and W yom ing.
These laws differ widely in their scope and purpose. In Pennsyl
vania and W est Virginia the law prohibits the employment of children
o f the age specified above for the purpose o f singing, dancing, acting,
or in any manner exhibiting in dance houses, concert saloons, theaters,
or places o f entertainment where intoxicants are sold or given away or
with which any place fo r the sale o f wines or spirituous or malt liquors
is directly or indirectly connected by any passageway or entrance. In
Colorado and W yom ing the prohibition applies to employment as
actors or performers in concert halls or rooms where intoxicating
liquors are sold or given away. In Maryland and Massachusetts employ
ment o f children is prohibited in saloons and in business and bottling
establishments where intoxicating liquors are sold or handled. In
Georgia minors may not be employed in any capacity in places where
liquor is sold to be drunk on the spot; in Vermont, on premises or in
rooms in which a liquor license is operated, except in hotels, restau
rants, and drug stores; in South Dakota, in connection with any place
or room where intoxicating liquors are sold, and in Connecticut, in
saloons where spirituous and intoxicating liquors are kept for sale.
In Alaska minors are prohibited from dispensing intoxicating liquors.
In Illinois, theaters, concert halls, and places o f amusement where
intoxicating liquors are sold, and in Wisconsin, barrooms and beer
gardens are included in a list o f places in which the employment of
children under 14 years o f age is prohibited. In Texas the prohibition
applies only to employment in distilleries and breweries.
The other laws concerning this class o f occupations vary greatly as
regards both the age limit o f children and the character o f the occu
pations prohibited. Follow ing are the age limits prescribed in the
different States and Territories under which children are prohibited
from being employed in the vocations specified below: 12 years, Con
CHILD LAB0B IN THE UNITED STATES.
563
necticut, Georgia, and Porto B ico; 14 years, California, Colorado,
District o f Columbia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New
Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, and W yom ing; 15 years,
Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, and Massachusetts; 16 years, Kentucky,
Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Y ork, and Bhode Island; 18
years, New Jersey; in Pennsylvania and W est Virginia the age limit
is 18 in the case o f children employed in singing or playing on musical
instruments on the streets and in begging and mendicant occupations,
and 15 in the case o f the other occupations specified.
It is not practicable in this summary to give in detail all the varia
tions that are found in these laws in the different States. The analysis
will, therefore, be confined to the more important groups o f occupa
tions to which the prohibition relates.
The occupations o f rope or wire walker, gymnast, contortionist,
rider, acrobat, etc., are prohibited for children of specified age in
all but one o f the above-mentioned States and Territories.
Dancing fo r exhibition is prohibited fo r children under a speci
fied age in California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jer
sey, New York, Ohio, Bhode Island, and W yom ing.
Perform ing in theaters is prohibited in New Y ork and Bhode
Island; in variety theaters, in Colorado and W yom ing, and in thea
ters, etc., where intoxicants are sold or given away, in Colorado,
Illinois, Pennsylvania, W est Virginia, and W yom ing.
Singing or playing on a musical instrument in public as a vocation
for children is prohibited in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachu
setts, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Y ork,
Ohio, Bhode Island, and W yom ing. In the District o f Columbia,
Indiana, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and W est Virginia these occupations
are prohibited only on the public streets.
Begging and mendicant occupations fo r children are prohibited in
California, Delaware, District o f Columbia, Georgia, Indiana, Kan
sas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, M ontm a,
New Jersey, New Y ork, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Porto Bico, Bhode
Island, Virginia, W est Virginia, and Wyoming.
Peddling or wandering occupations fo r children are prohibited in
California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky (for girls), Maryland,
Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Y ork, Ohio, Porto Bico, Bhode
Island, Virginia, and W yoming.
In W isconsin no female under 18 years o f age may be employed as
a messenger by any telegraph or telephone company.
A number o f the States prohibit the exhibition o f deformed or weakminded children; the employment o f children in collecting rags, bones,
cigar stumps, or refuse; employment for prostitution; or their reten
tion in assignation houses or brothels.
564
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Twent}^-two o f the above-mentioned States and Territories have, in ,
addition to and in connection with the above, general provisions prohibit
ing the employment o f children in occupations, exhibitions, or places
dangerous or injurious to life, limb, health, or morals.
In nearly all States where acting, singing, playing on musical instru
ments, etc., in theaters, halls, etc., are prohibited fo r children, excep
tions are made in the case o f church, school, or similar entertainments,
or discretion is given to the local authorities to grant special permission.
EMPLOYMENT IN DANGEROUS OPERATIONS.
Many States have enacted laws prohibiting in general terms the
employment o f children in dangerous operations. A number o f States
have, however, special statutory provisions prohibiting children from
cleaning dangerous machinery while in motion, operating dangerous
or injurious machinery, or running elevators.
Cleaning machinery in motion is prohibited for minors in W est V ir
ginia, for males under 18 and females under 21 years in Michigan
and New Y ork, fo r males under 16 and females under 18 years in
Indiana, for children under 16 in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, and
for children under 14 in Massachusetts. (a) Operating or assisting in
operating dangerous machinery is prohibited for children under 16
years o f age in New Y ork ; cleaning machinery in motion or working
between the fixed and traversing parts o f machinery in motion is pro
hibited fo r minors in Missouri and New Jersey; cleaning machinery in
motion by males under 16 and females under 18 and operating or
assisting in operating dangerous machinery on the part o f children
under 16 years o f age is prohibited in Iowa, and operating or cleaning
machinery in motion is prohibited fo r children under 12 years o f age
in Louisiana.
In New Y ork children under 18 years o f age are not permitted to be
employed in any factory in operating or using any emery, tripoli,
rouge, corundum, stone, carborundum, or any abrasive or emery
polishing or buffing wheel where articles o f the baser metals or of
iridium are manufactured.
An Illinois statute specifies a long list o f dangerous operations in
which children under 16 years o f age are not permitted to be employed.
These include, among others, sewing belts, adjusting belts to machin
ery, oiling or cleaning machinery; operating circular or band saws,
planers, sandpaper or wood-polishing machinery, emery or polishing
wheels, wood turning or boring machinery, stamping machines in
sheet metal, tinware, or washer and nut factories, corrugating rolls,
elevators, steam boilers, steam machinery, cracker machinery, wire or
« In Massachusetts no machinery, except steam engines in factories, may be cleaned
while running b y either a child or an adult if objection is made in writing by the
factory inspector.
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
565
iron straighteningmachinery, rolling-mill machinery, laundry machin
ery; setting up pins in bowling alleys; preparing compositions in which
dangerous or poisonous acids are used, manufacturing paints, colors,
or white lead, etc. The operation, management, care, or custody of
elevators on the part o f children is prohibited in 10 States. F or this
purpose the age limit in Ohio is fixed at 20, and in Rhode Island at 18;
in Massachusetts, at 18 for elevators running over 100 feet per minute
and at 16 fo r slower elevators; in Minnesota, at 18 for elevators run
ning over 200 feet per minute and at 16 for other elevators; in New
Y ork, at 18 fo r elevators running over 200 feet per minute and at 15
for other elevators. In Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
the age limit is 16 years and in Pennsylvania it is 14 years; below
these ages children are not permitted to be in charge o f or to operate
elevators. In New Y ork the prohibition applies only to elevators in
factories, and in Rhode Island it applies to passenger elevators only.
In the other States the statutes apply to all elevators.
HOURS OF LABOR.
Twenty-nine States and Territories have passed laws limiting the
hours o f labor o f children. The age limit o f children in these cases
varies from 12 to 21 years, and the hour limit ranges from 8 per day
to 66 per week. In some cases the prohibition is general, in others it
applies to one or more classes o f industries. The follow ing statutory
limitations have been placed upon the hours per day or per week
during which children may be employed in the different States:
Six hours per day, three in the morning and three in the afternoon:
F or children under 16 years o f age in agricultural factories and manu
facturing establishments in Porto Rico.
Eight hours per day: F or children under 16 years of age in factories,
stores, mines, or other occupations which may be deemed unhealthful
or dangerous, in Colorado, and fo r children under 18 years o f age in
cigar factories in Indiana. In Wisconsin children under 18 years may
not be compelled to work over 8 hours per day in manufacturing
establishments.
Eight hours per day or 48 hours per week: For children under 16
years o f age in any gainful occupations in Illinois.
Nine hours per day: F or boys under 14 and girls under 16 years o f
age in all occupations except agricultural and domestic service and
clerks in stores in Michigan, and for children under 16 years o f age
in factories in New York.
Nine hours per day or 54 hours per week: F or children under 18
years o f age in any manufacturing or mercantile establishment or any
other place o f labor in California, and fo r children under 16 years o f
age in mercantile establishments, business offices, hotels, etc., in towns
o f 3,000 or more inhabitants in New York.
566
BULLETIN OP TEE BUREAU OP LABOR.
Ten hours per day: F or children under 18 years o f age in cotton and
woolen factories in Indiana; for children under 16 years by any cor
poration in Maine; for children under 16 years in factories in M ary
land and in mercantile establishments in Baltimore; for children under
15 years in manufacturing establishments in Vermont; for children
under 14 years in all occupations except agriculture and domestic
service in Minnesota, and in manufacturing establishments in Virginia,
North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. In Minnesota children
under 16 and in North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota children
under 18 years o f age may not be compelled to work more than 10
hours in the industries mentioned.
Ten hours per day or fifty-five hours per week: F or children under
18 years in manufacturing, mercantile, or other establishments in Ohio
and in manufacturing establishments in New Jersey.
Ten hours per day or fifty-eight hours per week: F or children
under 18 years o f age in Massachusetts and under 16 years in Rhode
Island in manufacturing establishments.
Ten hours per day or sixty hours per week: F or males under 18 and
females under 21 years o f age in manufacturing establishments in
Michigan; fo r children under 18 years o f age in manufacturing estab
lishments and telegraph and telephone offices in Louisiana, and in man
ufacturing establishments in New Hampshire; for children between
16 and 18 years o f age in factories in New Y ork, and for females
between 16 and 21 years o f age in mercantile establishments, business
offices, hotels, etc., in towns o f 3,000 or more inhabitants in New Y ork,
except in mercantile establishments from December 15 to January 1;
fo r females under 18 and males under 16 years o f age in manufac
turing establishments in Maine; fo r children under 16 years o f age
in manufacturing and mercantile establishments in Connecticut and
Indiana, and fo r children under 14 years o f age in manufacturing
establishments in Arkansas.
Ten hours per day and six days per week: F or children under 16
years o f age in any occupation in Oregon and Wisconsin.
Twelve hours per day or sixty hours per week: F or minors in manu
facturing and mercantile establishments, bakeries, laundries, reno
vating works, and printing offices in Pennsylvania.
Sixty-six hours per week: F or children under 18 years o f age in
North Carolina and 12 years o f age in Alabama in manufacturing
establishments.
From sunrise to sunset with the customary hours for meals: For
persons under 21 years o f age in manufacturing establishments other
than cotton and woolen mills in Georgia. The law provides that all
contracts fo r longer time are null and void, but makes no other pro
hibitory provision.
In a number o f the above-mentioned States the statutes require that
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
567
an interval o f one-half or one hour during the working day be given
to children fo r lunch or rest. W here the hours of labor per day are
limited, especially in factories, a proviso is usually made that the
hours per day may be extended in order to make repairs, etc., or to
shorten one day o f the week.
NIGHT WORK.
Eighteen States have statutory provisions prohibiting children from
working at night. The hours during which work is prohibited are as
follows:
F or minors, between 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. in manufacturing estab
lishments in Massachusetts.
For children under 18 years o f age, between 6 p. m. and 7 a. m. in
manufacturing establishments and between 7 p. m. and 7 a. m. in
bakeries in New Jersey; between 9 p. m. and 6 a. m. in manufac
turing establishments in New Y ork; and between 9 p. m. and 5 a. m.,
except during time required on Sunday fo r setting sponge for the
next day, in bakeries in Pennsylvania.
F or males under 16 and females under 21, between 10 p. m. and 7
a. m. in mercantile establishments, except on Saturday, and from
December 15 to January 1, in New York.
F or males under 16 and females under 18, between 7 p. m. and 6
a. m. in manufacturing and mercantile establishments in Ohio.
F or children under 16 years o f age, between 9 p. m, and 6 a. m. in
all gainful occupations in Wisconsin; between 7 p. m. and 6 a. m. in
all gainful occupations in Illinois and Oregon, and in Minnesota in all
occupations outside the family, except that children from 14 to 16
years o f age may be employed in mercantile establishments on Satur
days and 10 days before Christmas until 10 p. m .; between 6 p. m.
and 6 a. m. in manufacturing establishments in Michigan; between
8 p. m. and 5 a. m. in bakeries in Washington, and between 9 p. m.
and 5 a. m. in bakeries in Missouri.
F or children under 14 years o f age, between 7 p. m. and 6 a. m. in
manufacturing and mercantile establishments in Massachusetts, and in
manufacturing establishments in Arkansas; between 6 p. m. and 6 a. m.
in manufacturing establishments in Texas; and between 6 p. m. and
7 a. m. in manufacturing establishments and mines in Virginia.
F or children under 13 years o f age, between 7 p. m. and 6 a. m. in
manufacturing establishments in Alabama.
F or children under 12 years o f age, between 8 p. m. and 6 a. m. in
manufacturing establishments and mines in South Carolina. They
may, however, work until 9 p. m. to make up for lost time.
In New Y ork children under 14 years o f age are prohibited from
selling newspapers in cities o f the first class after 10 p. m.
In Georgia contracts for the employment o f persons under 21 years
568
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
o f age between sunset to sunrise in manufacturing establishments
other than cotton and woolen mills are null and void, but no other
prohibitory provision is made.
OTHER CHILD LABOR LEGISLATION.
Some o f the child-labor laws not included above are statutes relating
to the earnings o f minors in California, Idaho, Jpyga; Minnesota,
Montana, New Y ork, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Porto Rico,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington; prohibiting the
corporal punishment o f minor employees, in Georgia; engaging minors
to leave the State without the consent o f the parents or guardians, in
North Carolina; enticing minors from parents or guardians for the
purpose o f employment, in Mississippi; prohibiting the employment
o f children in basements o f mercantile establishments, in New Y ork;
prohibiting the withholding o f children’s wages on account o f presumed
negligence, alleged incompetence, failure to com ply with rules, etc., in
Ohio; prohibiting children under 16 years o f age from mining or load
ing coal underground unless in company with a person over 16 years o f
age, in Pennsylvania; prohibiting compulsion o f children under 16
years o f age by inhumane treatment to work or study, in Porto Rico.
Statutes recently enacted in Alabama and Georgia make it a misde
meanor, on the ground o f vagrancy, for any person able to work to
fail to work, but instead to hire out his minor children and live upon
their wages.
ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD LABOR LAWS-
In nearly all cases violations o f child-labor laws are deemed misde
meanors, and penalties are provided accordingly.
In order to insure the proper observance and enforcement o f the
laws relating to child labor, most o f the States having such statutes
have in connection therewith provisions requiring employers (1) to
obtain certificates, and in some cases affidavits, o f parents or guar
dians showing that the children employed are o f the required age; (2)*
to keep a register o f children employed, usually those under 16 years
o f age, showing name, age, place o f residence, etc., or to post such a
list in a conspicuous place in the establishment where the children work.
Laws limiting the hours o f labor or prohibiting night work o f children
usually have, in addition to the above, provisions requiring employers
to post conspicuously in the places where the children are employed
notices showing the number o f hours the children are required to work.
In cases where educational requirements are provided for, employers
are usually required to keep on file individual certificates o f school
authorities showing that the children have attended school as required
by law. In some States factory inspectors are empowered to order
CHILD LABOR IN' THE UNITED STATES.
the discharge o f children
when they consider them
Following are the laws
States and in force at the
569
when they have reason to doubt their age or
physically unfit for the work required.
relating to child labor enacted in the United
close o f the year 1903.
ALABAMA.
CODE OF 1896.
C iv il C ode .
C hapter 78.— Employment in mines.
Section 2933. No * * * boy under the age of twelve years, shall be employed
to work or labor in or about any mine in this State.
ACTS OF 1903.
A ct N o. 57.— Age limit— Night work— H ours o f labor.
Section 1. N o child under the age of twelve (12) years shall be employed in or
about any factory or manufacturing establishment within this State unless a widowed
mother or aged or disabled father is dependent upon the labor of such child, or in
case a child is an orphan and has no other means of support. No child under the
age of ten (10) years shall be so employed under any circumstances.
S ec. 2. It snail be unlawful for any factory or manufacturing establishment to hire
or to em ploy any child unless there is first provided and placed on file in the office
of such employer an affidavit signed by the parent or guardian or person standing
[in ] parental relation thereto, certifying the age and date of birth of said child; any
person knowingly furnishing a false certificate of the age of such child shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be brought before some justice of the
peace or other court or officer having jurisdiction for trial, and upon conviction shall
be punished by a fine of not less than five nor more than one hundred dollars, or be
sentenced to hard labor for a term not exceeding three months.
Sec. 3. No child under the age of thirteen (13) years shall be employed at labor
or detained in any factory or manufacturing establishment in this State between the
hours of 7 p. m. and 6 a. m. standard time, and no child under the age of sixteen
(16) years shall be so employed or detained between said hours for more than fortyeignt hours in any one week'; and no child under the age of twelve shall be employed
or detained in any factory or manufacturing establishment for more than sixty-six
(66) hours in any one week.
S ec. 4. A ny person, persons or corporation or representative of such corporation
who violates any of the provisions of this act, or wno willfully or knowingly suffers
or permits any child to be employed in violation of its provisions, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more
than ($200) two hundred dollars.
A ct N o. 229.— Employment while parent lives in idleness.
Section 1. * * * Any person who is able to work, and who does not work but
hires out his minor children and lives upon their wages; * * * is hereby declared
to be a vagrant and must on conviction be fined not more than five hundred ($500)
dollars and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the
cOunty for not more than six months. Provided, That it shall be a sufficient defense
to the charge of vagrancy under any of the provisions of this act that the defendant
has made bona fide efforts to obtain employment at reasonable prices for his labor,
and has failed to obtain the same. The provisions of this act shall not apply to
persons w ho are idle under strike orders or lockouts.
AR KANSAS.
DIGEST OF 1894.
C hapter 109.— Em ploym ent in mines.
Section 5051. No person under the age of fourteen years, or female of any age, shall
be permitted to enter any mine to work therein; nor shall any boy under the age
570
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
of sixteen years, unless he can read and write, be allowed to work in any mine,
and no owner, agent or operator of any mine operated by a shaft or slope shall
place in charge on any engine whereby men are lowered into or hoisted out of the
mines, any but an experienced, competent and sober person, not under eighteen
years of age, and no person shall be permitted to ride upon a loaded cage or wagon
used for hoisting purposes in any shaft or slope, except persons employed for that
purpose, and in no case shall more than eight persons ride in any cage or car at any
one time, nor shall any coal be hoisted out of any mine while any person or persons
are descending into such mine, and in no case shall more than one of the same
family ascend or descend on a cage and not more than eight persons ascend out of
or descend into any mine on one cage at one time, nor shall they be lowered or
hoisted more rapidly than five hundred feet to the minute.
ACTS OF 1903.
A ct N o. 127.— A ge limit— Night work— H ours o f labor— Illiterates— School attendance.
Section 1. No child under the age of twelve (12) years shall be employed in or
about any factory or manufacturing establishment within this State, unless a wid
owed mother or totally disabled father is dependent upon the labor of such child,
or in case a child is an orphan and has no other means of support. No child under
the age of ten (10) years shall be so employed under any circumstances.
Sec. 2. It shall be unlawful for any factory or manufacturing establishment to hire
or em ploy any child unless there is first provided and placed on file in the office of
such employer an affidavit signed by the parent or guardian or person standing in
parental relation thereto, certifying the age and date of birth of said child; any person
knowingly furnishing a false certificate of the age of such child shall be deemed guilty
of perjury, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided by law in all
cases of perjury.
Sec. 3. No child under the age of fourteen (14) shall be employed at labor or
detained in any factory or manufacturing establishment in this State between the
hours of 7 p. m. and 6 a. m. or for more than sixty (60) hours in any one weex or more
than ten (10) hours in any one day.
Sec. 4. No child under the age of fourteen (14) shall be employed at labor in or
about any factory or manufacturing establishment unless he or she can read and write
his or her name and simple sentences in the English language.
Sec. 5. No child under the age of fourteen (14) years shall be employed at labor
in or about any factory or establishment, unless such child attends school for at least
twelve weeks of each year—six weeks of said schooling to be consecutive—the year to
be counted from the last birthday of the child preceding such employment; and at
the end of every year a certificate to the effect that the law has been complied with,
signed b y the teacher of the school or schools attended b y the child during said
year must be produced by the parent or person standing in parental relation to said
child, and filed b y the employer of said child. A ll such certificates shall be open to
public inspection.
Sec. 6. A n y person, persons, corporation or representative of such corporation
w ho violates any of the provisions of this act, or w no suffers or permits any child, to
be em ployed in violation of its provisions, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and on conviction thereof, shall be punished b y a fine of not more than five hundred
dollars ($500).
CALIFORNIA.
D EERIN G ’ S CODES AND STATUTES—1885.
V ol. II.— Civil Code.
jEarnings o f minors.
Section 212. The wages of a minor employed in service may be paid to him until
the parent or guardian entitled thereto gives the employer notice that he claims
such wages.
V ol. IV .—P enal Code.
Certain employments forbidden.
Section 272 (as amended by chapter 158, acts of 1901). Any person, whether as
parent, relative, guardian, employer, or otherwise, having the care, custody, or con
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
571
trol of any child under the age of fourteen years, who exhibits, uses, or employs, or
in any manner, or under any pretense, sells, apprentices, gives away, lets out, or
disposes of any such child to any person, under any name, title, or pretense, for or
in any business, exhibition, or vocation, injurious to the health or dangerous to the
life or lim b of such child, or in or for the vocation, occupation, service, or purpose
of singing, playing on musical instruments, rope or wire walking, dancing, begging,
or peddling, or as a gymnast, acrobat, contortionist, or rider, in any place whatso
ever, or for or in any obscene, indecent or immoral purposes, exhibition, or practice
whatsoever, or for or in any mendicant or wandering business whatsoever, or who
causes, procures, or encourages such child to engage therein, is guilty of a misde
meanor, and punishable by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than two hundred
and fifty dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding six
months, or b y both such fine and imprisonment. Nothing in this section contained
applies to or affects the employment or use of any such child, as a singer or musician
in any church, school, or academy, or the teaching or learning of the science or prac
tice of music; or the employment of any child as a musician at any concert or other
musical entertainment, on the written consent of the mayor of the city or president
of the board of trustees of the city or town where sucn concert or entertainment
takes place.
Sec. 273 (added by chapter 158, acts of 1901). Every person who takes, receives,
hires, employs, uses, exhibits, or has in custody, any child under the age, and for
any of the purposes mentioned in the preceding section, is guilty of a like offense,
ana punishable by a like punishment as therein provided.
Sec. 273e (added b y chapter 158, acts of 1901). Every telephone, special-delivery
company or association, and every other corporation or person engaged in the
delivery of packages, letters, notes, messages, or other matter, and every manager,
superintendent, or other agent of such person, corporation, or association, who sends
any minor in the employ or under the control of any such person, corporation, assotion, or agent, to the keeper of any house of prostitution, variety theatre, or other
lace of questionable repute, or to" any person connected with, or inmate of, such
ouse, theatre, or other place, or who permits such minor to enter such house,
theatre, or other place, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
E
ACTS OF 1901.
C hapter 205.— H ours o f labor— A ge limit.
Section 1. No minor under the age of eighteen shall be employed in laboring in
any manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishment, or other place of labor,
more than nine hours in one day, except when it is necessary to make repairs to
prevent the interruption of the ordinary running of the machinery, or when a differ
ent apportionment of the hours o f labor is made for the sole purpose of making a
shorter day’ s work for one day of the week; and in no case shall the hours of labor
exceed fifty-four hours in a week.
Sec. 2. N o child under twelve years of age shall be employed in any factory, work
shop or mercantile establishment, and every minor under sixteen years of age when
so employed shall be recorded by name in a book kept for the purpose, and a certifi
cate (duly verified b y his or her parent or guardian, or if the minor shall have no
parent or guardian, then by such minor, stating age and place of birth of such minor)
shall be kept on file by the employer, w hich book and which certificate shall be pro
duced by him or his agent at the requirement of the commissioner of the bureau of
labor statistics.
Sec. 3. Every person or corporation employing minors under sixteen years of age
in any manufacturing establishment, shall post and keep posted in a conspicuous
place in every room where such help is employed, a printed notice stating the num
ber of hours per day for each day of the week required of such persons, and in every
room where minors under sixteen years of age are employed, a list of their names,
with their ages.
Sec. 4. A ny person or corporation that knowingly violates or omits to com ply with
any of the foregoing provisions of this act, or who knowingly employs, or suffers or
permits any minor to be employed, in violation thereof, shall, on conviction, be pun
ished b y a fine of not less than fifty nor more than tw o hundred dollars, or b y impris
onment of not more than sixty days, or b y both such fine and imprisonment, for
each and every offense.
572
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOB.
COLO RAD O .
CONSTITUTION.
A r tic le 16.— Employment in mines.
S ection 2. The general assembly * * *
mines of children under twelve years of age.
shall prohibit the employment in the
M ILLS7 ANNOTATED STATUTES OF 1891.
C h a p t e r 26.— Employment while school is in session.
S ection 417. It shall be unlawful for any person, persons or corporation to employ
any child under the age of fourteen years to labor in any business whatever during
the school hours of any school day of the school term of the public school in the
school district where such child is, unless such child shall have attended some public
or private day school where instruction was given b y a teacher qualified to instruct
in those branches required to be taught in the public school of the State of Colorado,
or shall have been regularly instructed at home in such branches, by some person
qualified to instruct in the same, at least twelve weeks in each year, eight weeks at
least of which shall be consecutive, and shall, at the time of such employment, deliver
to the employer a certificate in writing, signed by the teacher, certifying to such
attendance or instruction; and any person, persons or corporation who shall employ
any child contrary to the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and fined in a sum not less than twenty-five (25) dollars
nor more than fifty (50) dollars, and all fines so collected shall be paid into the
county treasury, and placed to the credit of the school district in wThich the offense
occurs.
S ec . 420. It shall be the duty of any school director of the district to inquire into
all cases of neglect of the duty prescribed in this act, and ascertain from the persons
neglecting, the reason, if any, therefor; and he shall forthwith proceed to secure the
prosecution of any offense occurring under this act; and any director neglecting to
secure such prosecution for such offense, within ten days after a written notice has
been served on him by any taxpayer in said district, unless the person so complained
of shall be excused by the district board of education for the reasons hereinbefore
stated, shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and fined in a
sum not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars; and such fine, when collected,
shall be paid into the county treasury and placed to the credit of the school district
in w hich the offense occurs. All actions for offenses committed under this act shall
be prosecuted for in the name of the State of Colorado.
S ec . 422. Two weeks7 attendance, at half time or night school, shall be considered
within the meaning of the article equivalent to an attendance of one week at a day
school.
C h a p t e r 85.— Employment in mines.
S ection 3185. * * * No woman or girl of any age, shall be permitted to enter
any coal mine to work therein, nor any person under the age of 16 years, unless he
can read and write.
ACTS OF 1891.
Certain employments forbidden .
(Page 59. Act approved April 13,1891.)
S ection 1. It shall be unlawful for any person having the care, custody or con
trol of any child under the age of fourteen years, to exhibit, use or employ as an
actor or performer in any concert-hall or room where intoxicating liquors are
sold or given away, or in any variety theatre, or for any illegal, obscene, indecent
or immoral purpose, exhibition or practice whatsoever, or for or in any business,
exhibition or vocation injurious to the health or dangerous to the life or limb of
such child, or cause, procure or encourage such child to engage therein. Nothing
in this section contained shall apply to or affect the employment or use of any such
child as a singer or musician in any church, school or academy, or at any respectable
entertainment, or the teaching or learning the science or practice of music.
Sec. 2. It shall also be unlawful for any person to take, receive, hire, employ, use,
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
573
exhibit or have in custody any child under the age and for the purpose prohibited
in the first section of this act.
Sec. 5. A ny person who shall be convicted of violating any of the provisions of the
preceding sections of this act, shall be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars, or
be imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding three months, or both, in the discre
tion of the court; and upon conviction for a second or any subsequent offense, shall
be fined not exceeding two hundred dollars, or be imprisoned in the county jail not
exceeding six months.
A ge o f employment o f telegraph operators on railroads.
(Page 280. A ct approved April 3,1891.)
S ection 1. No railroad company operating a line or lines of railroad within this
State shall hire or employ any person or persons as telegraph operators for the pur
pose of receiving or transmitting telegraph messages or train orders for the move
ment of trains, unless said person or persons are at least eighteen (18) years of age,
and who have had not less than one year’ s experience as a telegraph operator.
Sec. 2. Any railroad company, its officers or agents, violating the provisions of
this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not less than one
hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each and
every offense.
ACTS OF 1899.
C h a p t e r 136.— Employment during school term — Illiterates.
S ection 1. In districts of the first and second class in this State * * * every
parent, guardian or other person having charge of any child between the ages of 8
and 14 years, shall send such child to a public, private or parochial school for the
following period: In each school year beginning in September, not less than 20
weeks, at least 10 weeks of which, commencing within the first four weeks of the
school year, shall be consecutive; Provided , however, That if two reputable physicians
within the district shall certify in writing that the child’ s bodily or mental condi
tion does not permit of its attendance at school, such child shall be exempted during
such period of disability from the requirements of this act; A n d, provided , further,
That if, in the opinion of the county superintendent of schools, the child is being
instructed at home by a person qualified, such a child shall not be required to attend
as herein provided. * * *
Sec. 2. No child under the age of 14 years shall be employed by any person, per
sons, company or corporations during tne school term and while the public schools
are in session, unless the parent, guardian or person in charge of such child shall have
fully complied with section one of this act. Every such employer shall require proof
of such compliance, and shall make and keep a written record of the proof given,
which shall be subject to the inspection of tne truant officer, superintendent of
schools, or any school director of the district. A ny employer employing any child
contrary to the provisions of this section, shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor
more than one hundred dollars.
Sec. 3. A ll minors over the age of 14 years and under the age of 16 years who can
not read and write the English language, shall attend school at least one-half day of
each day, or attend a public night school, or take regular private instruction from
some person qualified, in the opinion of the county superintendent of schools, in
which such district or the greater portion of the same lies, until such minor obtains
a certificate from such superintendent that he or she can read at sight and write
legibly, simple sentences in English. Every employer employing or having in em
ployment any such minor shall exact as a condition of employment the school
attendance or instruction required by this section, and shall on request of the truant
officer, furnish the evidence that such minor is complying with the requirements of
this section. Every employer failing to comply with the requirements of this section
as to any minor employed by him or in his employ, shall be fined not less than
twenty-five dollars, and not more than one hundred dollars; Provided, That any
employer with the approval or consent of the county superintendent of schools may
make provision for the private instruction of minors in his employ.
ACTS OF 1903.
C h a p t e r 138.— H ours o f labor— Age limit.
S ection 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, agent, firm, company, copartner
ship, or corporation to require any child, either boy or girl, of sixteen years of age
574
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
or less, to labor or work in any mill, factory, manufacturing establishment, shop or
store, or in or about coal or otner mines, or any other occupation not herein enumer
ated which may be deemed unhealthful or dangerous, for a greater number than
eight hours in the twenty-four hour day, except in cases where life or property is in
imminent danger, or in the week before and following Christmas day: Promdcd,
That any child between the age of fourteen and sixteen years coming within the
provisions of this act may be exempted from the provisions thereof, if in the opinion
of the judge of the county court of the county in which said child resides it would
be for its best interests to be so exempted. Application may be made in writing to
any county judge by any such child, its parent or guardian, to be granted such
exemption, when it shall be the duty of such judge to hear the same and inquire
particularly into the nature of the employment sought. No fees shall be charged
or collected in any such case.
Sec. 2. A ll paper mills, cotton mills and factories where wearing apparel for men
or women is made, ore reduction mills or smelters, factories, shops of all kinds and
stores may be held to be unhealthful and dangerous occupations within the meaning
of this act at the discretion of the court.
Sec. 4. Any person w ho shall take, receive, hire or employ any child under the
age of fourteen years in any under-ground works or mine, or m any smelter, mill or
factory, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined
not less than fifty dollars, nor more than five hundred dollars, and shall be impris
oned in the county jail not less than thirty days, nor more than three months.
Sec. 5. A ny person, agent, firm, company, copartnership or corporation which
shall violate any of the provisions of this act or shall require a greater number of
hours of work or labor than herein specified of any child, either boy or girl, of six
teen years of age or less, in any employment or occupation herein enumerated, or
any other which shall be deemed by the courts as unhealthful, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined in a sum of not less than one hundred
dollars ($100), or more than five hundred dollars ($500), or be imprisoned in the
county jail for not less than two, or more than four months, or by both such fine and
imprisonment, in the discretion of the court, for each offense.
Sec. 6. A ll district attorneys shall be required to make prosecutions for all violations
of this act, upon the sworn complaint ot any reputable citizen that this act is being
violated by any person, firm, company, copartnership or corporation.
CONNECTICUT.
G ENERAL STATUTES OF 1902.
Chapter 82.— Certain employments forbidden.
Section 1163. Every person who shall exhibit, use, employ, apprentice, give
away, let out, or otherwise dispose of any child under the age of twelve years, in or
for the vocation, occupation, service or purpose of rope or wire walking, dancing,
skating, bicycling, or peddling, or as a gymnast, contortionist, rider, or acrobat, in
any place whatever; or for or in any obscene, indecent, or immoral purpose, exhibi
tion, or practice, whatsoever; or for or in any business, exhibition, or vocation, inju
rious to the health, or dangerous to the life or lim b of such child; or who shall cause,
procure, or encourage any such child to engage therein, shall be fined not more than
tw o hundred and fifty dollars, or imprisonment not more than one year, or both.
But nothing herein shall prevent the employment of any such child as a singer or
musician, in any church or school, or in learning or teaching the science or practice
of music.
Chapter 130.— Em ploym ent during school time.
Section 2119. Every person w ho shall employ a child under fourteen years of age
during the hours while the school which such child should attend is in session, and
every person who shall authorize or permit on premises under his control any such
child to be so employed, shall be fined not more than twenty dollars for every week
in which such child is so employed.
Sec. 2120. Every parent or other person, having control of a child, who shall make
any false statement concerning the age of such child with intent to deceive the town
clerk or registrar of births, marriages, and deaths of any town, or the teacher of any
school, or shall instruct a child to make any such false statement, shall be fined not
more than twenty dollars.
Sec. 2121. The school visitors or the town school committee in every town shall,
CHILD LABOB IN THE UNITED STATES.
575
once or more in every year, examine into the situation of the children employed in
all manufacturing establishments, and ascertain whether all the provisions of this
chapter are duly observed, and report all violations thereof to the prosecuting
authority.
C h a p t e r 132.— Employment o f illiterates.
S ection 2147. No person over fourteen and under sixteen years of age, who can
not read and write, shall be employed in any town where public evening schools are
established unless he can produce every school month o f twenty days a certificate
from the teacher of an evening school showing that he has attended such school
eighteen consecutive evenings in the current school month, and is a regular attend
ant. Every person w ho shall employ a child contrary to the provisions o f this
section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars, and State board of education shall
enforce the provisions of this section as provided in section 4707.
C h a p t e r 154.— Employment on elevators.
S ection 2614. No person, partnership, or corporation shall permit' or employ a
person under the age of sixteen years to have the care, custody, operation, or man
agement of an elevator. Every person, partnership, or corporation violating any
provision of this section shall forfeit not more than twenty-five dollars for each
offense.
C h a p t e r 158.— Employment in barrooms, etc.
S ection 2682. No person having a license under the provisions of this title shall
employ any minor as bartender, porter, or in any other capacity, in any saloon
where spirituous and intoxicating liquors are kept for sale, and upon such employ
ment the county commissioners shall revoke the license of such person. Every
person so licensed employing any minor as aforesaid shall be subject to the penalties
of section 2712.
C h a p t e r 273.— H ours o f labor— A ge limit.
S ection 4691. No minor under sixteen years of age * * * shall be employed
in laboring in any manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile establishment more
than ten hours in any day, except when it is necessary to make repairs to pre
vent the interruption of the ordinary running of the machinery, or where a differ
ent apportionment of the hours of labor is made for the sole purpose of making a
shorter day’ s work for one day of the week. Every employer shall post in a con
spicuous place in every room where such persons are employed a notice stating the
number of hours of work required of them on each day of tlie week, and the employ
ment of any such person for a longer time in any day than so stated shall be a vio
lation of this section, unless it appears that such employment is to make up for time
lost on some previous day of the same week in consequence of the stopping of
machinery upon which such person was employed or dependent for employment;
but in no case shall the hours of labor exceed sixty in a week. Every person who
willfully employs, or has in his employment, or under his charge, any person in
violation of this section, and every parent or guardian who permits any such minor
to be so employed, shall be fined not more than twenty dollars for each offense. A
certificate of the age of a minor, made as provided in section 4705, shall be conclusive
evidence of his age upon the trial of any person other than the parent or guardian
for violation of any provision of this section.
Sec. 4704. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed in any mechan
ical, mercantile, or manufacturing establishment.
Sec. 4705. Every person or corporation employing a child under sixteen years of
age in any mechanical, mercantile, or manufacturing establishment shall obtain a
certificate showing that the child is over fourteen years of age. Such certificate
shall be signed b y the registrar of births, marriages, and deaths or b y the town clerk
of the town where there is a public record of the birth of the child, or b y a teacher
of the school which the chila last attended, or by the person having custody of the
register of said school. If the child was not born in the United States and has not
attended school in this State, one of the parents or the guardian of the child shall
have the date o f the birth o f the child recorded by the registrar of births, marriages,
and deaths, or b y the town clerk, where such parent or guardian resides. W nen
applying for a record of the date of birth the parent or guardian shall state under
oath to said registrar or town clerk the date and place of birth of the child, and said
registrar or town clerk shall demand of the parent or guardian any family record,
576
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
passport, or other paper showing the age of the child. Every employer or other
person having control of any establishment or premises where children under sixteen
years of age are employed, w ho shall neglect to keep on file the certificates described
in this section or to show the same, with a list of the names of such children so
employed, to the secretary or an agent of the State board of education, or to an agent
of the board of school visitors, town school committee, or board of education, as the
case may be, of the town in which the establishment or premises are located, when
demanded during the usual business hours, shall be fined not more than one hun
dred dollars. The fee for recording the birth of a child shall be fifteen cents, to be
paid by the parent or guardian of the child. For a certificate of the record the fee
shall be fifteen cents.
Sec. 4706. Every person acting for himself, or as agent of a mechanical, mercan
tile, or manufacturing establishment, who shall employ, authorize, or permit to be
employed in such establishment any child, in violation of any provision of section
4704 or 4705, shall be fined not more than sixty dollars, ana every week of such
illegal employment shall be a distinct offense: Provided , That no person shall be
punished under this section for the employment of any child, when at the time of
such employment the employer shall obtain, and thereafter during such employ
ment keep on file, the certificate provided for in section 4705.
Sec. 4707. It shall be the duty of the State board of education, and the school
visitors, boards of education, and town school committees to enforce sections 4704,
4705, and 4706; and for that purpose the State board of education may appoint
agents, under its supervision and control, for terms of not more than one year, who
shall be paid not to exceed five dollars a day for time actually employed and neces
sary expenses, and whose accounts shall be approved by said board and audited by
the comptroller. The agents so appointed may be directed b y said board to enforce
the provisions of the law requiring the attendance of children at school and to per
form any duties necessary or proper for the due execution of the duties and powers
of the board.
DELAW AR E.
REVISED CODE OF 1852, EDITION OF 1893.
C h a p t e r 131.— Certain employments forbidden.
[Page-954, chapter 150, vol. 16, Laws of Delaware.]
Section 2. Any person having the care, custody, or control of any minor child
under the age of fifteen years who shall in any manner sell, apprentice, give away,
or otherwise dispose of such minor, or any person w ho shall take, receive, or employ
such child for the vocation or occupation of rope or wire walking or dancing; or as
an acrobat or gymnast, or any person who, having the care, custody, or control of
any minor child whatsoever, and shall sell, apprentice, give away, or otherwise dis
pose of such minor, or who shall take, receive, or employ, such minor for begging
or any obscure [sic], indecent, or illegal exhibition or vocation, or any vocation
injurious to the health or dangerous to the life or lim b of such child engaged therein,
or for the purpose of prostitution, or any person who shall retain, harbor, or employ
any minor child in or about any assignation house or brothel, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof before any justice of the peace
or court of record shall be fined not less than twenty dollars nor more than one
hundred dollars for each and every offense.
DISTRICT OF A L A SK A .
ACTS OF U. S. CONGRESS, 1898-99.
C hapter 429.—T itle 2.— Employment in barrocms.
Section 478. No licensee under a barroom license shall employ, or permit to be
employed, or allow any * * * minor * * * to sell, give, furnish, or dis
tribute any intoxicating drinks or any admixture thereof, ale, wine, or beer to any
person or persons.
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES*
577
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
CODE.
[Approved March 3,1901; amended January 31 and June 30,1902.]
Certain employments forbidden.
S ection 814. * * * A ny person, having in his custody or control a child under
the age of fourteen years, who shall in any way dispose of it with a view to its being
employed as an acrobat, or a gymnast, or a contortionist, or a circus rider, or a ropewalker, or in any exhibition of like dangerous character, or as a beggar, or mendicant,
or pauper, or street singer, or street musician; or any person who shall take, receive,
hire, employ, use, exhibit, or have in custody any child of the age last named for
any of the purposes last enumerated, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and,
when convicted thereof, shall be subject to punishment by a fine of not more than
two hundred and fifty dollars, or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding two
years, or both.
FLORIDA.
REVISED STATUTES OF 1892.
P a r t 5 .— T it l e 2.— Consent o f parent when employed.
S ection 2733. W hoever hires or employs or causes to be hired or employed any
minor, knowing such minor to be under the age of fifteen years and under the legal
control of another, without the consent of those having such legal control, for more
than sixty days, shall be punished by imprisonment not exceeding sixty days or by
fine not exceeding twenty dollars.
GEORGIA.
CODE OF 1895.
V ol. II.— C ivil Code.
T itle 2.— A ge o f employment o f telegraph operators on railroads.
Section 2237. No railroad company shall employ in this State any telegraph
operator to receive and transmit dispatches governing the movements of trains, who
is less than eighteen years of age * * * .
Sec. 2238. Any railroad company violating the requirements of the preceding sec
tion shall forfeit for each offense not less than fifty dollars, and not more than five
hundred dollars.
T itle 3.— H ours o f labor— Corporal punishment.
Section 2619. The hours of labor by all persons under twenty-one years of age, in
all [cotton, woolen, or] other manufacturing establishments, or machine shops in
this State, shall be from sunrise until sunset, the usual and customary times for meals
being allowed from the same; and any contract made with such persons or their
parents, guardians, or others, whereby a longer time for labor is agreed upon or pro
vided for, shall be null and void, so far as relates to the enforcement of said contracts
against such laborers.
Sec. 2620. No boss or other superior in any manufacturing establishments shall
inflict corporeal [corporal] punishment upon minor laborers; and the owners of such
factory or machine shop shall be directly liable for all such conduct on the part of
their employees; and such minor may sue in his own name for damages for such
conduct, and the recovery shall be his own property, and not belong to his parents.
V ol. I II.— P enal Code.
D ivision 10.— Emplcyyment in barrooms.
Section 445. If any person keeping or carrying on, either by himself or by another,
a barroom, or other place where spirituous liquors are sold by retail to be drunk on
the spot, shall employ a minor in such barroom or other place, he shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor.
8674—No. 52—04----- 7
578
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
D iv is io n 10.— Employment, while parents live in idleness.
S ection 453 (as amended by act No. 394, page 46, acts of 1903).
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
7. All persons who are able to work and w ho do not work, but hire out their minor
children and live upon their wages, shall be deemed and considered vagrants;
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
D iv is io n 12.— Certain employments forbidden.
S ection 706. Any person who shall sell, apprentice, give away, let out, or other
wise dispose of any child under twelve years, to any person, for the vocation, occu
pation, or service of rope or wire walking, begging, or as a gymnast, contortionist,
circus-rider, acrobat or clown, or for any indecent, obscene or immoral exhibition,
practice or purpose, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Sec. 707. W henever a child shall be disposed of in violation of the preceding section,
the person who, under such selling, apprenticing or letting out, shall receive and use
such child for any of the purposes condemned in said section, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor.
IDAHO.
CONSTITUTION.
A r t ic l e 13.— Employment in mines.
S ection 4. The employment of children under the age of fourteen (14) years in
underground mines is prohibited.
CODES— 1901.
P a r t II.— C i v i l C o d e .
C h a p t e r 79.— Earnings o f minors.
S ection 2073. The wages of a minor employed in service may be paid to him, unless
within thirty days after the commencement of the service, the parent or guardian
entitled thereto gives the employer notice that he claims such wag[e]s.
ILLINOIS.
STARR & CURTIS’ S ANNOTATED STATUTES OF 1896.
C h a p t e r 38.— Certain employments forbidden.
S ectio n 131. It shall be unlawful for any person having the care, custody or control
of any child under the age of fourteen years, to exhibit, use or employ, or in any
manner, or under any pretense, sell, apprentice, give away, let out or otherwise dis
pose of any such child to any person in or for the vocation or occupation, service
or purpose of singing, playing on musical instruments, rope or wire walking, danc
ing, begging or peddling, or as a gymnast, contortionist, rider or acrobat in any place
whatsoever, or for any obscene, indecent or immoral purpose, exhibition or practice
whatsoever, or for, or in any business, exhibition or vocation injurious to the health,
or dangerous to the life or limb of such child, or cause, procure or encourage any
such child to engage therein. Nothing in this section contained shall apply to, or
effect [affect] the employment or use o f any such child as a singer or musician in
any church, school or academy, or in the teaching or learning the science or practice
of music.
ACTS OF 1899.
Employment in mines.
(Page 300.)
S ection 22. No boy under the age of 14 years, and no woman or girl of any age
shall be permitted to do any manual labor in or about any mine, and before any boy
can be permitted to work in any mine he must produce to the mine manager or opera
tor thereof an affidavit from his parent or guardian or next of kin, sworn and sub
scribed to before a justice of the peace or notary public, that he, the said boy, is 14
years of age.
CHILD LABOR IK THE UKITED STATES.
579
ACTS OF 1903.
A ge limit— Night work— Illiterates— Certain occupations forbidden.
(Page 187.)
S ection 1. No child under the age of fourteen years shall be employed, permitted
or suffered to work at any gainful occupation in any theatre, concert hall or place of
amusement where intoxicating liquors are sold, or in any mercantile institution, store,
office, hotel, laundry, manufacturing establishment, bowling alley, passenger or
freight elevator, factory or workshop, or as a messenger or driver therefor, within
this State. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed at any work per
formed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during any portion
of any month when the public schools of the town, township, village or city in which
he or she resides are in session, nor be employed at any work before the hour of
seven o’ clock in the morning or after the hour of six o ’ clock in the evening: P ro
vided, That no child shall be allowed to work more than eight hours in any one day.
Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of every person, firm or corporation, agent or manager
of any firm or corporation employing minors over fourteen years and under sixteen
years of age in any mercantile institution, store, office, hotel, laundry, manufactur
ing establishment, bowling alley, theatre, concert hall or place of amusement, pas
senger or freight elevator, factory or workshop, or as messenger or driver therefor,
within this State, to keep a register in said mercantile institution, store, office, hotel,
laundry, manufacturing establishment, bowling alley, theatre, concert hall or place
of amusement, factory or workshop in which said minors shall be employed or per
mitted or suffered to work, in which register shall be recorded the name, age and
place of residence of every child employed or suffered or permitted to work therein,
or as messenger or driver therefor, over the age of fourteen and under the age of six
teen years; and it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, agent or
manager, of any firm or corporation to hire or employ, or to permit or suffer to work
in any mercantile institution, store, office, hotel, laundry, manufacturing establish
ment, bowling alley, theatre, concert hall or place of amusement, passenger or freight
elevator, factory or workshop, or as messenger or driver therefor, any child under
the age of sixteen years and over fourteen years of age, unless there is first produced
and placed on file m such mercantile institution, store, office, hotel, laundry, manu
facturing establishment, bowling alley, factory or workshop, theatre, concert hall or
place of amusement, an age and school certificate approved as hereinafter provided.
Sec. 3. Every person, firm or corporation, agent or manager of a corporation
employing or permitting or suffering to work five or more children under the age of
sixteen years and over the age of fourteen in any mercantile institution, store, office,
laundry, hotel, manufacturing establishment, factory or workshop, shall post and
keep posted in a conspicuous place in every room in which such help is employ ed, or
permitted or suffered to work, a list containing the name, age and place of residence
of every person under the age of sixteen years employed, permitted or suffered to
work in such room.
Sec. 4. No child under sixteen years of age and over fourteen years of age shall be
employed in any mercantile institution, store, office, hotel, laundry, manufacturing
establishment, bowling alley, theatre, concert hall, or place of amusement, passen
ger or freight elevator, factory or workshop, or as messenger or driver therefor,
unless there is first produced and placed on file in such mercantile institution, store,
office, hotel, laundry, manufacturing establishment, bowling alley, theater, concert
hall or place of amusement, factory or workshop, and accessible to the State factory
inspector, assistant factory inspector or deputy factory inspector, an age and school
certificate as hereinafter prescribed; and unless there is kept on file and produced on
demand of said inspectors of factories a complete and correct list of all the minors
under the age of sixteen years so employed who can not read at sight and write legi
bly simple sentences, unless such child is attending night school as hereinafter
provided.
Sec. 5. A n age and school certificate shall be approved only b y the superintendent
of schools or by a person authorized by him in writing; or where there is no superin
tendent of schools by a person authorized by the school board: Provided, That the
superintendent or principal of a parochial school shall have the right to approve an
age and school certificate, and shall have the same rights and powers as the superin
tendent of public schools to administer the oaths herein provided for children attend
ing parochial schools: Provided, further, That no member of a school board or other
person authorized as aforesaid shall have authority to approve such certificates for any
child then in or about to enter his own establishment, or the employment of a firm
or corporation of which he is a member, officer or employee. The person approving
these certificates shall have authority to-administer the oath provided herein, but no
580
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
fee shall be charged therefor. It shall be the duty of the school board or local school
authorities to designate a place (connected with their office, when practicable) where
certificates shall be issued and recorded, and to establish and maintain the necessary
records and clerical service for carrying out the provisions of this act.
Sec. 6. A n age and school certificate shall not be approved unless satisfactory evi
dence is furnished b y the last school census, the certificate of birth or baptism of such
child, the register of birth of such child with a town or city clerk, or by the records
of the public or parochial schools, that such child is of the age stated in the certifi
cate: Provided , That in cases arising wherein the above proof is not obtainable, the
parent or guardian of the child shall make oath before the juvenile or county court
as to the age of such child, and the court may issue to said child an age certificate as
sworn to.
Sec. 7. The age and school certificate of a child under sixteen years of age shall
not be approved and signed until he presents to the person authorized to approve
and sign the same, a school attendance certificate, as hereinafter prescribed, duly
filled out and signed. A duplicate of such age and school certificate shall be filled
out and shall be forwarded to the State factory inspector’ s office. Any explanatory
matter may be printed with such certificate in the discretion of the school board or
superintendent of schools. The employment and the age and school certificates shall
be separately printed and shall be filled out, signed, and held or surrendered as
indicated in the following forms:
SCHOOL CERTIFICATE.
(Name of school).
(City or town and date).
This certifies (name of minor) of the —th grade, can read and write legibly simple
sentences. This also certifies that according to the records of this school, and in m y
belief, the said (name of minor) was born at (name of city or town) in (name of
county) on the (date) and is now (number of years and months) old.
(Name of parent or guardian),
(Residence).
(Signature of teacher) -=— grade.
(Name of principal).
Correct.
(Name of school).
EVENING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE.
(Date).
This certifies that (name of minor) is registered in and regularly attends th e --------evening school. This also certifies that according to the records of m y school and
in m y belief the said (name of minor) was bom at (name of city or town) on th e -----day of (year), and is now (number of years and months) old.
(Name oi parent or guardian),
(Residence).
(Signature of teacher).
(Signature of principal).
AGE AND SCHOOL CERTIFICATE.
This certifies that I am (father, mother, guardian or custodian) of (name of minor),
and that (he or she) was b om at (name of town or city) in the (name of county, if
known) and State or county o f --------- , on the (day of birth and year of birth) and
is now (Humber of years and months) old.
(Signature of parent, guardian or custodian),
(City or town and date).
There personally appeared before me the above named (name of person signing)
and made oath that the foregoing certificate by (him or her) signed is true to the best
of (his or her) knowledge. I hereby approve the foregoing certificate of (name of
child), height (feetand inches), w eigh t------ , com plexion (fair or dark), hair, (color)
having no sufficient reason to doubt that (he or she) is oi the age therein certified.
OWNER OF CERTIFICATE.
This certificate belongs to (name of child in whose behalf it is drawn) and is to
be surrendered to (him or her) whenever (he or she) leaves the service of the cor
poration or employer holding the same; but if not claimed by said child within
thirty days from such time it shall be returned to the superintendent of schools, or
where there is no superintendent of schools, to the school board. (Signature of
CHILD LABOB IN' THE UNITED STATES.
581
person authorized to approve and sign, with official character authority) (town, or
city and date.)
In the case of a child who can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences,
the certificate shall continue as follows, after the word sentences: “ 1 hereby certify
that (he or she) is regularly attending the (name of public or parochial evening
sch ool).” This certificate shall continue in iorce just as long as the regular attend
ance of said child at said evening school is certified weekly by the teacher and principal
of said school.
In any city or town in which there is no public or parochial evening school, an age
and school certificate shall not be approved for a child under the age of sixteen years
w ho can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences. W hen the public or
parochial evening schools are not in session, an age and school certificate shall not be
approved for any child w ho can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences.
The certificate of the principal of a public or parochial school shall be prima facie
evidence as to the literacy of the child.
Sec. 8. No person shall employ any minor over fourteen years of age and under
sixteen years, and no parent, guardian or custodian shall permit to be employed any
such minor under his control, who can not read at sight and write legibly simple
sentences, while a public evening school is maintained in the town or city in which
such minor resides, unless such minor is a regular attendant at such evening school.
Sec. 9. The State inspector of factories, his assistants or deputies, shall visit all
mercantile institutions, stores, offices, laundries, manufacturing establishments,
bowling alleys, theatres, concert halls or places of amusement, factories or work
shops, and all other places where minors are or may be employed in this State, and
ascertain whether any minors are employed contrary to the provisions of this act.
Inspectors of factories may require that age and school certificates, and all lists of
minors employed in such factories, workshops, mercantile institutions and all other
places where minors are employed as provided for in this act, shall be produced for
their inspection on demand: A n d , provided further. That upon written complaint to
the school board or local school authorities of any city, town, district or munici
pality, that any minor (whose name shall be given in such complaint) is employed
in any mercantile institution, store, office, laundry, manufacturing establishment,
bowling alley, theatre, concert hall or place of amusement, passenger or freight
elevator, factory or workshop, or as messenger or driver therefor, contrary to the
provisions of this act, it shall be the duty of such school board or local school author
ity to report the same to the State inspector of factories.
Sec. 10. No person under the age of sixteen years shall be employed or suffered
or permitted to work at any gainful occupation more than forty-eight hours in any
one week, nor more than eight hours in any one day; or before the hours of seven
o ’ clock in the morning or after the hour of seven o ’ clock in the evening. Every employer
shall post in a conspicuous place in every room where such minors are employed!, a
printed notice stating the hours required of them each day of the week, the hours of
commencing and stopping work, and the hours when the time or times allowed for
dinner or for other meals begins and ends. The printed form of such notice shall
be furnished b y the State inspector of factories, and the employment of any such
minor for longer time in any day so stated shall be deemed a violation of this
section.
Sec. 11. No child under the age of sixteen years shall be employed at sewing belts,
or to assist in sewing belts, in any capacity whatever; nor shall any child adjust
any belt to any machinery; they shall not oil or assist in oiling, wiping or cleaning
machinery; they shall not operate or assist in operating circular or band saws, woodshapers, wool-jointers [wood-jointers], planers, sandpaper or wood-polishing machin
ery, emery or polishing wheels used for polishing metal, wood-turning or boring
machinery, stamping machines in sheet metal and tinware manufacturing, stamping
machines in washer and nut factories, operating corrugating rolls, such as are used
in roofing factories, nor shall they be employed in operating any passenger or freight
elevators, steam boiler, steam machinery, or other steam generating apparatus, or as
pin boys in any bowling alleys; they shall not operate or assist in operating dough
brakes, or cracker machinery of any description; wire or iron straightening machin
ery; [n ]or shall the [they] operate or assist in operating rolling-mill machinery
punches or shears, washing, grinding or mixing mill or calender rolls in rubber
manufacturing, nor shall they operate or assist in operating laundry machinery; nor
shall children be employed m any capacity in preparing any composition in which
dangerous or poisonous acids are used, and they shall not be employed in any
capacity in the manufacture of paints, colors or white lead; nor shall they be
employed in any capacity whatever in operating or assisting to operate any passen
ger or freight elevator; nor shall they be employed in any capacity whatever in the
manufacture of goods for immoral purposes, or any other employment that may be
582
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
considered dangerous to their lives or limbs, or where their health may be injured
or morals depraved; nor in any theatre, concert hall, or place of amusement wherein
intoxicating liquors are sold; nor shall females under sixteen years of age be
employed in any capacity where such employment compels them to remain standing
constantly.
Sec. 12. The presence of any person under the age of sixteen years in any manu
facturing establishment, factory or workshop, shall constitute prima facie evidence of
his or her employment therein.
Sec. 13. It shall be the special duty of the State factory inspector to enforce the
provisions of this act, and to prosecute all violations of the same before any magis
trate or any court of competent jurisdiction in this State. It shall be the duty of the
State factory inspector, assistant State factory inspector and deputy State factory
inspectors under the supervision and direction o f the State factory inspector, and
they are hereby authorized and empowered to visit and inspect, at all reasonable
times, and as often as possible, all places covered by this act.
Sec. 14. W hoever, having under his control a child under the age of 16 years,
permits such child to be employed in violation of the provisions of this act, shall for
each offense be fined not less than $5 nor more than $25, and shall stand committed
until such fine and costs are paid. A failure to produce to the inspector of factories,
his assistants or deputies, any age and school certificates, or lists required b y this act,
shall constitute a violation of this act, and the person so failing shall, upon convic
tion, be fined not less than $5 nor more than $50 for each offense. Every person
authorized to sign the certificate prescribed by section 7 of this act, who certifies to
any materially false statement therein shall be guilty of a violation of this act, and
upon conviction, be fined not less than $5 nor more than $100 for each offense, and
shall stand committed until such fine and costs are paid. A n y person, firm or cor
poration, agent or manager, superintendent or foreman of any firm or corporation,
whether for himself or for such firm or corporation, or b y himself or through sub
agents or foreman, superintendent or manager, who shall violate or fail to com ply
with any of the provisions of this act, or shall refuse admittance to premises, or
otherwise obstruct the factory inspector, assistant factory inspector or deputy factory
inspector in the performance of their duties, as prescribed b y this act, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less
than $5 nor more than $100 for each offense, and shall stand committed until such
fine and costs are paid.
IN D IA N A .
ANNOTATED STATUTE? OF 1894— REVISION OF 1901.
C h a p t e r 5 .— H oars o f labor— A ge limit— Certain occupations forbidden— Employment in
mines.
Section 2236. W hoever, being the owner, agent, overseer, or foreman of any cotton
or woolen factory in this State, employs or permits to be employed, in any cotton
or woolen factory of w hich he is the owner, agent, overseer, or foreman, any person,
male or female, under the age of eighteen years, for a longer period than ten hours
in any day, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars nor less than fifty
dollars.
Sec. 2237. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, company or asso
ciation engaged in manufacturing iron, "steel, nails, metals, machinery or tobacco to
em ploy or keep at work any child under fourteen years of age.
Sec. 2238. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, company, corporation or asso
ciation engaged in manufacturing in this State and permitted b y law to em ploy child
labor or [om it “ o r ” ] to employ or keep at work any child under fourteen years of
age more than eight hours per day.
Sec. 2239. A ny foreman, clerk, officer, agent or other person who shall violate
either of the provisions of this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon con
viction thereof shall be fined not less than ten dollars and not more than one hundred
dollars.
Sec. 2241. A ny person having the care, custody or control of any minor child
under the age of fifteen years, who shall in any manner sell, apprentice, give away
or otherwise dispose of such child, and any person who shall take, receive or employ
such child for the vocation or occupation of rope or wire walking, or as an acrobat,
gymnast, contortionist, or rider, and any person who, having the care, custody or
control of any minor child shall sell, apprentice, give away or otherwise dispose of
such child, or who shall take, receive or employ such child lor any obscene, indecent
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
583
or illegal exhibition or vocation, or any vocation injurious to the health or danger
ous to the life or lim b of such child engaged therein, or for the purpose of prostitution,
and any person who shall retain, harbor or employ any minor child in or about any
assignation house or brothel, or in any place where any obscene, indecent or illegal
exhibition takes place, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof
before any justice of the peace, mayor, police judge or criminal court shall be fined
not less than ten dollars, nor more than one hundred dollars, to which may be added
imprisonment not exceeding thirty days.
Sec. 2242. Any person having the care, custody or control, lawful or unlawful, of
any minor child under the age of eighteen years, who shall apprentice, give away,
let out, hire, or otherwise dispose of such minor to any person for the purpose of
singing, playing on musical instruments, begging, or for any mendicant business
whatever, in the streets, roads or other highways of the State, and whosoever shall
take, receive, hire, employ, use or have in custody any such [minor] for the vocation,
occupation, calling, service or purpose of singing, playing upon musical instruments
or begging upon the streets, roads or other highways of the State, or for any mendi
cant business whatever, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof
in the manner provided in the first section of this act, shall be fined not less than
five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, to which may be added imprison
ment not exceeding thirty days.
Sec. 2244. A ny person who shall take, receive, hire or employ any child under
twelve years of age in any underground works, or mines, or like place whatsoever,
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof in the manner pro
vided in the first section of this act, shall be fined not less than five dollars nor
more than fifty dollars.
Chapter 81.— H ours o f labor— A ge limit— Illiterates— Employment on elevators.
Section 7087a. No person under sixteen years of age, and no female under eighteen
years of age, employed in any manufacturing or mercantile establishment, laundry,
renovating works, bakery or printing office, shall be required, permitted or suffered
to work therein more than sixty hours in any one week, nor more than ten hours in
any one day, unless for the purpose of making a shorter day on the last day of the
week; nor more hours in any one week than w ill make an average of ten hours per
day for the whole number of days which such person or such female shall so work
during such week; and every person, firm, corporation or company employing any
person under sixteen years of age, or any female under eighteen years of age in any
establishment as aforesaid, shall post and keep posted in a conspicuous place in every
room where such help is employed a printed notice stating the number of hours of
labor per day required of such person for each day of the week, and the number of
hours of labor exacted or permitted to be performed by such persons shall not exceed
the number of hours of labor so posted as being required. The time of beginning and
ending the day’ s labor shall be the time stated in such notice: Provided , That such
female under eighteen and persons under sixteen years of age may begin after the
time set for beginning and stop before the time set in such notice for the stopping of
the day’ s labor, but they shall not be permitted or required to perform any labor
before the time stated on the notices as the time for beginning the day’ s labor, nor
after the time stated upon the notices as the hour of ending the day’ s labor.
Sec. 7087b. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed in any man
ufacturing or mercantile establishment, mine, quarry, laundry, renovating works,
bakery or printing office within this State. It shall be the duty of every person
employing young persons under the age of sixteen years to keep a register, in which
shall be recorded the name, birthplace, age and place of residence of every person
employed by him under the age of sixteen years; and it shall be unlawful for any
proprietor, agent, foreman or other person connected with a manufacturing or mer
cantile establishment, mine, quarry, laundry, renovating works, bakery or printing
office to hire or employ any young person to work therein without there is first pro
vided and placed on file in the office an affidavit made by the parent or guardian,
stating the age, date and place of birth of said young person; if such young person
have no parent or guardian, then such affidavit shall be made by the young person,
which affidavit shall be kept on file by the employer, and said register and affidavit
shall be produced for inspection on demand made by the inspector, appointed under
this act. There shall be posted conspicuously in every room where young persons
are employed, a list o f their names, with their ages, respectively. No young person
under the age of sixteen years, who is not blind, shall be employed in any establish
ment aforesaid, who can not read and write simple sentences in the English lan
guage, except during the vacation of the public schools in the city or town where
584
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
such minor lives. The chief inspector of the department of inspection shall have
the power to demand a certificate of physical fitness from some regular physician in
the case of young persons who may seem physically unable to perform the labor at
which they may be employed, and shall have the power to prohibit the employment
of any minor tnat can not obtain such certificate.
Sec. 7087d. No person, company, corporation or association shall employ or per
mit any young person to have the care, custody, management of or to operate any
elevator.
C h a p t e r 94.— Employment in mines.
S ection 7480. No male person under the age of fourteen years, or female of any
age, shall be permitted to enter any coal mine in this State for the purpose of employ
ment therein, and the parents or guardians of boys shall be required to furnish an
affidavit as to the age of said boy or boys when there is any doubt in regard to their
age; and in all cases of minors applying for work, the owner, operator, agent, or
lessee of any coal mine, shall see that the provisions of this section are not violated.
IO W A .
CODE OF 1897, W IT H REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS CONTAINED IN
SUPPLEMENT OF 1902.
T it l e 12.— C h a p t e r 9.— Employment in mines.
S ection 2489. The owner or person in charge of any mine * * * shall not
allow a boy under twelve years of age to work in the mines, and, when in doubt
regarding the age of one seeking employment, shall, before engaging him, obtain
the affidavit of the applicant’ s parent or guardian in regard thereto. * * *
T it l e 16.— C h a p t e r 4.— Earnings o f minors.
S ection 3191. W here a contract for the personal services of a minor has been made
with him alone, and the services are afterwards performed, payment therefor made
to him, in accordance with the terms of the contract, is a full satisfaction therefor,
and the parent or guardian can not recover a second time.
T it l e 24.— C h a p t e r 10.— Cleaning machinery in motion— Operating dangerous machinery.
S ection 4999-b. * * * No person under sixteen years of age, and no female
under eighteen years of age shall be permitted or directed to clean machinery while
in motion. Children under sixteen years of age shall not be permitted to operate or
assist in operating dangerous machinery of any kind.
K AN SAS.
G EN ERAL STATUTES OF 1901.
C h a p t e r 31.— Certain employments forbidden.
S ection 2034. * * * any person having in his custody or control a child under
the age of fourteen years, who shall in any way dispose of it with a view to its being
employed as an acrobat, or a gymnast, or a contortionist, or a circus-rider, or a rope
walker, or in any exhibition of like dangerous character, or as a beggar, or mendicant,
or pauper, or street singer, or street musician; or any person who shall take, receive,
hire, employ, use, exhibit, or have in custody any child of the age last named for
any of the purposes last enumerated, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and
when convicted thereof shall be subject to punishment by a fine of not more than
two hundred and fifty dollars, or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year,
or both.
C h a p t e r 66a.— Em ploym ent in mines.
S ection 4140. No person under twelve years of age shall be allowed to work in any
coal mine, nor any minor between the ages of twelve and sixteen years unless he can
read and write and furnish a certificate from a school teacher, which shall be kept
on file, showing that he has attended school at least three months during the year;
and in all cases of minors applying for work, the agent of such coal mine shall see
CHILD LABOB IN THE UNITED STATES.
585
that the provisions of this section are not violated; and upon conviction of a willful
violation of this section of this act, the agent of such coal mine shall be fined in any
sum not to exceed fifty dollars for each and every offense.
KENTUCKY.
CONSTITUTION.
Regulation o f employment
S ection 243. The general assembly shall, by law, fix the minimum ages at which
children may be employed in places dangerous to life or health, or injurious to morals;
and shall provide adequate penalties for violations of such law.
STATUTES OF 1894.
C h a p t e r 18.— Certain employments forbidden.
S ection 326. A person who, for gain or reward, employs or causes to be employed,
or who exhibits, uses, or who has in his custody for the purpose of exhibiting or
employing any child actually or apparently under the age of sixteen years, or any
person who, having the care, custody, or control of such child, as parent, relative,
guardian, employer, or otherwise, sells, lets out, gives away, or in any way procures
or consents for gain or reward to the employment or exhibition of such child, either,
first, in begging or receiving alms, or in any mendicant occupation; second, or (being
a female) in peddling or in any wandering occupation; third, or male or female in
any indecent or immoral occupation or practice, or in the exhibition bf any such
child when insane or idiotic; or, fourth, in any practice or exhibition of unusual
danger to the life, limb, health, or morals of the child, is guilty of a misdemeanor,
and shall, for the first offense, be fined not more than twenty dollars, or confined in
the county jail or workhouse, in counties having a workhouse, not more than
ninety days, or both so fined and confined within the discretion of the court; and,
upon conviction for a second, or any subsequent offense, shall be fined in any sum
not exceeding one hundred dollars, or imprisoned in the penitentiary for a term not
exceeding one year, or both so fined and confined within the discretion of the jury.
ACTS OF 1902.
C h a p t e r 16.— A ge limit.
S ection 1. It shall be unlawful for a proprietor, foreman, owner or other person
to employ any child less than fourteen years of age in any workshop, factory, or
mine, in this State; unless said proprietor, foreman or owner shall know the age of
the child, it shall be his or their duty to require the parent or guardian to furnish a
sworn statement of its age, and any swearing falsely to such by the parent or guardian
shall be perjury and punishable as such.
Provided, That if the parent or guardian and the county judge of any county may
consent in writing for such employment, then in that event such employment may
be made, subject to the approval of the county attorney of said county, in the event
of any complaint, and if he thinks after investigation of such complaint, that it is
against the best interests or moral welfare of such infant child he may so notify said
employer and then this act applies as if no consent was given.
Sec. 2. A n y proprietor, foreman or owner employing a child less than fourteen
years of age in conflict with the provisions of this act, except where such proprietor,
foreman or owner has been furnished with a sworn statement of guardian or parent
that the child is more than fourteen years of age, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars and not more
than two hundred and fifty dollars.
LOUISIANA.
BEYISED LAW S, 1897.
A ct N o . 43, A cts o f 1886.— A ge limit— School attendance— Hours o f labor— Time fo r
dinner.
(Page 515.)
S ection 1. No boy under the age of twelve years, and no girl under the age of
fourteen years, shall be employed in any factory, warehouse or workshop where
586
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
the manufacture of any goods whatever is carried on, or where any goods are
prepared for manufacturing.
Sec. 2. No child under the age of fourteen years shall be employed by any person
to labor in any factory, warehouse, workshop, clothing, dressmaking or millinery
establishment, or where any goods are manufactured or prepared for manufacturing,
or attend itinerant musicians through the streets of any town or city within this
State, unless such child shall have attended some public or private day school, where
instruction was given by a teacher qualified to instruct in such branches as are
usually taught in primary schools, at least four months of the twelve months next
preceding the month in which such child shall be so employed: Provided , That a
certificate of such attendance from the director of the school district or principal of
public or private school in which such child shall have so attended school, shall be
evidence of a compliance with the provisions of this section, if acted upon by the
employer in good faith. If any such director or principal shall knowingly make a
false certificate, he shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this act, and shall be
liable to the punishment hereinafter provided.
Sec. 3. Certificates given under the preceding section shall be deposited by the
employer at the time of employing such child, and shall be kept by him on file in
his office, and shall at all times be subject to inspection b y the persons authorized to
make inspections under this act.
Sec. 4 (as amended by act No. 49, acts of 1902). No child, or young person under
the age of eighteen years, * * * shall be employed in any factory, warehouse,
workshop, telephone or telegraph office, clothing, dressmaking or millinery estab
lishment, or in any place where the manufacture of any kind of goods is carried on,
or where any goods are prepared for manufacture, for a longer period than an average
of ten hours in any day, or sixty hours in any week, and at least one hour shall be
allowed in the labor period of each day for dinner.
Sec. 6. A ny person who shall violate any of the provisions of this act shall be
deemed to be guilty of an offense for each violation thereof, and, upon conviction
for the same, shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten nor more than one
hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the parish jail (parish prison in New
Orleans) not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
Sec. 7. In all cities it shall be the duty of the superintendent or the chief officer
of police, by suitable inspections, to see that the regulations of this act are observed,
ana also to prosecute all persons w ho shall violate the same. Such superintendent
or chief officer of police shall detail such portion of the force under him as he shall
deem necessary for the inspection, from time to time, of all the aforesaid places
where such children or young persons may be employed. In towns, the mayor
thereof shall perform the duties above imposed on the superintendent or chief officer
of police in cities.
Sec. 9. The word “ person,” wherever used in this act, shall be deemed to mean
corporations, as well as individuals.
Sec. 10. * * * Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to apply to
domestic or agricultural laborers or industries.
A ct N o . 60, A cts
op
1892.— Operating or cleaning machinery.
(Page 516.)
S e c t io n 1. N o child under the age of twelve years shall be permitted to operate or
clean any part of the machinery in a factory while such part is in motion by the aid
of steam, water or other mechanical power, or to clean any part of such machinery
that is in dangerous proximity to such moving part.
Sec. 2. Whoever, either for himself, or superintendent, foreman, overseer or other
agent of another, violates the provisions of the preceding section, shall be punished
by a fine of not less than ten nor more than twenty-five dollars, or shall be subject
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding thirty days, or both at the discretion of
the court for each offense.
A ct N o . 59, A cts
op
1892.— Certain employments forbidden.
(Page 516.)
S ection 1. Any person who employs or exhibits or gives away for the purpose of
employing or exhibiting a child under fifteen years of age, for the purpose of walking
on a wire or rope, or riding or performing as a gymnast, contortionist or acrobat in
any circus or theatrical exhibition or in any public place whatsoever or who causes,
procures or encourages any such child to engage therein, shall be punished by a fine,
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
587
by any committing magistrate, of not less than ten dollars, nor more than twentyfive dollars or shall be subject to a term of imprisonment not exceeding thirty days
or both at the discretion of the court.
S ec . 2 . No license shall be granted for a theatrical exhibition or public show in
which children under fifteen years of age are employed or [as] contortionists, acro
bats, or in any feats of gymnast or equestrianism or where in the opinion of the
mayor of a city or town authorized to grant licenses, such children are employed in
such a manner as to corrupt their morals or impair their physical health.
M AIN E.
REVISED STATUTES OF 1883.
C h a p t e r 48.— Employment in cotton or woolen manufactories— School attendance— Hours
o f labor.
S ection 13. No child shall be employed or suffered to work in a cotton or woolen
manufactory without having attended a public school, or a private school taught
by a person qualified to be a public teacher; if under twelve years of age, for four
months, if over twelve and under fifteen, for three months, of the year preceding
such employment. A certificate under oath of such teacher, filed with the clerk
or agent before employment, is the proof of such schooling.
Sec. 14. A ny owner, agent or superintendent of such manufactory, for each
violation of the preceding section, forfeits one hundred dollars, to be recovered by
indictment, half to the prosecutor and half to the town where the offense was com
mitted, to be added to its school money. Superintending school committees shall
inquire into such violations, and report them to the county attorney, who shall
prosecute therefor.
Sec. 15. No person under the age of sixteen years shall be employed by any
corporation for more than ten hours of a day. W hoever violates this provision
forfeits one hundred dollars, half to the town where the offense is committed, and
half to the person employed; to be recovered by indictment.
ACTS OF 1887.
C h a p t e r 139.— H ours o f labor— A ge limit— Employment during school term .
.
1 No female minor under eighteen years of age, no male minor under
sixteen years of age, * * * shall [be] employed in laboring in any manufac
turing or mechanical establishment in this State, more than ten hours in any
one day, except when it is necessary to make repairs to prevent the interruption
of the ordinary running of the machinery, or when a different apportionment of
the hours of labor is made for the sole purpose of making a shorter day’ s work for
one day of the week; and in no case shall the hours of labor exceed sixty in a week;
and no male person sixteen years and over shall be so employed as above, more than
ten hours a day during minority, unless he voluntarily contracts to do so with the
consent of his parents, or one of them, if any, or guardian, and in such case he shall
receive extra compensation for his services: Provided , however, Any female of eighteen
years of age or over, may lawfully contract for such labor for any number of hours in
excess of ten hours per day, not exceeding six hours in any one week or sixty hours
in any one year, receiving additional compensation therefor; but during her minor
ity, tne consent of her parents, or one of them, or guardian, shall be first obtained.
Sec. 2 (as amended by chapter 220, acts of 1893). Every employer shall post in
a conspicuous place in every room where such persons are employed, a notice printed
in plain, large type, stating the number of hours’ work required of them on each day
of the week, the exact time for commencing work in the morning, stopping at noon
for dinner, commencing after dinner, and stopping at night; the form of such
printed notice shall be furnished by the inspector of factories, workshops, mines and
quarries hereafter named, and shall be approved by the attorney-general. And the
employment of any such person for a longer time in any day than that so stated,
shall be deemed a violation of section one, unless it appears that such employment
is to make up for time lost on some previous day of the same week, in consequence
of the stopping of machinery upon which such person was employed or dependent
for employment.
Sec. 3. W hoever, either for himself, or as superintendent, overseer or agent of
another, employs or has in his employment any person in violation of the provisions
of section one, and every parent or guardian who permits any minor to be so
S ection
588
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
employed, shall be punished by a fine of not less then twenty-five dollars nor more
than fifty dollars for each offense. A certificate of the age of a minor made by him
and b y his parent or guardian at the time of his employment, shall be conclusive
evidence of his age in behalf of the hirer, upon any prosecution for a violation of the
provisions of section one. W hoever falsely makes and utters such a certificate with
an intention to evade the provisions of this act, shall be subject to a fine of one
hundred dollars.
Sec. 5. No child under twelve years of age, shall be employed in any manufactur
ing or mechanical establishment in this State. W hoever, either for himself, or as
superintendent, overseer or agent of another, employs or has in his employment any
child in violation of the provisions of this section, and every parent or guardian who
permits any child to be so employed, shall be punished b y a fine of not less than
twenty-five nor more than fifty dollars for each offense.
Sec. 6. No child under fifteen years of age shall be employed in any manufacturing
or mechanical establishment in this State, except during vacations of the public
schools in the city or town in which he resides, unless during the year next preced
ing the time of such employment, he has for at least sixteen weeks, attended some
public or private school, eight weeks of which shall be continuous; nor shall such
employment continue unless such child in each and every year, attends some public
or private school for at least sixteen weeks, and no child shall be so employed who
does not present a certificate made under or by the direction of the school committee,
superintendent of the public schools, or the teacher of a private school, that such
child has so attended school. And it shall be the duty of such committee, superin
tendent or teacher, to furnish such a certificate in accordance with the fact upon
request and without charge. * * *
Sec. 7. A ny parent or guardian who procures a child to be employed contrary to
section six, and any corporation, owner, superintendent or agent of the owner, of
such establishment violating the provisions of said section, shall forfeit the sum
of one hundred dollars, one-half to the use of the county, and one-half to the use of
the city or town where the offense is committed. Money so recovered to the use of
the city or town, shall be added to its school money. It shall be the duties of the
school committees and superintendent of public schools, to inquire into violations of
said section and report the same to the county attorney, w ho shall prosecute therefor.
S ec . 8 (as amended b y chapter 220, acts of 1893). Every owner, superintendent or
overseer of any such manufacturing or mechanical establishment shall require and keep
on file, a certificate of the age and place of birth of every child under sixteen years of age
employed therein, so long as such child is so employed, which certificate shall also
state in the case of a child under fifteen years of age, the amount of his school attend
ance during the year next preceding such employment. Said certificate shall be
signed b y a member of the school committee of the place where such attendance has
been had, or by some one authorized b y such committee, * * *. The inspector
of factories, workshops, mines and quarries hereinafter named or either of his assist
ants, may demand the names of the children under sixteen years employed in such
establishment, in the several cities and towns of the State, and may require that the
certificates of age and school attendance prescribed in this section, shall be produced
for his inspection, and a failure to produce the same, shall be prima facie evidence
that the employment of such child is illegal.
M AR YLAN D .
CODE OF PUBLIC G ENERAL LAW S, 1903.
A r t ic l e 27.— H ours o f labor— Certain employments forbidden— Handling intoxicants—
Peddling , etc.
S ectio n 217. No child under sixteen years of age shall be employed in laboring
more than ten hours a day in any manufacturing business or factory established in
any part of the State, or in any mercantile business in the city of Baltimore.
Sec. 218. A n y person w ho shall so employ a child or suffer or permit such employ
ment shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Sec. 219. The word “ suffer or permit,” includes every act or omission, whereby
it becomes possible for the child to engage in such labor.
Sec. 309. A n y person having in his custody or control a child under the age of
fourteen years w ho shall in any way dispose of it with a view to its being employed
as an acrobat, or a gymnast, or a contortionist, or a circus rider, or a rope walker, or
in any exhibition of like dangerous character, or as a beggar or mendicant, or street
singer, or street musician, and any person who shall take, receive, hire, employ, use,
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
589
exhibit or have in custody any child under the age last named for any of the pur
poses herein enumerated shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and when con
victed thereof shall be subject to punishment by fine of not more than one hundred
dollars, or b y imprisonment for a term not exceeding ninety days in jail, or both.
S ec . 311. No person shall employ a minor under sixteen years of age in handling
intoxicating liquors, or in handling packages containing intoxicating liquors, in any
brewery or bottling establishment where intoxicating liquors are prepared for sale
or offered for sale.
S ec . 312. Whoever violates the provisions of section 311, shall be guilty of a mis
demeanor, and on conviction thereof shall in the discretion of the court be fined a
sum not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned
in jail for not less than five nor more than thirty days, in default of payment of said
fine.
S ec . 313. No person engaged in performing upon any musical instrument in, upon
or near to any street, lane, alley or highway, or engaged in selling, vending or dis
posing of any goods, wares or merchandise in, upon or near to any street, lane, alley
or highway, or engaged in any business, occupation or calling in, upon or near to
any street, "lane, alley or highway, and not having a fixed store, shop or place of
business at which so engaged, shall have in his possession or company while so
engaged, any boy or girl under the age of eight years; and any person violating the
provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten dollars for
each and every such offense.
S ec . 398. A ny person having in his care, custody or control any child under the
age of sixteen years, whether as parent, guardian, relative, employer or otherwise,
who shall sell, apprentice, or give away, let out or otherwise dispose of any such child
to any person under any name, title or pretense whatever, and any person, whether
as parent, guardian, relative, employer or otherwise, who shall take, receive, hire,
employ, use or have in custody any such child for the vocation, use, occupation,
calling, service or purpose of singing, playing on musical instruments, rope walking,
dancing, peddling, begging or any mendicant or wandering business whatsoever,
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof before any
competent tribunal, to which such person may be committed for trial, shall be fined
not less than fifty nor more than two hundred and fifty dollars, or be imprisoned in
a county jail for not less than thirty days nor more than a year, or suffer both such
fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the said tribunal; one-half of all fines
so imposed to be paid to the informer.
A r t ic l e 56.— Em ploym ent in barrooms.
S ectio n 97. It shall not be lawful for any person, or for any club or association, or
for any corporation now formed or hereafter to be formed, or for any officer, agent
or employee of any such club, association or corporation, to hire or employ any minor
to sell or dispense anywhere in the State any beer or spirituous or fermented liquors
of any kind at retail, where such beer or liquors are to be drunk upon the premises.
A ny person violating any provision of this section shall upon conviction be fined a
sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.
A r t ic l e 77.— Certificates o f age— Illiterates.
S ection 160. No proprietor or owner of any mill or factory in Allegany County or
the city of Baltimore, other than establishments for manufacturing canned goods, or
manager, agent, foreman or other person in charge thereof, shall employ or retain
in employment in any such mill or factory any person or persons under sixteen years
of age, unless he procures at the time of such employment or retention in employ
ment, and keeps on file and accessible to the attendance officers of said city or county
where such minor is employed, a certificate of the principal or head teacher of the
school which such child last attended, stating that such child is more than twelve
years of age, and a like certificate of the parent or guardian, or other person having
control of such child; but the first named certificate need not be procured if such
child has not attended school in this State. He shall require such certificates, shall
keep them in his place of business during the time the child is in his employment,
and shall show the same during his business hours to any attendance officer who may
demand to see them, or either of them; and for each failure to com ply with any of
the provisions of this section he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined
not exceeding one hundred dollars. W hoever continues to employ any such child
under sixteen years of age, in violation of this section, after being notified of such
violation b y an attendance officer, shall for every day thereafter that such unlawful
590
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
employment continues be fined not less than five nor more than twenty dollars, in
addition to other penalties prescribed b y this section for such offenses. A failure to
produce on demand to an attendance officer any certificate required by this section
shall be prima facie evidence that the child, w ho is or should have been mentioned in
the said certificate, is thus unlawfully employed.
S ec . 161. It shall be the duty of every parent, guardian or other person having
control of a child under sixteen years of age, and of every principal or head teacher
of said school where such child last attended, to furnish every employer of such child
the certificates required b y the preceding section. Such certificates, if in substantial
conformity with the requirements of that section, shall be prima facie evidence of the
facts required to be certified to as therein provided.
S ec . 162. Any parent or guardian or other person having control of a child, or
principal or head teacher who shall make any willfully false statement respecting
any of the facts required to be certified to as provided in sections 160 and 161 of this
subtitle, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not more than
fifty dollars, or to [sic] be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or suffer both fine
and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 163. No person shall employ any minor over twelve and less than sixteen
years of age, and no parent, guardian or other person having control of a child, shall
permit to be employed or retained in employment any such minor under his control,
if the said minor can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the
English language while a public evening school is maintained in the city or election
district or precinct in which such minor resides, unless such minor is a regular
attendant at an evening or other school: Provided , That upon presentation by such
minor of a certificate signed b y a regular practicing physician, and satisfactory to
such officer or officers as the school commissioners for such county or city may desig
nate, showing that the physical condition of such minor would render such attend
ance, in addition to daily labor, prejudicial to health, said officer or officers so
designated may issue a permit authorizing the employment of such minor for such
period and upon such conditions as said officer or officers so designated as aforesaid
may determine. Any person who employs or retains in employment a minor in
violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor
and be fined for each offense not more than one hundred dollars, which fines shall
be paid to the school commissioners for use in supporting evening schools in such
city or county. A n y parent, guardian or other person having control of a child, who
permits to be employed any minor under his control in violation of the provisions of
this section, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined not more than
twenty dollars, which fines shall be also paid to the school commissioners for use in
supporting evening schools in such city and county.
S ec . 164. In said city or county where attendance officers may have been appointed,
it shall be the duty of the school commissioners to designate an attendance officer,
who shall once or more frequently in every year examine into the situation of the
children employed in such mills and factories in said city or county, and to ascertain
whether all the provisions of this subtitle are duly observed and report all violation
thereof to the grand jury of the said city or county.
S ec . 165. Attendance officers may visit all establishments where minors are
employed in said city or county and ascertain whether any minors are employed
therein contrary to the provisions of this subtitle. Attendance officers may require
that the certificate provided for in this subtitle of minors employed in such estab
lishments shall be produced for their inspection.
S ec . 166. A ny person violating any provision of sections 152-165, where no special
provision as to the penalty for such violation is made shall be deemed guilty of a mis
demeanor, and be fined not exceeding fifty dollars for each offense. Sections 152-166
are restricted to Baltimore City and Allegany County.
A r t ic l e 100.— H ours o f labor— A ge lim it
S ectio n 1. No corporation or manufacturing company engaged in manufacturing
either cotton or woolen yarns, fabrics or domestics of any kind, incorporated under
the laws of this State, and no officer, agent or servant o f such named corporation or
manufacturing company, and no person or firm, owning or operating such corpora
tion or manufacturing company within the limits of this State, and no agent or
servant of such firm or person, shall require, permit or suffer its, his or their employees
in its, his or their service, or under his, its or their control, to work for more than
ten hours during each or any day of twenty-four hours, for one full day’ s work, and
shall make no contract or agreement with such employees, or any of them, provid
ing that they or he shall work for more than ten hours for one day’ s work during
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
591
each or any day of twenty-four hours, and said ten hours shall constitute one full
day’ s work.
Sec. 2. Any such named corporation or manufacturing company within the limits
of this State shall be allowed, under the provisions of this section, the privilege of
working male employees, over the age of twenty-one years, over the limit of ten
hours, for the express purpose only of making repairs and improvements, and getting
fires made, steam up and the machinery ready for use in their works, which can not
be done during the limits of the ten hours, the extra compensation for all such work
to be settled between such corporation and manufacturing companies and the em
ployees: Provided , That nothing in this article shall be so construed as to prohibit
any employer from making a contract with his male employees, over the age of
twenty-one years, to work by the hour for such time as may be agreed upon.
Sec. 3. If any such corporation or manufacturing company within the limits of
this State, or any officer, agent or servant of such corporation or manufacturing com
pany in this State, shall do any act in violation of any of the provisions of this article
he or they shall be deemed to have been guilty of misdemeanor, and shall, on con
viction thereof in a court of competent jurisdiction, be fined not less than one hun
dred dollars for each and every offense so committed, together with the cost of such
prosecution, * * *.
Sec. 4. N o proprietor or owner of any mill or factory in this State (other than
establishments for manufacturing canned goods), or manager, agent or foreman, or
other person in charge thereof snail, * * * employ or retain in employment in
any such mill or factory, any person or persons under fourteen years of age, unless
said child is the only support of a widowed mother, invalid father, or is solely
dependent upon such employment for self-support; and if any such proprietor or
owner of any such mill or factory, or manager, agent, foreman or other person in
charge thereof shall willfully violate the provisions of this section, he shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be fined not less than one hundred
dollars for each and every offense so committed and pay the cost of prosecution, onehalf to go to the informer and the other half to the school fund of the county or city
in which the offense shall have been committed: Provided^ That nothing in this sec
tion shall apply to Frederick, Washington, Queen Anne’ s, Carroll, W icom ico, Caro
line, Kent, Somerset, Cecil, Calvert, St. Mary’ s, Prince George’ s, Howard, Baltimore,
Worcester, Garrett, Talbot, Montgomery and Howard counties.
CODE OF PUBLIC LOCAL LAWS, 1888.
.
A rticle 1 — Employment in mines.
Section 209n (added by chapter 124, acts of 1902) Sub-sec. H. No person under
the age of twelve years, or female of any age, shall be permitted to enter any mine to
work therein; nor shall any boy under the age of fourteen years, unless he can read
and write, be allowed to work in any mine. And the mine boss shall see that this
requirement is fully met.
MASSACHUSETTS.
REVISED LAW S OF 1902.
C hapter 44.— Employment o f children unlawfully absent from school.
Section 1. Every child between seven and fourteen years of age shall attend some
public day school in the city or town in which he resides during the entire time the
public day schools are in session, subject to such exceptions as to children, places of
attendance and schools as are provided for in section three of chapter forty-two and
sections three, five and six of this chapter. * * * W hoever induces or attempts
to induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors a
child who, while school is in session, is absent unlawfully from school shall be pun
ished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
C hapter 100.— Employment in barrooms, etc.
Section 60. Whoever, being the holder of a license for the sale of intoxicating
liquors to be drunk on the premises, employs any person under the age of eighteen
years to serve such liquors to be drunk on the premises shall be punished by a fine
of not more than one hundred dollars.
Sec. 61. W hoever employs a minor under the age of eighteen years in handling
592
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
intoxicating liquors or packages containing such liquors in a brewery or bottling
establishment in which such liquors are prepared for sale or offered for sale shall, for
each offense, be punished b y a fine of not less than fifty dollars or by imprisonment
for not less than three months, or b y both such fine and imprisonment. The pro
visions of this section shall not prohibit the employment of minors in drug stores.
C h apter 106.— H ours o f labor— Night work— A ge limit— Illiterates— Time fo r meals—
Certain employments forbidden— Deductions from wages.
Section 23. No child under eighteen years of age * * * shall be employed in
laboring in a mercantile establishment more than fifty-eight hours in a week; but
the provisions of this section shall not apply during December to persons who are
employed in shops for the sale of goods at retail. Every employer shall post in a
conspicuous place in every room in which such persons are employed a printed notice
stating the number of hours’ work which are required of them on each day of the
week, the hours of commencing and stopping such work, and the hour when the time
or times allowed for dinner or other meals begin and end. The printed form of such
notice shall be furnished by the chief of the district police and shall be approved by
the attorney-general. The employment of any such person for a longer time in any
day than that so stated shall be deemed a violation of the provisions of this section.
A n employer, superintendent, overseer or other agent of a mercantile establishment
w ho violates any of the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not
less than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars.
S ec . 24 (as amended by chapter 436, acts of 1902). No child under eighteen years
of age * * * shall be employed in laboring in a manufacturing or mechanical
establishment more than ten hours in any one day, except as hereinafter provided
in this section, unless a different apportionment of the hours of labor is made for the
sole purpose of making a shorter day’ s work for one day of the week; and in no case
shall the hours of labor exceed fifty-eight in a week. Every employer shall post in
a conspicuous place in every room in which such persons are employed a printed
notice stating the number of hours’ work required of them on each day of the week,
the hours of commencing and stopping work, and the hours when the time allowed
for meals begins and ends or, in the case of establishments exempted from the
provisions of sections thirty-six and thirty-seven, the time, if any, allowed for meals.
The printed forms of such notices shall be provided b y the chief of the district
police, after approval by the attorney-general. The employment of such person at
any time other than as stated in said printed notice shall be deemed a violation of
the provisions of this section unless it appears that such employment was to make
up time lost on a previous day of the same week in consequence of the stopping of
machinery upon which he was employed or dependent for employment; but no
stopping of machinery for less than thirty consecutive minutes shall justify such
overtime employment, nor shall such overtime employment be authorized until a
written report oi the day and hour of its occurrence and its duration is sent to the
chief of the district police or to an inspector of factories and public buildings.
S ec . 25. A parent or guardian who permits a minor under his control to be
employed in violation of the provisions of the two preceding sections and any per
son, who, either for himself or as superintendent, overseer or agent for another,
employs any person in violation of the provisions of said sections or fails to post the
notice required by the preceding section or makes a false report of the stopping of
machinery under the provisions of said section shall be punished by a fine of not less
than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars. A certificate of the age of a minor,
made and sworn to by him and by his parent or guardian at the time of his employ
ment in a mercantile establishment, shall be prima facie evidence of his age in any
prosecution under the provisions of this section.
S ec . 26. The form o f complaint heretofore used may be used in prosecutions under
the provisions of section twenty-four, and if substantially followed shall be deemed
sufficient, fully and plainly, substantially and formally, to describe the offenses
therein set forth; but the provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit
the use of any other suitable form.
S ec . 27. No person, and no agent or officer of a person or corporation, shall employ
a * * * minor in any capacity for the purpose of manufacturing between ten
o’ clock at night and six o ’ clock in the morning. W hoever violates the provisions of
this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty nor more than fifty
dollars for each offense.
S ec . 28. No child under the age of fourteen years shall be employed in any factory,
workshop or mercantile establishment. No such child shall be employed at work
performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during the
593
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
hours when the public schools of the city or town in which he resides are in session,
nor be employed at work before six o’ clock in the morning or after seven o’ clock in
the evening.
Sec. 29. No child under sixteen years of age shall be employed in a factory, work
shop or mercantile establishment unless his employer procures and keeps on file,
accessible to the truant officers of the city or town, and to the district police and
inspectors of factories and public buildings, an age and schooling certificate and keeps
two complete lists of all such minors employed therein, one on file, and one con
spicuously posted near the principal entrance of the building in which such children
are employed, and also keeps on file and sends to the superintendent of schools or,
if there is no superintendent, to the school committee a complete list of the names
of all minors employed therein who can not read at sight and write legibly simple
sentences in the English language.
Sec. 30. An age and schooling certificate shall be approved only by the superin
tendent of schools or by a person authorized by him in writing, or, if there is no
superintendent of schools, by a person authorized by the school committee; but no
member of a school committee or other person authorized as aforesaid shall approve
such certificate for any minor then in or about to enter his own employment or the
employment of a firm or corporation of which he is a member, officer or employee.
The person who approves the certificate may administer the oath provided for
therein, but no fee shall be charged therefor.
Sec. 31. An age and schooling certificate shall not be approved unless satisfactory
evidence is furnished by the last school census, the certificate of birth or baptism of
such minor, the register of birth of such minor with a city or town clerk, or in some
other manner, that such minor is of the age stated in the certificate.
Sec. 32. The age and schooling certificate of a minor under sixteen years of age
shall not be approved and signed until he presents the person who is authorized to
approve and sign it an employment ticket duly filled out and signed. A duplicate
of each age and schooling certificate shall be filled out and shall be kept on file by
the school committee. Any explanatory matter may, in the discretion of the school
committee or superintendent of schools, be printed with such certificate. The
employment ticket and the age and schooling certificate shall be separately printed,
and shall be filled out, signed and held or surrendered, as indicated in the following
forms:
e m p l o y m e n t t ic k e t , r e v is e d l a w s , c .
106,
sec .
32.
W hen [name of minor], height [feet and inches], com plexion [fair or dark], hair
[color],
presents an age and schooling certificate duly signed, I intend to employ
- *
pi
[him or h er].
(Signature of intending employer or agent.)
(Tow n or city and date.)
a g e a n d sc h o o lin g c e r t if ic a t e , r e v is e d l a w s , c .
106,
sec .
32.
This certifies that I am the [father, mother, guardian or custodian] of [name of
m inor], and that [he or she] was born at [name of city or tow n], in the county of
[name of county, if known], and State [or country] of
, on the [day and year of
birth], and is now [number of years and months] old.
(Signature of father, mother, guardian or custodian.)
(City or town and date.)
Then personally appeared before me the above-named [name of person signing],
and made oath that the foregoing certificate by [him or her] signed is true to tne
best of [his or her] knowledge and belief. I hereby approve the foregoing certificate
of [name of m inor], height [feet and inches], complexion [fair or dark], hair [color],
having no sufficient reason to doubt that [he or she] is oi the age therein certified.
I hereby certify that [he or she] [can or can not] read at sight and [can or can not]
write legibly simple sentences in the English language.
This certificate belongs to [name of minor in whose behalf it is drawn], and is to
be surrendered to [him or her] whenever [he or she] leaves the service of the cor
poration or employer holding the same; but if not claimed b y said minor within
thirty days from such time, it shall be returned to the superintendent of schools, or,
if there is no superintendent of schools, to the school committee.
(Signature of person authorized to approve and sign, with official character or
authority.)
(City or town and date.)
8674—No. 52—04----- 8
594
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
In the case of a minor who can notread at sight and write legibly simple sentences
in the English language, the certificate shall continue as follows, after the word
“ language” :—
I hereby certify that [h e or she] is regularly attending the [name] public evening
school. This certificate shall continue in force only so long as the regular attendance
of said minor at the evening school is endorsed weekly by a teacher thereof.
Whoever, being authorized to sign the foregoing certificate, knowingly certifies to
any materially false statement therein shall be punished by a fine of not more than
fifty dollars.
Sec. 33. W hoever employs a minor under sixteen years of age, and whoever having
under his control a minor under such age permits such minor to be employed,
in violation of the provisions of sections twenty-eight and twenty-nine, shall for
such offense be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars; and whoever con
tinues to employ a minor in violation of the provisions of either of said sections,
after being notified by a truant officer or an inspector of factories and public
buildings thereof, shall for every day thereafter that such employment continues
be punished by a fine of not less than five nor more than twenty' dollars. A fail
ure to produce to a truant officer or inspector of factories and public buildings an age
and schooling certificate or list required by law shall be prima facie evidence of the
illegal employment of any person whose age and schooling certificate is not produced
or whose name is not so listed. A corporation or employer who retains an age and
schooling certificate in violation of the provisions of said certificate shall be punished
by a fine of ten dollars.
Sec. 34. Truant officers may visit the factories, workshops and mercantile estab
lishments in their several cities and towns and ascertain whether any minors are
employed therein contrary to the provisions of this chapter, and shall report any
cases of such illegal employment to the school committee and to the chief of the
district police or to the inspector of factories and public buildings. Inspectors of
factories and public buildings and truant officers may require that the age and school
ing certificates and lists of minors w ho are employed in such factories, workshops or
mercantile establishments shall be produced for their inspection. Complaints for
offenses under the provisions of this chapter shall be made by inspectors of factories
and public buildings.
Sec. 35 (as amended b y chapter 183, acts of 1902). W hile a public evening school
is maintained in' the city or town in which any minor w ho is over fourteen years of
age and who does not have a certificate signed by the superintendent of schools, or
b y the school committee, or by some person acting under authority thereof, certify
ing to the minor’ s ability to read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the
English language resides, no person shall employ him and no parent, guardian or
custodian shall permit him to be employed unless he is a regular attendant at such
evening school or at a day school; but, upon presentation by such minor of a certifi
cate signed by a registered practising physician and satisfactory to the superintendent
of schools, or, if there is no such superintendent, to the school committee, showing
that his physical condition would render such attendance in addition to daily labor
prejudicial 'to his health, said superintendent or school committee shall issue a per
mit authorizing the employment of such minor for such period as said superintendent
or school committee may determine. Said superintendent or school committee, or
teachers acting under authority thereof, may excuse any absence from such evening
school which arises from justifiable cause. A ny minor not holding the certificate
described above shall furnish to his employer a record of his school attendance each
week while the evening school is in session, and when this record shows unexcused
absences from the sessions his attendance shall be deemed irregular according to this
act. W hoever employs a minor in violation of the provisions of this section shall
forfeit not more than one hundred dollars for each offense to the use of the evening
schools of such city or town. A parent, guardian or custodian who permits a minor
under his control to be employed in violation of the provisions of this section shall
forfeit not more than twenty dollars to the use of the evening schools of such city or
town.
Sec. 36. * * * young persons, five or more in number, who are employed in
the same factory shall be allowed their meal times at the same hour, except that any
such persons who begin work in such factory at a later hour in the morning than
other such persons employed therein may be allowed their meal times at a different
time; but no such persons shall be employed during the regular meal hour in tend
ing the machines or doing the work of any other * * * young persons in addi
tion to their own.
Sec. 37. No * * * young person shall be employed for more than six hours
at one time in a factory or workshop in which five or more such persons are employed
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES,
595
without an interval of at least half an hour for a meal; but such person may be so
emi
en employment
then dismissed
from the factory or workshop for the remainder of the day; or for not more than
seven and one-half hours at one time if he or she is allowed sufficient opportunity
for eating a lunch during the continuance of such employment and if such employ
ment ends not later than two o’ clock in the afternoon, and he or she is then dis
missed from the factory or workshop for the remainder of the day.
Sec. 38. The provisions of the two preceding sections shall not apply to iron works,
glass works, paper mills, letter press establishments, print works, bleaching works
or dyeing works; and the chief of the district police, if it is proved to his satisfaction
that in any other class of factories or workshops it is necessary, by reason of the
continuous nature of the processes or of special circumstances affecting such class, to
exempt it from the provisions of the two preceding sections and that such exemp
tion can be made without injury to the health of the women or young persons
affected thereby, may, with the approval of the governor, issue a certificate granting
such exemption, public notice whereof shall, without expense to the Commonwealth,
be given in the manner directed by said chief.
Sec. 39. If a minor under the age of eighteen years * * * shall, without the
orders, consent or knowledge of the employer or of a superintendent, overseer or
other agent of the employer, labor in a manufacturing or mechanical establishment,
factory or workshop during a part of any time allowed for meals in such establish
ment, factory or workshop, according to the notice required by section twenty-four,
and if a copy of such notice was posted in a conspicuous place in the room where such
labor was performed with a rule of the establishment, factory or workshop forbidding
such minor * * * to labor during such time, then neither the employer nor a
superintendent, overseer or other agent of the employer shall be held responsible for
such labor.
Sec. 40. W hoever either for himself or as a superintendent, overseer or agent
violates the provisions of the four preceding sections shall be punished by a fine of
not less than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars.
Sec. 42. Whoever, either for himself or as superintendent, overseer or agent permits
a child under fourteen years of age to clean any part of the machinery in a factory,
if it is in motion b y the aid of steam, water or other mechanical power, or if it is in
dangerous proximity to such moving part, shall be punished b y a fine of not less than
fifty nor more than one hundred dollars for each offense.
Sec. 43. W hoever employs or permits a child under fifteen years of age to have the
care, custody, management or operation of an elevator, or employs or permits a child
under eighteen years of age to have the care, custody, management or operation of
an elevator running at a speed of over two hundred feet a minute shall be punished
by a fine of not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars for each
offense.
Sec. 44. The State board of health shall, upon the application of any citizen of the
Commonwealth, determine, after such investigation as it considers necessary, whether
or not the manufacture of a particular acid is dangerous or injurious to the health
of minors under eighteen years of age; and its decision shall be conclusive evidence
thereof. W hoever employs a child under eighteen years of age in the manufacture
of an acid after the State board of health has determined that such manufacture is
dangerous or injurious to his health shall be punished b y a fine of one hundred
dollars for each offense.
Sec. 45. No person shall employ, exhibit or sell, apprentice or give away, a child
under fifteen years of age for the purpose of employing or exhibiting him in dancing
on the stage, playing on musical instruments, singing, walking on a wire or rope, or
riding or performing as a gymnast, contortionist or acrobat in a circus, theatrical
exhibition or in any public place, or cause, procure or encourage such child to
engage therein; but the provisions of this section shall not prevent the education of
children in vocal and instrumental music or dancing or their employment as musi
cians in a church, chapel, school or school exhibition, or prevent their taking part
in any festival, concert or musical exhibition upon the special written permission of
the mayor and aldermen of a city or of the selectmen of a town. W hoever violates
the provisions of this section shall be punished b y a fine of not more than two hun
dred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months.
Sec. 46. A license shall not be granted for a theatrical exhibition or public show
in which children under fifteen years of age are employed as acrobats or contortion
ists or in any feats of gymnastics or equestrianism, or in which such children who
belong to the public schools are employed or allowed to take part as performers on
the stage in any capacity, or if, in the opinion of the board authorized to grant
596
BULLETIN OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
licenses, such children are employed in such a manner as to corrupt their morals or
impair their health; but the provisions of this section shall not prevent the granting
of special permission authorized by the preceding section.
S ec . 51. A factory in which five or more persons and a workshop in which five or
more women or young persons are employed shall, while work is carried on therein,
be so ventilated that the air shall not become so impure as to be injurious to the
health of the persons employed therein and so that all gases, vapors, dust or other
impurities injurious to health, w hich are generated in the course o f the manufactur
ing process or handicraft carried on therein shall, so far as practicable, be rendered
harmless.
S ec . 52. If, in a workshop or factory which is within the provisions of the pre
ceding section, any process is carried on by which dust is caused which may be in
haled to an injurious extent b y the persons employed therein, and it appears to an
inspector of factories and public buildings that such inhalation would be substantially
diminished without unreasonable expense by the use of a fan or b y other mechanical
means, such fan or other mechanical means, if he so directs, shall be provided,
maintained and used.
Sec. 53. A criminal prosecution shall not be instituted for any violation of the
provisions of the two preceding sections unless such employer neglects, for four
weeks after the receipt of a notice in writing, to make such changes in his factory or
workshop as shall be ordered by an inspector of factories and public buildings.
S ec . 69. Deductions shall not be made from the wages of * * * minors who
are paid by the day or hour, and are employed in manufacturing or mechanical
establishments, for time during which the machinery is stopped, if said * * *
minors are refused the privilege of leaving the mill while the damage to said ma
chinery is being repaired; ana if such employees are detained in their workrooms
during the time of the breaking down of machinery, they shall not be compelled to
make up time lost by such breakdown unless they are compensated therefor at their
regular rates of wages. W hoever violates the provisions of this section shall be pun
ished b y a fine of not more than twenty dollars for each offense.
S ec . 70. W hoever violates a provision of this chapter for which no specific penalty
is provided shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
C h a p t e r 350.— Employment on elevators.
S ection 1. A ll elevators for the carriage of freight or passengers, running at a speed
of more than one hundred feet a minute, shall be operated by competent persons not
less than eighteen years of age, and no other person shall operate or have the care or
charge of such an elevator.
Sec. 2. No elevator for the carriage of freight or passengers shall be operated by
or placed in charge of any person under sixteen years of age.
Sec. 3. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this act by
operating or causing an elevator to be operated or to be taken care or charge of in any
manner contrary to the provisions of this act shall be punished by a fine of not less
than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars for each offense.
M ICHIGAN.
COMPILED LAW S OF 1897.
C h a p t e r 137.— H ours o f labor— Age limit— Cleaning machinery in motion.
S ec t io n 5365. No male child under fourteen years of age or female under fifteen
years of age shall be employed at labor in factories, or in manufacturing establish
ments or mercantile industries in this State, for a longer period than fifty-four hours
in any week.
S ec . 5366. No child under twelve years of age shall be employed in any factory,
manufacturing or mercantile establishment within this State. It shall be the duty
of every person employing children under the age of fourteen years to keep a register
in which shall be recorded the name, age and residence of every person so employed
by him. A nd it shall be unlawful for any factory, manufacturing or mercantile
establishment to hire or employ any child under the age of fourteen years without
first receiving the permission, in writing, by the parent or guardian, stating the name
and age of said child. If said child have no parent or guardian, there shall be a
written statement under oath by said child.
S ec . 5367. Every person, firm or corporation employing such children in any fac
tory, manufacturing or mercantile establishment shall require the permit or affidavit
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
597
mentioned in section two of this act [section 5366] to be executed before such child
shall be permitted to enter upon the discharge of his duties or employment. No
person, firm or corporation employing less than ten persons or children shall be
deemed a manufacturing or mercantile establishment within the meaning of this act.
S ec . 5369. * * * no minor under fourteen years of age shall be allowed to
clean machinery while in motion. * * *
Sec. 5372. Any person who violates or omits to comply with any of the foregoing
provisions of this act, or who suffers or permits any child to be employed in viola
tion of its provisions, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction
shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed one hundred dollars, or sixty days’
imprisonment, or both in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 5375. No person, company, or corporation shall employ any male child under
fourteen years o f age nor any female under sixteen years of age for more than nine
hours in any one day.
S ec . 5376. A ny person violating the provisions of this act [sections 5375 to 5378]
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined
a sum not exceeding fifty and not less than ten dollars, or by imprisonment in the
county jail not more than thirty nor less than ten days, or by both fine and impris
onment, at the discretion of the court. If any company or corporation shall violate
any of the provisions of this act such company or corporation shall for each violation
forfeit the sum of fifty dollars, to be recovered in an action of debt in any court of
competent jurisdiction.
S ec . 5377. It is hereby made the duty of the prosecuting attorney of the county
where complaint shall be made to investigate all complaints made in violation of
this act that may be brought before him, and, if there is probable cause, to prosecute
in the name of the people of the State of Michigan in courts having competent juris
diction thereof, all offenses contemplated by this act.
S ec . 5378. This act shall not apply to persons engaged in agriculture, or in the per
formance of domestic duties, or clerks in stores.
C h a p t e r 141.— Certain employments forbidden.
S ection 5553. A ny person having the care, custody, or control of any child under
sixteen years of age, who shall exhibit, use, or employ, or who shall apprentice,
give away, let out, or otherwise dispose of any such child to any person in or for the
vocation, service or occupation of rope or wire walking, gymnast, contortionist, rider,
or acrobat, dancing or begging, in any place whatsoever, or for any obscene, inde
cent, or immoral purpose, exhibition or practice whatsoever, or for any exhibition
injurious to the health or dangerous to the life or lim b of such child, or who shall
cause, procure, or encourage such child to engage therein, and any person w ho shall
take, receive, hire, employ, use, exhibit, or have in custody any such child for any
of the purposes mentioned in this section, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
S ec . 5557. Any person who shall sell, give away, or in any way furnish to any minor
child any book, pamphlet, or other printed paper or other thing, containing obscene
language, or obscene prints, pictures, figures or descriptions tending to the corrup
tion of the morals of youth, or any newspapers, pamphlets or other printed paper
devoted to the publication of criminal new's, police reports, or criminal deeds, and
any person w ho shall in any manner hire, use, or employ such child to sell, give
away, or in any manner distribute such books, pamphlets, or printed papers, and
any person having the care, custody, or control of any such child, who shall permit
him or her to engage in any such employment, shall on conviction thereof be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor.
ACTS OF 1901.
A ct N o . 113.— Hours o f labor— A ge limit— Night work— Dangerous employments
forbidden.
S ectio n 1. No male under the age of eighteen years and no female under the age
of twenty-one years shall be employed in any manufacturing establishment in this
State for any longer period than sixty hours in one week unless for the purpose of
making necessary repairs to machinery in order to avoid the stoppage of the ordi
nary running of the establishments, ana no male under the age of eighteen years and
no female under the age of twenty-one years shall be employed in any store in this
State employing more than ten persons for a longer period than sixty hours in one
week: Provided , That no more than ten hours shall be exacted from such male
minors or females under twenty-one years on any day unless for the purpose of
making a shorter work day on the last day of the week.
598
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Sec. 2. No child under the age of fourteen years shall be employed in any manu
facturing establishment, hotel or store within this State. It shall be the duty of
every person employing children to keep a register, in which shall be recorded the
name, birthplace, age and place of residence of every person employed by him under
the age of sixteen years; and no child shall be employed between the hours of six
o’ clock p. m. and seven o ’ clock a. m. in any manufacturing establishment or work
shop in this State; and it shall be unlawful for any manufacturing establishment,
hotel or store to hire or employ any child under the age of sixteen years without
there is first provided and placed on file a sworn statement made by the parent or
guardian, stating the age, date and place of birth of said child, and that the child
can read and write. If said child have no parent or guardian, then such statement
shall be made by the child, which statement shall be kept on file by the employer,
and w hich said register and statement shall be produced for inspection on demand
b y any factory inspector appointed under this act: Provided , That in the city of
Detroit and the city of Grand Rapids all sworn statements must be made before a
deputy factory inspector.
Sec. 3. N o child under the age of sixteen years shall be employed by any person,
firm or corporation conducting any manufacturing establishment in this State, at
employment whereby its life or lim b is endangered, or its health is likely to be injured,
or its morals may be depraved, by such employment. No female under the age of
twenty-one years and no male under the age of eighteen years shall be allowed to
clean machinery while in motion.
Sec. 4. Factory inspectors shall have power to demand a certificate of physical
fitness from the county physician, who shall make such examination free of charge,
in case of persons who seem physically unable to perform the labor at which they
may be employed, and shall have power to prohibit the employment of any person
that can not obtain such a certificate: Provided , This section shall not apply except
to children under sixteen years of age.
ACTS OF 1903.
A ct N o . 106.— Tender o f employment away from home.
S ection 1. * * * it shall be unlawful for any person to make a tender of induce
ment to go away from the home locality to work, to any child under sixteen years
of age unless the written consent of the parents of such child has been first obtained,
as well as the consent of the truant officer or county agent of the board of correc
tions and charities for the locality where said child belongs; and in case such con
sent is obtained and the child goes abroad under the influence of the inducements
so offered, such child under sixteen years of age shall be safely returned to its home
at any time when its parents shall request, in writing, such return. * * *
Sec. 3. Every person found guilty of violating the provisions of this act shall be
punished by a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars or by imprisonment of not less
than ten nor more than sixty days.
MINNESOTA.
G ENERAL STATUTES OF 1894.
C h a p t e r 24.— H ours o f labor— Earnings o f minors.
S ection 2240 (as amended b y chapter 49, acts of 1895). In all trades, professions,
callings and departments of labor and in all manufactories, workshops, mills and
other places wherein persons are employed to perform labor for hire or reward, in
this State, the time of labor for the persons so employed and performing labor,
shall not exceed ten hours for each day, and any owner, stockholder or overseer,
employer, clerk or foreman who shall compel any person or shall permit any child
under the age of fourteen years, so employed, to labor for any more than ten hours
in any one day, where such owner, stockholder or overseer, clerk or foreman has
control, such person so offending shall be liable to a prosecution in the name of the
State of Minnesota, before any justice of the peace, o f [or] court of competent juris
diction of the county wherein the same occurs, and upon conviction thereof shall be
fined in any sum not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars; Provided,
That the provisions of this section shall not apply to agricultural laborers and
domestics employed b y the month and to persons engaged in the care of live stock;
A n d provided further, That extra labor may be performed for extra compensation,
except in the case of children under fourteen years.
599
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
Sec. 2247. It shall be necessary for the parent or guardian of such minor person
as may be in service to notify the party employing such minor that such parent or
guardian claims the wages of such minor and in default of such notification payment
to such minor of wages so earned shall be valid.
C h a p t e r 66.— Earnings o f minors.
S ection 5461. The earnings of any minor child of any debtor within this State, or
the proceeds thereof, shall not be liable to attachment, garnishment, or sale on any
final process of a court, in any action against such debtor, b y reason of any debt or
liability of such debtor not contracted for the especial benefit of such minor child.
C h a p t e r 92a.— Certain employments forbidden— Hours o f labor.
S ection 6539. A person who employs, or causes to be employed, or who exhibits,
uses, or has in his custody for the purpose of exhibiting or employing, any child
apparently or actually under the age of sixteen years, or who, having the care, cus
tody, or control of such child as parent, relative, guardian, employer, or otherwise,
sells, lets out, gives away, or in any way procures or consents to tne employment or
exhibition of such a child, either,
1. As a rope or wire walker, dancer, gymnast, contortionist, rider, or acrobat; or,
2. In begging or receiving alms, or in any mendicant occupation; or,
3. In any indecent or immoral exhibition or practice; or,
4. In any practice or exhibition dangerous or injurious to the life, limb, health, or
morals of the child;
*
*
*
*
*
*
Is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Sec. 6541. A person who compels a child under sixteen years of age to labor more
than ten hours in any day in any factory, workshop or mercantile or manufacturing
business, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
ACTS OF 1895.
C h a p t e r 171.— A ge limit— Night work— Em ploym ent during school term— Illiterates—
Employment on elevators.
S ectio n 1 (as amended by chapter 360, acts of 1897). No child under fourteen (14)
years of age shall be employed at any time in any factory or workshop, or about any
mine. No such child shall be employed in any mercantile establishment nor in the
service of any telegraph, telephone or public messenger company except during the
vacation of the public schools in the town where such child is employed. No child
under sixteen (16) years of age shall be employed at any occupation dangerous or
injurious to life, limb, health or morals; nor at any labor of any kind outside of the
family of such child’ s residence before six o’ clock in the morning, nor after seven
o’ clock in the evening, nor more than ten (10) hours in any one day, nor more than
sixty hours in any one week, except in accordance with the following express per
mission or condition, to wit: Children not less than fourteen years of age may be
employed in mercantile establishments on Saturdays and for ten days each year
before Christmas until ten (10) o ’ clock in the evening: Provided, however, That this
ermission shall not be so construed as to permit such children to toil more than ten
ours in any one day, nor over sixty hours in any one week.
Sec. 2. No child under the age jbelow which all children are by law required to
attend school shall in the year next succeeding any birthday of said child be
employed at any occupation during the hours in which the public schools in the
town or city in which he resides are in session, unless or until in said year he has
attended some school for at least a period of time equal to that required by law for
attendance of school.
Sec. 3. The commissioner of labor, the factory inspector or any assistant factory
inspector shall have power to demand a certificate of physical fitness from some reg
ularly licensed physician in the case of children who may seem physically unable to
perform the labor at which they may be employed, and no minor shall be employed
w ho can not obtain such a certificate.
Sec. 4. No child under sixteen years of age who can not read and write simple
sentences in the English language shall, except in vacations of the public schools be
employed at any indoor occupation, Provided, Such child is not a regular attendant at
a day or evening school. .
Sec. 5 (as amended by chapter 360, acts of 1897). Whenever it appears upon due
E
600
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
examination that the labor of any minor who would be debarred from employment
under the provisions of sections two and four of this act is necessary for the support
of the family to which said minor belongs, or for his own support, the school board
or board of school trustees of the city, village or town in w hich said child resides
may, in the exercise of their discretion, issue a permit or excuse authorizing the
employment of such minor within such time or times as they may fix.
Sec. 6. N o person, firm or corporation shall employ or permit any child under six
teen (16) years of age to have the care, custody, management or operation of any
elevator, or permit any person under eighteen (18) years of age to have the care,
custody, management or operation of any elevator running at a speed of over two
hundred (200) feet a minute.
Sec. 7. No child actually or apparently under sixteen (16) years of age shall be
employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment, or in the service of
any public telegraph, telephone or district messenger company or other corporation,
unless the person, firm or corporation employing said child procures and keeps on
file the certificate required in the case of such child by the following section, and
also keep on file a full and complete list of such children employed therein.
Sec. 8. The employment certificates of children under sixteen (16) years of age
called for by this act shall, in cities and towns having a superintendent of schools,
be signed b y said superintendent or some person authorized b y him in writing so to
the same; in other cities and towns it shall be signed b y some member of the
>ol board authorized by vote of said board to sign such certificates. Said certifi
cate shall contain a statement of the name, birthplace, date of birth, age of child at
date of statement. This statement shall be signed and acknowledged under oath or
affirmation before the person authorized to issue the certificate. The certificate shall
also contain a statement or certificate by the officer issuing the same that the child
can read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language, or that
said child if unable so to read and write is regularly attending a day or evening
school or has been excused by the school board from said attendance as provided by
section five (5), and that if under the age required by law for the attendance of all
children at school, said child has in the year next preceding the issuing of said cer
tificate attended school as required by law. If attendance has been at a private
school there must also be added the signature of the teacher in charge of the same
followed by words certifying to school attendance. The person signing the certificate
shall have authority to administer the oath provided therein but no fee shall be
charged therefor. The commissioner of labor is hereby authorized and directed to
prepare blank certificates such as are called for by this section and furnish the same
to the superintendents of schools and school boards of the State.
Sec. 9. The statement in the certificate giving the birthplace and age of the child
shall be signed by the father, if living, and resident of the same city or town; if not,
by his mother; or if his mother is not living, or if living is not a resident of the same
city or town, by his guardian; if a child has no father or mother or guardian living
in the same city or town his own signature to the certificate may be accepted by the
person authorized to approve the same.
Sec. 10. Every factory, workshop, mine, mercantile establishment or other place
in which or in connection with which children are engaged at labor of any kind,
shall at all times be subject to visitation by the members or agents of the board of
education or board of trustees of the city, town or district in w hich said factory, work
shop, mine, establishment or place is situated.
Sec. 11. The words factory and workshop in this act shall have the same meaning
as set forth in chapter seven (7) of the general laws of eighteen hundred and ninetythree (1898).
Sec. 12. Every parent or guardian of a child under sixteen (16) years of age who
permits the employment of any child contrary to the provisions of this act, or who
m making the statement called for by section eight (8) of this act certifies to any
materially false statement therein, and every owner, superintendent, agent or over
seer of any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment, telegraph, or telephone
company, district messenger company or other corporation who employs or permits
to be employed therein or thereby any child contrary to the provisions of this act,
and any person w ho employs a child contrary to the provisions of this act or violates
the provisions of section ten (10) of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and
upon conviction thereof before any competent court shall* be fined not less than
twenty (20) nor more than (50) dollars for each and every offense. A failure to
produce to an officer or employee of the bureau of labor, or to a member or author
ized agent of the board of education or board of trustees of the city or school district
in w hich the said child is employed, on demand, the certificate and register required
by this act, shall be prima facie evidence of the illegal Employment of the child
whose certificate is h ot produced.
X
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
601
MISSISSIPPI.
REVISED CODE OF 1892.
C h a p t e r 29.— Enticing fo r purpose o f employment.
S ection 1003. A ny person who shall persuade, entice, or decoy away from its
father or mother, with whom it resides, any child under the age of twenty-one years
if a male, or eighteen if a female, being unmarried, for the purpose of employing
such child without the consent of its parents, or one of them, shall, upon conviction,
be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars, or imprisonment in the
county jail not more than thirty days, or both.
MISSOURI.
REVISED STATUTES OF 1899.
C h a p t e r 15.— A r t ic l e 8.— Certain employments forbidden— A ge limit.
S ection 2186. It shall be unlawful for any person having the care, custody or con
trol of any child under the age of fourteen years to exhibit, use or employ, or in any
manner, or under any pretense, sell, apprentice, give away, let out or otherwise
dispose of any such child to any person in or for the vocation or occupation, service or
purpose of singing, playing on musical instruments, rope or wire walking, dancing,
begging or peddling, or as a gymnast, contortionist, rider or acrobat in any place
whatsoever, or for any obscene, indecent or immoral purpose, exhibition or practice
whatsoever, or for or in any business, exhibition or vocation injurious to the health
or dangerous to the life or limb of such child, or cause, procure or encourage any
such child to engage therein. Nothing in this section contained shall apply to or
affect the employment or use of any such child as a singer or musician in any church,
school or academy, or at any respectable entertainment, or the teaching or learning
the science or practice of music.
S ec . 2187. It shall also be unlawful for any person to take, receive, hire, employ,
use, exhibit or have in custody any child under the age and for the purposes pro
hibited in section 2186 of this article.
S ec . 2188. A ny person convicted under the provisions of the two preceding sections
shall for the first offense be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars, or imprisoned
in the county jail not exceeding three months, or both, in the discretion of the court,
and, upon conviction for a second or any subsequent offense, shall be fined in any
sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in the penitentiary for a term
not exceeding two years, or both, in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 2189. No child under the age of fourteen years shall be employed in any
manufacturing or mechanical establishment in this State wherein steam, water or
any other mechanical power is used in the manufacturing process carried on therein,
or, where the work to be done by such child would, in the opinion of two reputable
physicians in the locality where such work is to be done, be dangerous to the health
of such child.
S ec . 2190. A ny person, firm or corporation, or its agent, who employs, and any
parent or person in charge of such child who permits the employment of such child
in violation of this article, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon
conviction, be fined not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars, or impris
onment [imprisoned] in the county jail for a period of not less than two days nor
more than ten days, or both fined and imprisoned, for each offense: Provided , That
extreme poverty of the parent, or person in charge of such child, shall be a good
defense to such proceeding.
C h a p t e r 91.— A r t ic l e 17.— Cleaning machinery.
S ection 6434. No minor * * * shall be required to clean any part of the mill,
gearing or machinery in any such establishment in this State, while the same is in
motion, or work between the fixed or traversing parts of any machine, while it is in
motion by the action of steam, water or other mechanical power.
C h a p t e r 133.— A r t ic l e 2.— Em ploym ent in mines.
S ection 8811 (as amended by act approved March 22,1901, page 211, acts of 1901).
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
No male person under the age ot twelve years * * * shall be permitted to
enter any mine to work therein, nor shall any boy under the age of fourteen years,
602
BULLETIN OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
unless he can read and write, be allowed to work in any mine. Any party or person
neglecting or refusing to perform the duties required to be performed by the pro
visions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and punished by a
fine in the discretion of the court trying the same. * * *
S ec . 8812. No owner, agent or operator of any mine operated by shaft or slope
shall place in charge of any engine whereby men are lowered into or hoisted out of
the mines any but an experienced, competent and sober person not under eighteen
years of age. * * *
C h a p t e r 161.— A r t ic l e 4.— Night work in bakeries.
S ection 10088. *
* * No person under the age of sixteen years shall be
employed in any bake shop between the hours of nine o’ clock at night and five
o’ clock in the morning.
M ONTANA.
CODES AND STATUTES—SANDERS’ EDITION— 1895.
P o l it ic a l C o d e .
P a r t I I I .— Em ploym ent during school term — Illiterates.
S ection 1920 (as amended b y chapter 45, acts of 1903). * * * Every parent,
guardian or other person having charge of any child between the ages of eight and
fourteen years shall send such child to a public, private, or parochial school, for the
full time that the school attended is in session, w hich shall in n o case be for less
than sixteen weeks during any current year, and said attendance shall begin within
the first week of the school term, unless the child is excused from such attendance
* * *, upon satisfactory showing, either that the bodily or mental condition of
the child does not permit of its attendance at school, or that the child is being
instructed at home b y a person qualified, * * * or that there is no school taught
the required length of time within 2£ miles of the residence of such child by the
nearest traveled road: Provided , That no child shall be refused admission to any
public school on account of race or color. * * *
S ec . 1921 (as amended b y chapter 45, acts of 1903). No child under fourteen years
of age shall be employed or be in the employment of any person, company or corpo
ration during the school term and while the public schools are in session, unless such
child shall present to such person, company or corporation an age and schooling cer
tificate herein provided for. An age and schooling certificate shall be approved only
b y the superintendent of schools, or by a person authorized by him, in city or other
districts having such superintendent, or b y the clerk of the board of trustees in vil
lage and townsnip districts not having such superintendent, upon a satisfactory proof
of the age of such minor and that he has successfully completed the studies enum
erated in section 1920 of this article; or if between the ages of fourteen and sixteen
years, a knowledge of his or her ability to read and write legibly the English language.
The age and schooling certificate shall be formulated b y the superintendent of public
instruction and the same furnished, in blank, by the clerk of the board of trustees or
the clerk of the district. Every person [,] company, or corporation employing any
child under sixteen years of age, shall exact the age and schooling certificate pre
scribed in this section, as a condition of employment and shall keep the same on file,
and shall upon the request of the truant officer hereinafter provided for, permit him
to examine such age and schooling certificate. A ny person, company, or corpora
tion, employing any minor contrary to the provisions of this section shall be fined
not less than twenty five nor more than fifty dollars for each and every offense.
S ec . 1922 (as amended by chapter 45, acts of 1903). All minors over the age of
fourteen and under the age of sixteen years, w ho can not read and write the English
language shall be required to attend school as provided in section 1920, of this article
and all the provisions of said section shall apply to said minors; Provided , That such
attendance shall not be required of such minors after they have secured a certificate
from the superintendent of schools in districts having superintendents, or the clerk
of the board of trustees in districts not having superintendents, that they can read,
and write the English language. No person, company or corporation shall employ
any such minor during the time schools are in session, or having such minor in their
employ shall immediately cease such employment, upon notice from the truant officer
w ho is hereinafter provided. Every person, company, or corporation violating the
provisions of this section shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than fifty
dollars for each and every offense.
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
603
S ec . 1924 (as amended by chapter 45, acts of 1903). * * * The truant officer
shall be vested with police powers, the authority to serve warrants, and have
authority to enter workshops, factories, stores and all other places where children
may be employed, and do whatever may be necessary, in the way of investigation
or otherwise to enforce the provisions of this act; * * *
C iv il Code.
Earnings o f minors,
S ectio n 299. The wages of a minor employed in service may be paid to him until
the parent or guardian entitled thereto gives the employer notice that he claims such
wages.
P en al Code.
Certain employments forbidden.
S ection 472. Any person, whether as parent, relative, guardian, employer or other
wise, having in his care, custody or control any child under the age of sixteen years,
who shall sell, apprentice, give away, let out or otherwise dispose of any such child
to any person, under any name, title or pretense, for the vocation, use, occupation,
calling, service, or purpose of singing, playing on musical instruments, rope walking,
dancing, begging or peddling in any public street or highway, or in any mendicant
or wandering business whatever; and any person who shall take, receive, hire,
employ, use or have in custody any child for such purposes, or either of them, is
guilty of a misdemeanor.
Sec. 474. Every person who receives or employs any child under fourteen years of
age in any underground works or mine, or in any similar business, is punishable by
a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.
NEBRASKA.
COMPILED STATUTES OF 1881—TENTH EDITION, 1901.
P a r t I I I . — C r im in a l C o d e .
C h a p t e r 23.— Employment during school term.
S ection 6953. Any male or female child under the age of ten years shall not be
employed in any manufacturing, mechanical, industrial or mercantile establishment.
Sec. 6954. A ny male or female child under the age of fourteen years shall not be
employed in any manufacturing, mechanical, industrial or mercantile establishment,
except during the vacations of the public schools; unless during the year next pre
ceding such employment, said child has for at least twenty weeks attended some
public or private day school where the English [language] is taught; nor shall such
employment continue, unless such child shall in each and every year attend school
as herein provided, and no child shall be so employed who does not present a cer
tificate signed b y the president and secretary of the school board of the school district
in which said child resides, of their compliance with the requirements of this sec
tion. Nor shall any owner, superintendent or overseer of any such establishment,
parent or guardian consent to or permit the employment of any child contrary to the
provisions of this act.
Sec. 6955. A ny owner, superintendent or overseer of any such establishment shall
require and keep on file, open to the inspection of the public, a certificate of the age,
place of birth and residence of every male and female child under sixteen years of
age employed therein, so long as such child is so employed; which certificate shall
also state, in case the child is under fourteen years of age, the amount of said child’ s
school attendance during the year next preceding his employment, and such certifi
cate thall be signed by the president and secretary of the school board of the school
district in which such child resides, and the forms of certificate herein referred to
shall be approved by the attorney general of this State.
Sec. 6955a. A n y person who shall be convicted of a violation of any of the provi
sions of this act shall pay for every such offense a fine of not less than twenty dollars
nor more than fifty dollars: Providedy however, That no conviction shall be had under
this act, unless the proceedings therefor shall be commenced within one year after
the offense shall have been committed.
604
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
S ec . 6955b. It is hereby made the duty of the deputy labor commissioner of this
State upon complaint being filed with him to inspect any and all establishments to
which this act applies, and ascertain whether any of the provisions of this act have
been violated. Whenever it shall come to his knowledge that any of the provisions
of this act have been or [are] being violated, it shall be his duty to cause the same
to be enforced: Provided , however, That nothing in this section contained shall be
construed to prevent any other person from causing the enforcement of the provisions
of this act.
N E W HAM PSHIRE.
PUBLIC STATUTES OF 1891.
C h a p t e r 92.— Employment during school term .
S ection 17 (as amended by chapter 70, acts of 1899). Truant officers shall, under
the direction of the school board, enforce the laws and regulations relating to truants
and children between the ages of eight and sixteen years not attending school and
without any regular and lawful occupation, and the laws relating to the attendance
at school of children between the ages of eight and sixteen years.
S ec . 16 (as amended b y chapter 70, acts ot 1899). Truant officers shall, if required
b y the school board, enforce the laws prohibiting the employment of children in
manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile establishments who have not attended
school the prescribed time; and for this purpose, they may, when so authorized and
required by vote of the school board, visit the manufacturing, mechanical, and mer
cantile establishments in their respective cities and towns, ana ascertain whether any
children under the age of sixteen are employed therein contrary to the provisions of
law, and they shall report any cases of such illegal employment to the school board;
and the truant officers, when authorized as aforesaid, may demand the names of all
children under sixteen years of age employed in such manufacturing, mechanical,
and mercantile establishments, ana may require that the certificates and lists of such
children provided for by law shall be produced for their inspection. Truant officers
shall inquire into the employment, otherwise than such manufacturing, mechanical,
and mercantile establishments, of children under* the age of sixteen years, during
the hours when the public schools are in session, and may require that the certificates
of all children under sixteen shall be produced for their inspection; and any such
officer may bring a prosecution against a person or corporation employing any such
child, otherwise than as aforesaid, during the hours when the public schools are in
session, contrary to the provisions of law. A refusal or failure on the part of an
employer of children under sixteen years of age to produce the certificate required
by la w , when requested by a truant officer, shall be prim a facie evidence of the illegal
employment of the child whose certificate is not produced. Truant officers shall
have authority without a warrant to take and place in school any children found
employed contrary to the laws relating to the employment of children, or violating
the laws relating to the compulsory attendance at school of children between the
ages of six and sixteen years.
C h a p t e r 93.— A ge limit— Illiterates.
S ectio n 10 (as amended b y chapter 61, acts of 1901). No child under the age of
twelve years shall be employed in any manufacturing establishment. No child
under tne age of fourteen years shall be employed in any manufacturing establish
ment, nor in any mechanical, mercantile, or other employment during the time in
which the public schools are in session in the district in w hich he resides.
S ec . 11 (as am ended, b y chapter 61, acts of 1901). No child under the age of six
teen years shall be employed in any manufacturing establishment, or in any mechan
ical, mercantile, or other employment, during the time in which the public schools
are in session in the district in which he resides, without first presenting a statement
of his age from his parent or guardian, sworn to before the superintendent of schools
or, if there is no superintendent of schools, by some person authorized by the school
board of the district in which such child is employed.
And no child under the age of sixteen years shall be employed as aforesaid during
the time in which the public schools are in session in the district in which he resides
without first presenting a certificate from the superintendent of schools or, if there
is no superintendent of schools, some person authorized b y the school board, that
such child can read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language.
And any superintendent of schools or person authorized by the school board wno
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
605
certifies falsely as to matters prescribed by this section shall be fined not less than
twenty nor more than fifty dollars for each offense.
Sec. 12 (as amended by chapter 61, acts of 1901). No minor shall be employed in
any manufacturing establishment, or in any mechanical, mercantile, or other
employment, w ho can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the
English language, while a free public evening school is maintained in the district in
which he resides, unless he is a regular attendant at such evening school or at a day
school: Provided , That upon presentation b y such minor of a certificate signed by a
regular practicing physician, and satisfactory to the superintendent of schools, or,
where there is no superintendent of schools, the school board, showing that the
physical condition of such minor would render such attendance in addition to daily
labor prejudicial to his health, said superintendent of schools or school board shall
issue a permit authorizing the employment of such minor for such period as said
superintendent of schools or school board may determine. Said superintendent of
schools or school board, or teachers acting under authority thereof, may excuse any
absence from such evening school arising from justifiable cause. Any parent, guar
dian, or custodian w ho permits to be employed any minor under his control in vio
lation of the provisions of this section shall forfeit not more than twenty dollars for
the use of the evening schools of such town or city.
Sec. 13 (as amended by chapter 61, acts of 1901). If any owner, agent, superin
tendent, or overseer of a manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile establishment, or
any other person, shall employ any child in violation of the provisions of either of
the three preceding sections, he shall be fined not exceeding fifty dollars for each
offense, for the use of the district.
Sec. 18. It shall be the duty of the school board to prosecute offenders for viola
tions of the provisions of this chapter. If they neglect to perform this duty they
shall forfeit twenty dollars for each neglect, for the use of the district, to be recov
ered in the name of the district by the selectmen of the town. All necessary expenses
incurred in such proceedings shall be paid by the district.
Sec. 19. No prosecution under this chapter shall be sustained unless begun within
one year after the offense is committed.
Chapter 180.— Hours o f labor.
Section 14. * * * no minor under eighteen years of age shall be employed in
a manufacturing or mechanical establishment for more than ten hours in one day,
except in the following cases:
I. To make a shorter day’ s work for one day in the week.
II. To make up time lost on some day in the same week in consequence of the
stopping of machinery upon which such person was dependent for employment.
III. When it is necessary to make repairs to prevent interruption o f the ordinary
running of the machinery.
In no case shall the hours of labor exceed sixty in one week.
Sec. 15. The proprietors of every such establishment shall keep posted in a con
spicuous place in every room where such persons are employed a notice printed in
plain, large letters, stating the exact time of beginning and of stopping work in the
forenoon and in the afternoon, and the number of hours’ work required of them
each day of the week.
Sec. 16. I f any owner, agent, superintendent, or overseer of any such establish
ment shall willfully violate the provisions of either of the two preceding sections, he
shall be fined not exceeding fifty dollars for each offense.
Sec. 17. A certificate of the age of a minor, made by him and by his parents or
guardian and presented to the employer at the time the minor is employed, shall be
conclusive evidence of his age upon a prosecution for the violation of the provisions
of section fourteen.
Sec. 18. If any person shall make and utter a false certificate in regard to the age
of a minor, with intent to evade the provisions of this chapter, he shall be fined
twenty-five dollars, or be imprisoned thirty days, or both, for each offense.
Sec. 19. * * * Prosecutions under sections sixteen and eighteen shall be barred
unless begun within one year after the offense was committed.
Chapter 265.— Certain employments forbidden.
Section 3. If any person shall employ or exhibit a child under the age of fourteen
years in dancing, playing on musical instruments, singing, walking on a wire or
rope, or riding or performing as a gymnast, contortionist, or acrobat in any circus or
theatrical exhibition, or in any public place whatsoever, or shall cause, procure,
606
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
or encourage any such child to engage therein, or if any person having the custody
or control of any such child shall permit him to be so employed, such person shall
be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars; but nothing in this section shall be
construed to prevent the education of children in vocal and instrumental music, or
their employment as musicians in any church, chapel, or school, or school exhibition,
or to prevent their taking part in any concert or musical exhibition.
N E W JERSEY.
G ENERAL STATUTES— 1895.
Age limit.
(Page 1900.)
S ection 11 (as amended by chapter 201, acts of 1903). No child under the age of
fourteen years shall be employed in any factory, workshop, mine or establishment
where the manufacture of any goods whatever is carried on.
S ec . 14. Every manufacturer, merchant or other employer, employing any per
son contrary to the provisions of this act, or who shall be guilty o f any violation
hereof, shall be liable to a penalty of fifty dollars for each offense, to be recovered in
an action of debt in any district court in any city, or before any justice of the peace
having due jurisdiction, and that any parent or guardian, w ho knowingly permits
the employment of such child or children, shall be liable in a like action to a penalty
of not more than fifty dollars, as the court shall fix; * * * an affidavit of the age
of any minor, made by its parent or guardian at the time of its employment, shall
be conclusive evidence of the age of such minor upon any trial against a manufacturer
or employer for the violation of this act, but any parent or guardian that shall know
ingly swear falsely in such affidavit shall be guilty of perjury, and the inspector or
deputy inspector shall be authorized, in case they shall find' any minor employed
under any false affidavit given as aforesaid, to order and compel such minor to desist
from work; the provisions of this act in relation to the hours of employment shall
not apply to or affect any person engaged in preserving perishable goods in fruit
canning establishments.
S ec . 19. The title of the inspector * * * , and the deputies hereinafter pro
vided for, shall be respectively “ factory and workshop inspector” and “ deputy
inspectors,” and it shall be their duty to enforce * * * all * * * laws relat
ing to the * * * employment, safety, protection and compulsory attendance at
school of minors, and to institute all suits or actions in the name of the inspector
* * * , but no action shall be begun by any deputy inspector without the written
direction of the inspector * * * .
S ec . 21. The inspector and his deputies shall have power to demand a certificate
of physical fitness from some regular practicing physician in the case of minors who
may seem to them physically unable to work, and w ho shall have power to prohibit
the employment of any minor that can not obtain such a certificate.
S ec . 22. A ny parent or guardian, when so required by the inspector, or one of his
deputies, shall furnish to such inspector or deputy a certificate from the office of
registration of births, or in the absence of such certificate, an affidavit or affidavits
of the age of such minor, and if any one shall knowingly swear falsely in any such
affidavit, the person or persons so swearing shall be guilty of perjury, and liable to
indictment and punishment accordingly.
S ec . 29. It will be illegal for any one to delay the factory inspectors in the exercise
of their duties, or conceal or attempt to conceal any child or children from examina
tion by the inspectors.
S ec . 30. Every manufacturer, merchant or other person who shall be guilty of any
violation of the provisions of this act, shall be liable to a penalty of fifty dollars for
each offense, * * * .
Cleaning machinery— Unhealthful employments— H ours o f labor.
(Page 2345.)
S ection 30. No minor
* * * shall clean any part of the m ill gearing or
machinery in any factory or workshop while the same is in motion, or work between
the fixed or traversing parts of any machine while it is in motion b y the action of
steam, water or other mechanical power.
Sec. 49. No minor below the age of sixteen shall be employed at any work danger
ous to health, without a certificate of fitness from a reputable physician.
CHILD LABOR IK THE UNITED STATES.
607
Sec. 66. * * * , fifty-five hours shall constitute a week’ s work in any factory,
workshop, or establishment where the manufacture of any goods whatever is car
ried on; and the periods of employment shall be from seven o ’ clock in the forenoon
until twelve o’ clock noon, and from one o ’ clock in the afternoon until six o ’ clock in
the evening of every working day except Saturday, upon w hich last named day the
period of employment shall be from seven o ’ clock in the forenoon until twelve
o’ clock noon.
Sec. 67. No person under the age of eighteen years, male or female, * * *
shall be employed in any factory, workshop, or manufacturing establishment except
during the periods of employment hereinbefore mentioned: Provided , That the pro
visions in this act in relation to the hours of employment shall not apply to or affect
any person engaged in preserving perishable goods in fruit canning establishments
or in any factory engaged in the manufacture of glass.
Sec. 68. The inspector of factories shall investigate any reported violation of the
provisions of this act and of the act to which this is a supplement, after it has been
discovered by him or brought to his notice, and may proceed against the violator or
violators in the manner prescribed by the act to which this is a supplement.
Sec. 69. Any manufacturer or other employer w ho shall violate any of the pro
visions of this act shall be liable to a penalty of one hundred dollars for each offense,
to be recovered in the same way and for the same purpose as prescribed in the act to
which this is a supplement.
School attendance.
(Page 3039.)
S ection 146. No child under the age of fifteen years shall be employed by any
person, company or corporation to labor in any business whatever, unless such child
shall have attended, within twelve months immediately preceding such employ
ment, some public day or night school, or some well-recognized private school; such
attendance to be for five days or evenings every week during a period of at least
twelve consecutive weeks, w hich may be divided into two terms of six consecutive
weeks each, so far as the arrangement of school terms w ill permit, and unless such
child or his or her parents or guardians shall have complied with the provisions of
the act approved March fifth, eighteen hundred and eighty-three, limiting the
employment hours of the labor of children.
ACTS OF 1896.
C h a p t e r 181.— Night work in bakeries.
S ection 10 (added by chapter 64, acts of 1903). No person under the age of eight
een years shall be employed, or required, permitted or suffered to work, in a biscuit,
bread or cake bakery between the hours of seven o’ clock in the afternoon and seven
o’ clock in the forenoon.
ACTS OF 1898.
C h a p t e r 235.— Certain employments forbidden.
S ectio n 56. A ny person who, whether as parent, relative, guardian, employer, or
otherwise, having in his or her custody or control, lawfully or unlawfully, any minor
child under the age of eighteen years, w ho shall sell, apprentice, give away, let out,
employ, hire or otherwise dispose of such minor or minors for the purpose of beg
ging, singing and playing on a musical instruments [instrument], rope-walking,
dancing, or for any mendicant or wandering business whatsoever, or in any immoral
conduct or occupation in the streets, roads and other highways or public places of
this State, and any person w ho shall take, receive, hire, employ, use or have in
custody any such minor or minors, under the age of eighteen years, and use or
employ him, her or them in any such purpose, or any of them, for any mendicant
or immoral business whatsoever, either in public or private places within this State,
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and punished accordingly; and if, upon such con
viction, the minor or minors shall have no home or means of support and no one to
take proper care of him, her or them, the court may, in its discretion, if it shall
appear a humane and proper thing to do, commit such minor or minors to the State
reform school for boys, or the State industrial school for girls, until such minor or
minors attain the age of eighteen years, or for a less age, in the discretion of the court.
608
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOE.
N E W YORK.
REVISED STATUTES—TH IR D EDITION—1901.
Certain employments forbidden.
(Page 428.)
S ection 18. A person who employs or causes to be employed, or who exhibits,
uses, or has in custody, or trains for the purpose of the exhibition, use or employ
ment of, any child actually or apparently under the age of sixteen years; or w ho
having the care, custody or control of such a child as parent, relative, guardian,
employer, or otherwise, sells, lets out, gives away, so trains, or in any way procures
or consents to the employment, or to such training, or use, or exhibition of such
child; or who neglects or refuses to restrain such child from such training, or from
engaging or acting, either
1. As a rope or wire walker, gymnast, wrestler, contortionist, rider or acrobat; or
upon any bicycle or similar mechanical vehicle or contrivance; or,
2. In begging or receiving or soliciting alms in any manner or under any pretense,
or in any mendicant occupation; or in gathering or picking rags, or collecting cigar
stumps, bones or refuse from markets; or in peddling; or,
3. In singing; or dancing; or playing upon a musical instrument; or in a theatrical
exhibition; or in any wandering occupation; or
4. In any illegal, indecent or immoral exhibition or practice; or in the exhibition
of any such child when insane, idiotic, or when presenting the appearance of any
deformity or unnatural physical formation or development; or
5. In any practice or exhibition or place dangerous or injurious to the life, limb,
health or morals of the child, is guilty of a misdemeanor. But this section does not
apply to the employment of any child as a singer or musician in a church, school or
academy; or in teaching or learning the science or practice of music; or as a musician
in any concert or in a theatrical exhibition, with the written consent of the mayor
of the city, or the president of the board of trustees of the village where such concert
or exhibition takes place. Such consent shall not be given unless forty-eight hours
previous notice of the application shall have been served in writing upon the society
mentioned in section two hundred and ninety-three of the Penal Code [any incor
porated society for the prevention of cruelty to children], if there be one within the
county, and a hearing had thereon if requested, and shall be revocable at the w ill of
the authority giving it. It shall specify the name of the child, its age, the names
and residence of its parents or guardians, the nature, time, duration and number of
performances permitted, together with the place and character of the exhibition.
But no such consent shall be deemed to authorize any violation of the first, second,
fourth or fifth subdivisions of this section.
Em ploym ent during school term .
(Page 645.)
S ectio n 316 (as amended b y chapter 459, acts of 1903). It shall be unlawful for
any person, firm or corporation to employ any child under fourteen years of age,
in any business or service whatever, during any part of the term during which the
public schools of the district in which the child resides are in session; or to employ
any child between fourteen and sixteen years of age who does not, at the time of
such employment, present a certificate signed by the superintendent of schools or by
the principal or the principal teacher of the city or district in w hich the child resides
or b y the principal or the principal teacher of the school where the child has attended
or is attending, or b y such other officer as the school authorities may designate, cer
tifying that such child during the school year next preceding his application for
such certificate, has attended for not less than one hundred and thirty days the pub
lic schools, or schools having an elementary course equivalent thereto, in such city
or district and that such child can read and write easy English prose and is familiar
with the fundamental operations of arithmetic; or to employ, in a city of the first
class or a city of the second class, any child between fourteen and sixteen years of
age who has not completed such course of study as the public elementary schools of
such city require for graduation from such schools and w ho does not hold either a
certificate of graduation from the public elementary school or the preacademic cer
tificate issued by the regents of the university of the State of New Y ork or the cer
tificate of the completion of an elementary school issued by the department of public
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
609
instruction, unless the employer of such child, if a boy, shall keep and shall display
in the place where such child is employed and shall show whenever so requested
b y any attendance officer, factory inspector, or representative of the police depart
ment, a certificate signed by the school authorities or such school officers in said
city as said school authorities shall designate, which school authorities, or officers
designated by them, are hereby required to issue such certificates to those entitled
to them not less frequently than once in each month during which said evening
school is in session and at the close of the session of said evening school, stating that
said child has been in attendance upon said evening school for not less than six hours
each week for such number of weeks as will, when taken in connection with the
number of weeks such evening school will be in session during the remainder of the
current or calendar year, make up a total attendance on the part of said child in said
evening school of not less than six hours per week for a period of not less than six
teen weeks, and any person who shall employ any child contrary to the provisions
of this section or who shall fail to keep and display certificates as to the attendance
of employees in evening schools when such attendance is required by law shall, for
each offense, forfeit and pay to the treasurer of the city or village, or to the super
visor of the town in which such child resides, a penalty of fifty dollars, the same,
when paid, to be added to the public school moneys of the city, village or district
in which such child resides.
Earnings o f m inors.
(Page 1049.)
S ectio n 42. Where a minor is in the employment of a person other than his parent
or guardian, payment to such minor of his wages is valid, unless such parent or
guardian notify the employer in writing, within thirty days after the commencement
of such service, that such wages are claimed by such parent or guardian, but when
ever such notice is given at any time payments to the minor shall not be valid for
services rendered thereafter.
A ge limit— Night work— H ours o f labor— Overtime work— Employment on elevators—
Cleaning and operating machinery— Polishing.
(Page 2098.)
S ection 70 (as amended by chapter 184, acts of 1903). No child under the age of
fourteen years shall be employed, permitted or suffered to work in or in connection
with any factory in this State. No child between the ages of fourteen and sixteen
years shall be so employed, permitted or suffered to work unless an employment
certificate issued as provided in this artic[i]e shall have been theretofore filed in the
office of the employer at the place of employment of such child.
S ec . 71 (as amended by chapter 184, acts of 1903). Such certificate shall be issued
b y the commissioner of nealth or the executive officer of the board or department
of health of the city, town or village where such child resides, or is to be employed,
or b y such other officer thereof as may be designated, by such board, department or
commissioner for that purpose, upon the application of the parent or guardian or
custodian of the child desiring such employment. Such officer shall not issue such
certificate until he has received, examined, approved, and filed the following papers
duly executed: (1) The school record of such child properly filled out and signed as
provided in this article. (2) A passport or duly attested transcript of the certificate
of birth or baptism or other religious record, showing the date and place of birth of such
child. A duly attested transcript of the birth certificate filed according to law with a
registrar of vital statistics, or other officer charged with the duty of recording births
shall be conclusive evidence of the age of such child. (3) The affidavit of the parent
or guardian or custodian of the child, w hich shall be required, however, only in case
such last mentioned transcript of the certificate of birth be not produced and filed,
showing the place and date of birth of such child; which affidavit must be taken
before the officer issuing the employment certificate, who is hereby authorized
and required to administer such oath, and w ho shall not demand or receive a fee
therefor. Such employment certificate shall not be issued until such child farther has
personally appeared before and been examined by the officer issuing the certificate,
and until such officer shall, after making such examination, sign and file in his office
a statement that the child can read and legibly write simple sentences in the English
language and that in his opinion the child is fourteen years of age or upwards and
has reached the normal development of a child of its age, and is in sound health and
is physically able to perform the work which it intends to do. In doubtful cases such
physical fitness shall be determined by a medical officer of the board or department
8674— No. 52—04-----9
610
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
of health. Every such employment certificate shall be signed, in the presence of
the officer issuing the same, by the child in whose name it is issued.
Sec. 72 (as amended by chapter 184, acts of 1903). Such certificate shall state the
date and place of birth of the child, and describe the color of the hair and eyes, the
height and weight and any distinguishing facial marks of such child, and that, the
papers required by the preceding section have been duly examined, approved and
filed and that the child named in such certificate has appeared before the officer sign
ing the certificate and been examined.
Sec. 73 (as amended b y chapter 184, acts of 1903). The school record required by
this article shall be signed by the principal or chief executive officer of the school
which such child has attended and shall be furnished, on demand, to a child entitled
thereto or to the board, department or commissioner of health. It shall contain a
statement certifying that the child has regularly attended the public schools or
schools equivalent thereto or parochial schools for not less than one hundred and
thirty days during the school year previous to his arriving at the age of fourteen
years or during the year previous to applying for such school record and is able to
read and write simple sentences in the English language, and has received during
such period instruction in reading, spelling, writing, English grammar and geography
and is familiar with the fundamental operations of arithmetic up to and including
fractions. Such school record shall also give the age and residence of the child as
shown on the records of the school and the name of its parent or guardian or custodian.
Sec. 75. The board or department of health or health commissioner of a city, vil
lage or town, shall transmit, between the first and tenth day of each month, to the
office of the factory inspector a list of the names of the children to whom certificates
have been issued.
Sec. 76 (as amended by chapter 184, acts of 1903). Each person owning or operat
ing a factory and employing children therein shall keep, or cause to be kept in the
office of such factory, a register, in which shall be recorded the name, birthplace, age
and place of residence of all children so employed under the age of sixteen years.
Such register and the certificate filed in such office shall be produced for inspection,
upon the demand of the commissioner of labor. On termination of the employment
of a child so registered, and whose certificate is so filed, such certificate shall be forth
with surrendered by the employer to the child or its parent dr guardian or custodian.
Sec. 77 (as amended by chapter 184, acts of 1903). No minor under the age of sixteen
years shall be employed, permitted or suffered to work in any factory in this State
before six o ’ clock in the morning, or after nine o ’ clock in the evening of any day, or
for more than nine hours in any one day. No minor under the age of eighteen years,
and no female shall be employed, permitted or suffered to work in any factory in
this State before six o ’ clock in the morning, or after nine o ’ clock in the evening of
any day; or for more than ten hours in any one day except to make a shorter work
day on the last day of the week; or for more than sixty hours in any one week, or
more hours in any one week than will make an average of ten hours per day for the
whole number of days so worked. A printed notice, in a form which shall be pre
scribed and furnished b y the commissioner of labor, stating the number of hours per
day for each day of the week required of such persons, and the time when such work
shall bqgin and end, shall be kept posted in a conspicuous place in each room where
they are employed. But such persons may begin their work after the time for begin
ning and stop before the time for ending such work, mentioned in such notice, but
they shall not otherwise be employed, permitted or suffered to work in such factory
except as stated therein. The terms of such notice shall not be changed after the
beginning of labor on the first day of the week without the consent of the commis
sioner of labor. The presence of such persons at work in the factory at any other
hours than those stated in the printed notice shall constitute prima facie evidence of
a violation of this section of the law.
Sec. 78 (as amended by chapter 184, acts of 1903). W hen in order to'make a shorter
work day on the last day of the week, a minor over sixteen and under eighteen years
of age, or a female sixteen years of age or upwards, is to be required or permitted to
work in a factory more than ten hours in a day, the employer of such persons shall
notify the commissioner of labor in writing, of such intention, stating the number of
hours of labor per day, which it is proposed to require or permit, ana the time when
it is proposed to cease such requirement or permission; a similar notification shall be
made when such requirement or permission has actually ceased. A record of the
names of the employees thus required or permitted to work overtime, with the
amount of such overtime, and the days upon which such work was performed, shall
be kept in the office of such factory, and produced upon the demand of the commis
sioner of labor.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
611
CHILD LABOB IN THE UNITED STATES.
The word custodian as used in this act [sections 70 to 78, inclusive] shall include
any person, organization or society having the custody of said child.
S ec . 79.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
No child under the age of fifteen years shall be employed or permitted to have the
care, custody or management of or to operate an elevator in a factory, nor shall any
person under the age of eighteen years be employed or permitted to have the care,
custody or management oi or to operate an elevator therein, running at a speed of
over tw o hundred feet a minute.
S ec . 81. * * * No male person under eighteen years or woman under twenty-one
years of age shall be permitted or directed to clean machinery while in motion.
Children under sixteen years of age shall not be permitted to operate or assist in
operating dangerous machines of any kind.
S ec . 92 (as amended by chapter 561, acts of 1903). No male child under the age of
eighteen years * * * shall be employed in any factory in this State in operating
or using any emery, tripoli, rouge, corundum, stone, carborundum or any abrasive,
or emery polishing or buffing wheel, where articles of the baser metals or of iridium
are manufactured. The owner, agent or lessee of a factory who employs any sueh
person in the performance of such work is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon con
viction thereof shall be fined the sum of fifty dollars for each such violation. The
commissioner of labor, his assistants and deputies, shall enforce the provisions of
this section.
A ge limit— Hours o f labor— Night work— Lunch time— Em ploym ent in basements— Selling
newspapers.
(Page 2114.)
S ection 160. The provisions of this article shall apply to all villages and cities
w hich at the last preceding State enumeration had a population of three thousand or
more,
S ec . 161 (as amended by chapter 255, acts of 1903). No child under the age of six
teen years shall be employed, permitted or suffered to work in or in connection with
any mercantile establishment, business office, or telegraph office, restaurant, hotel,
apartment house, or in the distribution or transmission of merchandise or messages,
more than fifty-four hours in any one week, or more than nine hours in any one day,
or before seven o’ clock in the morning or after ten o ’ clock in the evening of any day.
No female employee .between sixteen and twenty-one years of age shall be required,
permitted or suffered to work in or in connection with" any mercantile establishment
more than sixty hours in any one week; or more than ten hours in any one day,
unless for the purpose of making a shorter work day of some one day of the week;
or before seven o ’ clock in the morning or after ten o’ clock in the evening of any
day. This section does not apply to the employment of persons sixteen years of age
or upwards on Saturday, provided the total number of hours of labor in a week of
any such person does not exceed sixty hours, nor to the employment of such persons
between the fifteenth day of December and the following first day of January. Not
less than forty-five minutes shall be allowed for the noon day meal of the employees
of any such establishment.
S ec . 162 (as amended by chapter 255, acts of 1903). No child under the age of four
teen years shall be employed, permitted or suffered to work in or in connection with
any mercantile or other establishment specified in the preceding section, except that
a child upwards of twelve \ears of age may be employed therein in villages ana cities
of the third class, during the summer vacation of the public schools* of the city or
district where such establishment is situated. No child under the age of sixteen
years shall be employed in any such establishment, unless an employment certificate
issued as provided in this article, shall have been theretofore filed in the office of
the employer at the place of employment of such child.
[Sections 163 to 165, inclusive, are identical with sections 71 to 73, pages 609,610 supra.]
Sec. 166 (as amended by chapter 255, acts of 1903). Children of the age of twelve
years or more who can read and write simple sentences in the English language, may
be employed, in mercantile and other establishments specified in section one hun
dred and sixty-one, in villages and cities of the third class during the summer vaca
tion of the public schools in the city or school district where such children reside
upon obtaining the vacation certificate herein provided. Such certificate shall be
issued in the same manner, upon the same conditions, and on like proof that such
child is twelve years of age or upwards, and in sound health, as is required for the
6 1 2
BULLETIH OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
issuance of an employment certificate under this article, except that a school record
of such child shall not be required. The certificates provided for in this section shall
be designated summer vacation certificates, and shall correspond in form and sub
stance as nearly as practicable to such employment certificate, and shall in addition
thereto specify the time in which the same shall remain in force and effect which in
no case shall be other than the time in which the public schools where such children
reside are closed for a summer vacation.
Sec. 167 (as amended by chapter 255, acts of 1903). The owner, manager or agent
of a mercantile or other establishment specified in section one hundred and sixtyone, employing children, shall keep or cause to be kept, in the office of such estab
lishment, a register, in which shall be recorded the name, birthplace, age and place
o f residence o f all children so employed under the age of sixteen years. Such reg
ister and the certificates filed in such office shall be produced for inspection, upon
the demand of an officer of the board, department or commissioner of health of the
town, village or city where such establishment is situated. On termination of the
employment of the child so registered and whose certificate is so filed, such certifi
cate shall be forthwith surrendered by the employer to the child or its parent or
guardian or custodian.
Sec. 171. * * * children shall not be employed or directed to work in the
basement of a mercantile establishment, unless permitted by the board or department
of health, or health commissioner of the town, village or city where such mercantile
establishment is situated. Such permission shall be granted unless it appears that
such basement is not sufficiently lighted and ventilated, and it is not in good sanitary
condition.
Sec. 172 (as amended b y chapter 255, acts of 1903). The board or department of
health or health commissioners of a town, village or city affected by this article shall
enforce the same and prosecute all violations thereof. Proceedings to prosecute such
violations must be begun within thirty days after the alleged offense was committed.
A ll officers and members of such boards, or department, all health commissioners,
inspectors, and other persons appointed or designated by such boards, departments
or commissioners may visit and inspect at reasonable hours and when practicable and
necessary, all mercantile or. other establishments herein specified within the town,
village or city for which they are appointed. No person shall interfere with or pre
vent any such officer from making such visitations and inspections, nor shall he be
obstructed or injured by force or otherwise while in the performance of his duties.
A ll persons connected with any such mercantile or other establishment herein speci
fied shall properly answer all questions asked by such officer or inspector in reference
to any of the provisions of this article.
Sec. 173 (as amended by chapter 255, acts of 1903). A copy of this article shall be
posted in three conspicuous places in each establishment affected by its provisions.
Sec. 174 (added by chapter 151, acts of 1903). No male child "under ten, and no
girl under sixteen years of age shall in any city of the first class sell or expose or offer
for sale newspapers in any street or public place.
Sec. 175 (added by chapter 151, acts of 1903). No male child actually or appar
ently under fourteen years of age shall sell or expose or offer for sale said articles
unless a permit and badge as hereinafter provided shall have been issued to him by
the district superintendent of the board of education of the city and school district
where said child resides, or by such other officer thereof as may be officially desig
nated by such board for that purpose, on the application of the parent, guardian or
other person having the custody of the child desiring such permit and badge, or in case
said child has no parent, guardian or custodian then on the application of his next
frien a, being an adult. Such permit and badge shall not be issued until the officer issu
ing the same shall have received, examined, approved and placed on file in his office
satisfactory proof that such male child is of the age of ten years or upwards. No per
mit or badge provided for herein shall be valid for any purpose except during the
period in which such proof shall remain on file, nor shall such permit or badge be
authority beyond the period fixed therein for its duration. After having received,
examined, approved and placed on file such proof the officer shall issue to the child
a permit and badge.
Sec. 176 (added by chapter 151, acts of 1903). Such permit shall state the date and
place of birth of the child, the name and address of its parent, guardian, custodian
or next friend as the case may be and describe the color of hair and eyes, the height
and weightand any distinguishing facial mark of such child, and shall further state that
the proof required by the preceding section has been duly examined, approved and
filed; and that the child named in such permit has appeared before the officer issu
ing the permit. The badge furnished by the officer issuing the permit shall bear on
its face a number corresponding to the number of the permit, and the name of the
CHILD LABOH IK THE UNITED STATES.
613
child. Every such permit, and every such badge on its reverse side, shall be signed
in the presence of the officer issuing the same by the child in whose name it is issued.
Sec. 177 (added by chapter 151, acts of 1903). The badge provided for herein shall
be worn conspicuously at all times by such child while so working; and such permit
and badge shall expire at the end of one year from the date of their issue. No child
to whom such permit and badge are issued shall transfer the same to any other per
son nor be engaged in any city of the first class as a newsboy, or shall sell or expose or
offer for sale newspapers in any street or public place without having upon his person
such badge, and he shall exhibit the same upon demand at any time to any police,
or attendance officer.
Sec. 178 (added by chapter 151, acts of 1903). The parent, guardian, custodian or
next friend, as the case may be, of every child to whom such permit and badge shall
be issued shall surrender the same to the authority b y which said permit and badge
are issued at the expiration of the period provided therefor.
Sec. 179 (added by chapter 151, acts of 1903). No child to whom a permit and
badge are issued as provided for in the preceding sections shall sell or expose or
offer for sale any newspapers after ten o ’ clock in the evening.
Sec. 179a (added by chapter 151, acts of 1903). Any child who shall work in any
city of the first class in any street or public place as a newsboy or shall sell or expose
or offer for sale newspapers under circumstances forbidden b y the provisions of this
article, must be arrested and brought before a court or magistrate having jurisdiction
to commit a child to an incorporated charitable reformatory or other institution and
be dealt with according to law; and if any such child is committed to an institution,
it shall when practicable, be committed to an institution governed by persons of the
same religious faith as the parents of such child.
2. Nothing in this act contained shall be deemed or construed to repeal, amend,
modify, impair or in any manner affect any provision of the Penal Code or the Code
of Criminal Procedure.
Sec. 209 (as amended by chapter 380, acts of 1903). Any person who violates or
does not com ply with:
1. The provisions of article six [sections 70 to 92] of the labor law, relating to fac
tories;
4. The provisions of article eleven [sections 160 to 173] of the labor law, relating
to mercantile establishments, and the employment of women and children therein;
5. And any person who knowingly makes a false statement in or in relation to
any application made for an employment certificate as to any matter required by
article six and eleven of the labor law to appear in any affidavit, record, transcript
or certificate therein provided for, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction
shall be punished for a first offense by a fine of not less than twenty nor more than
one hundred dollars; for a second offense by a fine of not less than fifty nor more
than two hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days or by
both such fine and imprisonment; for a third offense by a fine of not less than two
hundred and fifty dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than sixty days, or by
both such fine and imprisonment.
NORTH CAROLINA.
ACTS OF 1891.
Chapter 45.— Enticing minors.
Section 1 . A ny person who shall employ and carry beyond the limits of this
State any minor, or who shall induce any minor to go beyond the limits of this State
for the purposes of employment without the consent in writing, duly authenticated,
of the parent, guardian or other person having authority over such minor shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be fined not less than five
hundred and not more than one thousand dollars for each offense.
Sec. 2. The fact of the employment and going out of the State of the minor, or
of the going out of the State by the minor, at the solicitation of the person for the
purpose of employment, shall be prima facie evidence of knowledge that the person
employed or solicited to go beyond the limits of the State is a minor.
ACTS OF 1893.
C hapter 309.— Contract o f employment with intent to defraud.
Section 1. Whenever any person having a contract with any corporation, company
or person for the manufacture or change of any raw material b y the piece or pound
614
BULLETIN OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
shall hire and employ any minor to assist in said work upon the faith of and by
color of said contract and with intent to cheat and defraud said minor, and shall
secure the contract price and shall willfully fail to pay said minor when he shall
have performed his part of said contract work, whether done by the day or by the
job, the person so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon convic
tion shall be fined not more than fifty dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty
days.
ACTS OF 1897.
C h a p t e r 251.— Employment in mines.
S ection 7. * * * N o boy under twelve years of age shall be allowed to work in
any mine, and in all cases of minors applying for work, the agent of such mine shall
see that the provisions of this section are not violated; and the inspector may, when
doubt exists as to the age of any minors found working in any mine, qualify and
examine the said minor, or his parents as to his age. * * *
Sec. 8. The provisions of this act shall not apply or affect any mine in which not
more than ten men are employed at the same time; * * * whosoever knowingly
violates any of the provisions of this act * * * , shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction fined not less than fifty dollars or imprisoned in the county jail
not more than thirty days or both.
ACTS OF 1903.
C h a p t e r 473.— A ge limit— H ours o f labor.
S ection 1. No child under twelve years of age shall be employed or work in any
factory or manufacturing establishment within this State: Provided , This act shall not
apply to oyster canning and packing manufactories in this State, where said canning
and packing manufactories pay for opening or shucking oysters by the gallon or
bushel.
S ec . 2. Not exceeding sixty-six hours shall constitute a week’ s work in all facto
ries and manufacturing establishments of this State, and no p e rs o n u n d e r 18 y ea rs of
age shall be required to work in such factories or establishments a longer period than
sixty-sik hours in one week: Provided, That this section shall not apply to engineers,
firemen, machinists, superintendents, overseers, section and yard hands, office men,
watchmen or repairers of break downs.
S ec . 3. A ll parents, or persons standing in relation of parent, upon hiring their
children to any factory or manufacturing establishment, shall furnish such establish
ment a written statement of the age of such child or children being so hired, and any
such parent, or person standing in the relation of parent to such child or children,
who shall in such written statement misstate the age of such child or children being
so employed, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be pun
ished at the discretion of the court. A ny mill owner, superintendent or other person
acting in behalf of a factory or manufacturing establishment who shall knowingly or
willfully violate the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon
conviction shall be punished at the discretion of the court.
NORTH DAKOTA.
CONSTITUTION.
A r t ic l e 17.— A ge limit.
S ection 209.— The labor of children undes twelve years of age shall be prohibited
in mines, factories and workshops in this State.
REVISED CODES OF 1899.
P o l it ic a l C o d e .
C h a p t e r 9.— A ge limit— School attendance.
S ectio n 762. No child between eight and fourteen years of age shall be employed
in any mine, factory or workshop or mercantile establishment, or, except by his
parents or guardian, in any other manner, during the hours when the public schools
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
615
in the city, village or district are in session, unless the person employing him shall
first procure a certificate from the superintendent of schools of the city or village, if
one is employed, otherwise from the clerk of the school board or board of education,
stating that such child has attended school for the period of twelve weeks during
the year, as required by law, or has been excused from attendance as provided
in section 759; and it shall be the duty of such superintendent or clerk to furnish
such certificate upon application of the parent, guardian or other persons having con
trol of such child, entitled to the same.
S ec . 763. Each owner, superintendent or overseer of any mine, factory, workshop
or mercantile establishment, and any other person who shall employ any child
between eight and fourteen years of age contrary to the provisions of this article, is
guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined for each offense
in a sum not less than twenty nor more than fifty dollars and costs. Each person
authorized to sign a certificate as prescribed in the preceding section, who certifies to
any materially false statement therein, shall be fined not less than twenty nor more
than fifty dollars and costs.
Civil Code.
Chapter 7.— Earnings o f minors.
Section 2793. The wages of a minor employed in service may be paid to him or
her until the parent or guardian entitled thereto gives the employer notice that he
claims such wages.
P e n a l Code.
C h a p t e r 71.— H ours o f labor.
S ectio n 7666. Every owner, stockholder, overseer, employer, clerk or foreman, of
any manufactory, workshop or other place used for mechanical or manufacturing
purposes, who, having control, shall compel * * * any child under eighteen
years of age, or permit any child under fourteen years of age, to labor in any day
exceeding ten hours, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction,
shall be punished b y fine not exceeding one hundred and not less than ten dollars.
OHIO.
BATES’ ANNOTATED STATUTES—TH IR D EDITION.
P art I.—P olitical.
Employment in mines.
Section 302. No child unaer fifteen years of age shall be allowed to work in any
mine, during the school term of the puolic schools in the district in wThich such minor
resides, and no child under fourteen years of age shall be employed in any mine
during the vacation interim of the public schools in the school district in which such
minor resides, and in all cases of minors applying for work the agent of such mine
shall see that the provisions of this section are not violated; he shall also keep a
record of all minors employed by him, or by any person employed in said mines,
giving the name, age, place of birth, parents’ name and residence, with character of
employment, and he shall demand from such minor proof that he has complied with
the requirements of the school laws; and it shall be the duty of the mine inspector to
inspect such record and to report to the chief inspector of mines the number of
minors employed in or about such mines and to enforce the provisions of this
section.
Sec. 303. In case any coal mine does not, in appliances for the safety of the per
sons working therein, conform to the provisions of this chapter, or the owner or
agent disregards the requirements of this chapter, any court of competent jurisdic
tion may, on application of the inspector, by civil action, in the name of the State,
enjoin or restrain the owner or agent from working or operating such mine, until it
is made to conform to the provisions of this chapter; and such remedy shall be
cumulative, and shall not take the place of or affect any other proceedings against
such owner or agent authorized by law for the matter complained of in such action.
616
BULLETIN OP THE BUEEAU OP LABOR.
Employment in elevators.
S ectio n 2575-91. No person under twenty-one years of age shall be employed in
running or operating any electric, steam or hydraulic passenger or freight elevators,
and it shall be unlawful for any firm, company or person in the State of Ohio, own
ing, operating or having in charge any such passenger or freight elevator or elevators
to employ a person under twenty-one years of age to run or operate any such ele
vator.
Sec. 2575-92. Any person, firm or corporation, or any agent, trustee, director,
officer or employee oi any person, firm or corporation, who shall employ any per
son contrary to the provisions of the foregoing section, or who shall violate any of
its provisions, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined in any sum not less than
twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars, or imprisonment not less than thirty
nor more than sixty days.
P a r t II.— C i v i l .
Employment during school term — Illiterates.
S ection 4022-1 (as amended by act, page 615, acts of 1902). A ll parents, guardians
and other persons who have care of children, shall instruct them, or cause them to
be instructed in reading, spelling, writing, English grammar, geography and arith
metic. Every parent, guardian or other person having charge of any child between
the ages of eight and fourteen years shall send such child to a public, private or
parochial school, for the full time that the school attended is in session, which shall
m no case be for less than twenty-four weeks, and said attendance shall begin within
the first week of the school term, unless the child is excused from such attendance
b y the superintendent of the public schools, in city or other districts having such
superintendent, or b y the clerk of the board of education in village, special and
township districts not having such superintendent, or by the principal of the private
or parochial school, upon satisfactory showing, either that the bodily or mental con
dition of the child does not permit of its attendance at school, or that the child is
being instructed at home by a person qualified, * * * to teach the branches
named in this section. * * *
S ec . 4022-2 (as amended by act, page 615, acts of 1902). No child under fourteen
years of age shall be employed or be in the employment of any person, company or
corporation, during the school term and while the public schools are in session,
unless such child shall present to such person, company or corporation an age and
schooling certificate herein provided for. An age and schooling certificate shall be
approved only by the superintendent of schools, or by a person authorized by him,
in city or other districts having such superintendent, or by the clerk of the board of
education in village, special and township districts not having such superintendent
upon a satisfactory proof of the age of such minor and that he has successfully com
pleted the studies enumerated in section 4022-1 of the Revised Statutes of Ohio; or
if between the ages of fourteen and sixteen years, a knowledge of his or her ability
to read and write legibly the English language. * * * Every person, company
or corporation employing any child under sixteen years of age, shall exact the age
and schooling certificate prescribed in this section, as a condition of employment and
shall keep the same on file, and shall upon request of the truant officer hereinafter
provided for, permit him to examine such age and schooling certificate. A ny per
son, company or corporation, employing any minor contrary to the provisions of
this section shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than fifty dollars.
S ec . 4022-3 (as amended by act, page 615, acts of 1902). A ll minors over the age
of fourteen and under the age of sixteen years, w ho can not read and write the Eng
lish language shall be required to attend school as provided in section 4022-1 of the
Revised Statutes of Ohio and all the provisions of said section shall apply to said
minors: Provided , That such attendance shall not be required of such minors after they
have secured a certificate from the superintendent of schools, in districts having
superintendents or the clerk of the board of education in districts not having super
intendents, that they can read and write the English language. No person, company
or corporation shall employ any such minor during the time schools are in session,
or having such minor in their employ shall immediately cease such employment,
upon notice from the truant officer w ho is hereinafter provided for. Every person,
company or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not less
than twenty-five nor more than fifty dollars.
S ec . 4022-9 (as amended by act, page 615, acts of 1902). W hen any truant officer
is satisfied that any child, compelled to attend school by the provisions of this act,
is unable to attend school because absolutely required to work, at home or elsewhere,
m order to support itself or help support or care for others legally entitled to its
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
61?
services, who are unable to support or care for themselves, the truant officer shall
report the case to the authorities charged with the relief of the poor, and it shall be
the duty of said officers to afford such relief as w ill enable the child to attend school
the time each year required under this act. Such child shall not be considered or
declared a pauper by reason of the acceptance of the relief herein provided for. * * *
In all cases where relief is necessary it shall be the duty of the board of education to
furnish text books free of charge and said board may furnish any further relief it
may deem necessary, the expenses incident to furnishing said books and relief to be
paid from the contingent funds of the school district.
Retaining wages— Written contracts.
S ection 4364-65. It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation
doing business in the State of Ohio, to retain or withhold from an employee, male
or female, who is a minor, the wages or compensation, or any part thereof, agreed
to be paid to such employee, and due to the same for work performed or services
rendered, because of presumed negligence or failure to comply with rules, or for
breakage of machinery, or for alleged incompetency to produce work or to perform
labor in accordance with any standard of merit set up; nor shall any firm, corpora
tion, or individual as aforesaid, receive any guarantee, bonus, or money deposit, or
any other form of security, in order to obtain or to secure for any such minor employ
ment, or to insure faithful performance of labor, or to guarantee strict observance
of rules, or to make good any losses which may be ascribed or charged to the incom
petence, negligence, or inability of such minor employee.
Sec. 4364-66 (as amended by act, page 598, acts of 1902). No person, company
or corporation, as aforesaid, shall give employment to any minor, without agreeing
with said minor what wages or compensation he or she shall be entitled to receive
per day, week, month or year or per piece for work performed; and written evidence
of such agreement shall be furnished to such minor, and on or before each pay day a
statement of earnings due, and the amount thereof to be paid to him or her on such
pay day shall be given to such minor, and no subsequent change shall be made in
the wages or compensation of such minor without notice of the same being given to
him or her at least twenty-four hours previous to its going into effect, and when such
change is effected written agreement shall be given as in the first instance to said
minor employee.
S ec. 4364-67. A ny person, or officer, or agent of any company or corporation, who
shall violate any of the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misde
meanor, and upon conviction thereof in any court of competent jurisdiction, be fined
in any sum not exceeding two hundred dollars, or imprisonment in the county jail
for a period not exceeding six months, or both, at the discretion of the court; and it
is hereby declared to be the duty of the State inspector of workshops and factories to
see that the provisions of this act shall be enforced.
P a r t IV . — P e n a l .
Certain employments forbidden.
S ect io n 6984. W hoever takes, receives, hires, employs, uses, exhibits, or in any
manner, or under any pretense, sells, apprentices, gives away, lets out, or otherwise
disposes of, to any person, any child under the age of fourteen years, for or in the
vocation, occupation, service, or purpose of singing, playing on musical instruments,
rope or wire walking, dancing, begging, or peddling, or as a gymnast, contortionist,
rider, or acrobat, or for or in any obscene, indecent, or immoral purpose, exhibi
tion, or practice, or for or in any business, exhibition, or vocation injurious to the
health or dangerous to the life or limbs of such child, or causes, or procures, or
encourages any such child to engage therein, or causes or permits any such child to
suffer, or inflicts upon it, unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or willfully
causes or permits the life of any such child to be endangered, or its health to be
injured, or such child to be placed in such situation that its life may be endangered,
or its health injured, or has in custody any such child for any of the purposes afore
said, shall be fined not more than two nundred dollars, or imprisoned not more
than six months, or both.
Sec. 6986-1. No child under the age of sixteen years shall be employed b y any
person, firm, or corporation in this State, at employment whereby its life or limb is
endangered, or its health is likely to be injured, or its morals may be depraved by
such employment.
Sec. 6986-2. Any person, firm, or corporation in this State who willfully causes or
permits the life or lim b of any child under the age of sixteen years to be endangered,
618
BULLETIN OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
or its health to be injured, or its morals to become depraved, from and while actually
in their employ, or who willfully permits such child to be placed in such a position
or to engage in such employment that its life or lim b is in danger, or its health likely
to be injured, or its morals likely to be impaired by such position or employment,
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined
in any sum not less than ten ($10) dollars nor more than fifty ($50) dollars, or
imprisonment not less than thirty nor more than ninety days for each and every
offense.
S ec . 6986-3. It shall be the duty of the state inspector of workshops and factories
to enforce the provisions of this act.
A ge limit— Night work— H ours o f labor— Time fo r meals.
S ection 6986-7 (as amended by act, page 598, acts of 1902). No child under the
age of fourteen years shall be employed in any factory, workshop, mercantile or
other establishment, directly or indirectly at any time; and no such child under
said age shall be employed in any other manner, whether it be for compensation or
otherwise, when the public schools in which district such child resides are in ses
sion. It shall be the duty of every person employing minors under the age of eight
een years to keep a register in which shall be recorded the name, birthplace, age
and place of residence of every minor employed by him under the age of eighteen
years.
S ec . 6986-8 (as amended by act, page 598, acts of 1902). No boy under sixteen
years of age and no girl under eighteen years of age, shall fee employed at any work
at night time later than seven o ’ clock in the evening nor earlier than six o ’ clock in
the morning, and no minor under eighteen years of age shall be employed in any of
the places named in section 6986-7 o f the Revised Statutes of Ohio for a longer period
than ten hours in one day, nor more than fifty-five hours in one week; and every
such minor under eighteen years of age shall be entitled to no less than thirty min
utes for mealtime at noon, but such mealtime shall not be included as part of the
work hours of the day; and every employer shall post in a conspicuous place in
every room where such minors are employed a printed notice stating the maximum
number of work hours required in one week, and in each day of the week from such
minors, such printed notice to be furnished by the chief inspector of workshops and
factories, and approved by the attorney general.
S ec . 6986-9. Any person or corporation who shall em ploy any minor contrary to
the provisions of this act, or who shall violate any of tne provisions thereof, shall
upon conviction be fined in any sum not less than twenty dollars nor more than fifty
dollars, or imprisoned not less than ten nor more than thirty days.
OKLAHOMA.
STATUTES OF 1893.
C h a p t e r 25.— H ours o f labor.
P a r a g r a p h 2550. Every owner, stockholder, overseer, employer, clerk or foreman,
of any manufactory, workshop, or other place used for mechanical or manufacturing
purposes, who, having control, shall compel * * * any child under eighteen
years of age, or permit any child under fourteen years of age, to labor in any day
exceeding ten hours, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction,
shall be punished by fine not exceeding one hundred and not less than ten dollars.
C h a p t e r 59.— Earnings o f minors.
P a r a g r a p h 3562. The wages of a minor employed in service may be paid to him
or her until the parent or guardian entitled thereto gives the employer notice that he
claims such wages.
OREGON.
ACTS OF 1903.
Age limit— Em ploym ent during school hours— Night work— Lunch time— Illiterates.
(Page 79.)
S ection 1. No child, under fourteen years of age, shall be employed in any fac
tory, store, workshop, in or about any mine, or in the telegraph, telephone, or public
messenger service.
CHILD LABOR IK THE UNITED STATES.
619
S ec * 2i No child, under the age of fourteen years, shall be employed in any work,
or form, for wages or other compensation to whomsoever payable, during the hours
when the public schools of the town, district* or city in which he or she resides are
in session.
S ec . 4. No child, under sixteen years of age, shall be employed at any work before
the hour of 6 in the morning, or after the hour of 7 at night, nor employed for longer
than ten hours for any one day, nor more than six days in any one week; and every
such child, under sixteen years of age, shall be entitled to not less than thirty min
utes for mealtime at noon, but such mealtime shall not be included as part of the
work hours of the day; and every employer shall post, in a conspicuous place where
such minors are employed, a printed notice stating the maximum work hours required
in one week, and in every day of the week, from such minors.
S ec . 5. N o person shall employ any minor under sixteen years of age, and no par
ent, guardian, or custodian shall permit to be employed any such minor under his
control, who can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English
language, while a school is maintained in the town or city in which such minor
resides.
S ec . 6. It shall be the duty of every person, or corporation, employing a child
under the age of sixteen years, to keep a register, in which shall be recorded the
name, age, date of birth, and place of residence of every child under the age of six
teen years employed; and it shall be unlawful for any person, or corporation, to
employ any child under the age of sixteen years, unless there is first provided and
placed on file in the factory, store, workshop, or mine, or in the telegraph, tele
phone, or messenger office, in which such child is employed, an affidavit made by
the parents, or guardian, stating the name, date, and place of birth, and place of the
school attended by such child. The register and affidavit herein provided for shall,
on demand, be produced and shown for inspection to the persons hereinafter pro
vided for in this act, w ho are created a board for the enforcement of the laws of this
State. The persons hereinafter provided for in this act, who are created the board
of inspection of child labor, shall have the power to demand a certificate of physical
fitness from some regularly licensed physician, in the case of a child under sixteen
years of age, who may seem physically unable to perform the labor at which such
child may be employed, and no child, under sixteen, shall be employed who can
not obtain such a certificate.
Sec. 7. Any person, or corporation, who shall employ a minor contrary to the
provisions of this act, or who shall violate any of the provisions thereof, shall, upon
conviction, be fined in a sum not less than $10 nor more than $25 for the first offense,
nor less than $25 nor more than $50 for the second offense, and be imprisoned for
not less than ten and no more than thirty days for the third and each succeeding
offense.
Sec. 8. A ny parent or guardian who shall permit a child to be employed in viola
tion of the provisions of this act shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than $5
nor more than $25.
S ec . 9. It is hereby made the duty of the governor, immediately upon the passage
of this law, to appoint five persons, three at least of whom shall be women, who
shall constitute the board of inspectors of child labor of the State of Oregon, and shall
serve without compensation. The term for which such inspectors shall serve is
hereby made one, two, three, four, and five years, respectively; and immediately
after the appointment of such board of inspectors by the governor, they shall draw
lots among themselves to determine how long each inspector shall serve; the one
receiving the long term shall serve the period of five years; the one receiving the
second term shall serve four years; the one receiving the third term shall serve three
years; the one receiving the fourth term shall serve two years, and the one receiv
ing the short term shall serve one year.
P E N N SYLV AN IA .
B R IG H T L Y ’ S PURDON’ S DIGEST, TW E LFTH EDITION— 1895.
Certain employments forbidden— Em ploym ent on elevators— Em ploym ent in mines.
(Page 1015.)
S ectio n 9. A ny person having the care, custody or control, lawful or unlawful, for
[of] any minor child under the age of eighteen years, who shall use such minor
or apprentice, give away, let out, hire or otherwise dispose of such minor, to any
person, for the purpose o f singing, playing on musical instruments, begging, or
620
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
for any mendicant business whatsoever, in the streets, roads or other highways
of this Commonwealth, and wThosoever shall take, receive, hire, employ, use or
ha^e in custody, any such minor, for the vocation, occupation, calling, service or
)se of singing, playing upon musical instruments or begging, upon the street,
, or other highways of the Commonwealth, or for any mendicant business what
ever, shall be guilty oi a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof in the manner
provided in the first section of this act, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor
more than one hundred dollars.
Sec. 10. A ny person having the care, custody or control of any minor child under
the age of fifteen years, who shall in any manner sell, apprentice, give away or permit
such child to sing, dance, act, or in any manner exhibit, in any dance house what
ever, or in any concert saloon, theatre or place of entertainment, where wines or
spirituous or malt liquors are sold or given away, or with which any place for the
sale of wines or spirituous or malt liquors is directly or indirectly connected, by any
passageway or entrance, and any proprietor of any dance house whatever, or any
such concert saloon, theatre or place of entertainment, so employing any such child,
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof in the manner pro
vided in the first section of this act, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor
more than one hundred dollars for each offense.
Sec. 11. A ny person having the care, custody or control of any minor child under
the age of fifteen years, who shall in any manner sell, apprentice, give away or other
wise dispose of such child, and any person who shall take, receive or employ such
child for the vocation or occupation of rope or wire walking, or as an acrobat,
gymnast, contortionist or rider, and any person who, having the care, custody or
control of any minor child whatsoever, shall sell, apprentice, give away or otherwise
dispose of such child, or who shall take, receive or employ such child, for any
obscene, indecent or illegal exhibition or vocation, or any vocation injurious to the
health or dangerous to the life or limb of such child engaged therein, or for the pur
pose of prostitution, and any person who shall retain, harbor or employ any minor
child in or about any assignation house or brothel, or in any place where any obscene,
indecent or illegal exhibition takes place, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon
conviction thereof before any justice of the peace, magistrate or court of record, snail
be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars for each offense.
S ec . 12. No person, firm or corporation shall employ or permit any minor under
the age of fourteen years to have the care, custody, management or operation of any
elevator. A ny person, firm or corporation, employing any minor under the age of
fourteen years to operate, manage or otherwise have the care or custody of an ele
vator, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be sen
tenced to pay a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred
dollars.
Sec. 13. Any person who shall take, receive, hire or employ any child under
twelve years of age, in any underground work or mine, or like place whatsoever, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof in the manner provided in
the first section of this act, shall be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than
fifty dollars.
Sec. 14. No boy under the age of fourteen (14) years, and no woman or girl of
any age, shall be employed or permitted to be in any mine for the purpose of employ
ment therein. Nor shall a boy under the age of twelve years or a woman or girl of
any age, be employed or permitted to be in or about the outside structures or work
ings of a colliery for the purpose of employment, but it is provided, however, that
this prohibition shall not affect the employment of a boy or female of suitable age
in an office or in the performance of clerical work at a colliery.
Sec. 15. W hen an employer is in doubt as to the age of any boy or youth apply
ing for employment in or about a mine or colliery, he shall demand and receive
proof of the said lawful employment age of such boy or youth, by certificate from
the parent or guardian, before said boy or youth shall be employed.
Sec. 16. If any person or persons contravene or fail to com ply with the provisions
of this act in respect to the employment of boys, young male persons or females, or
if he or they shall connive with or permit others to contravene or fail to comply
with said provisions, or if a parent or guardian of a boy or young male person make
or give a false certificate of the age of such boy or young male person, or knowingly
do or perform any other act for the purpose of securing employment for a boy or
young male person under the lawful employment age and in contravention of the
provisions of this act, he or they shall be guilty of an offense against this act.
Sec. 17. N o boy under the age of twelve years, or any woman or girl of any age
shall be employed or permitted to be in the workings of any bituminous coal mine
for purpose of employment or for any other purpose; and no boy under the age of
S
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
6 21
sixteen shall be permitted to mine or load coal in any room, entry or other working
place, unless in company with a person over sixteen years of age. If the mine
inspector or mine foreman has reason to doubt the fact of any particular boy being
as old as this act requires for the service which said boy is performing at any mine,
it shall be the duty of said mine inspector or mine foreman to report the fact to the
superintendent, giving the name of said boy, and the said superintendent shall at
once discharge the said boy.
S ec . 86. A sober and competent person, not under eighteen (18) years of age, shall
be engaged to run the breaker engine, and he shall attend to said engine wnile the
machinery is in motion.
S ec . 88. No person under fifteen (15) years of age shall be appointed to oil the
machinery, and no person shall oil dangerous parts of such machinery while it is in
motion.
S ec . 112 (as amended by act No. 268, acts of 1903). No boy under the age of sixteen
years, * * * or girl of any age, shall be employed or permitted to be in any mine
for the purpose of employment therein. Nor shall a boy under the age of fourteen
years, * * * or girl of any age, be employed of [or] permitted to be in or about
the outside structures or workings of a colliery for the purpose of employment; but
it is provided, however, that this prohibition shall not affect the employment of a
boy * * * , of suitable age, in an office or in the performance of clerical work
at a colliery.
S ec . 113. W hen an employer is in doubt as to the age of any boy or youth apply
ing for employment in or about a mine or colliery, he shall demand and receive
proof of the said lawful employment age of such boy or youth, by certificate from
the parent or guardian, before said boy or youth shall be employed.
Sec. 114. If any person or persons contravene or fail to comply with the provisions
of this act in respect to the employment of boys, young male persons * * * , or
if he or they shall connive with or permit others to contravene or fail to com ply with
said provisions, or if a parent or guardian of a boy or young male person make or
give a false certificate of the age of such bov or young male person, or knowingly do
or perform any other act for the purpose o f securing employment for a boy or young
male person under the lawful employment age and m contravention of the provisions
of this act, he or they shall be guilty of an offense against this act.
Sec. 155. An engineer placed in charge of an engine whereby persons are hoisted
or lowered in any mine shall be * * * of not less than twenty-one (21) years
of age.
S ec . 212. All offenses under this act are declared to be misdemeanors, and in default
of payment of any penalty or cost by the party or parties sentenced to pay the same,
he or they may be imprisoned for a period not exceeding three (3) months and not
less than thirty (30) days.
B R IG H T L Y ’ S DIGEST— 1893-1903.
Employment in bakeries.
(Page 62.)
S ection 1.
*
*
*
N o person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall be
employed in any bakehouse between the hours of nine (9) o’clock at night and five
(5) in the morning. Excepted from this rule shall be the time on Sunday for set
ting the sponges for the night’ s work following.
S ec . 13. No minor male or female * *
* shall be employed at labor or
detained in any biscuit, bread, pie or cake bakery, pretzel or macaroni establishment,
for a longer period than twelve h jurs in any one day, nor for a longer period than
sixty hours in any one week.
S ec . 23. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this act, * * * shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction before any justice of the peace,
magistrate, alderman, mayor or burgess, shall be punished by a fine of not less than
twenty nor more than fifty ($50) dollars, for a first offense; and not less than fifty
($50) nor more than one hundred ($100) dollars, for a second offense, or imprison
ment for not more than ten (10) days; and for a third offense, by a fine of not less
than two hundred and fifty (250) dollars and more than thirty (30) days imprisonment.
Names o f children employed.
(Page 143.)
S ection 128.
* * * Any person employing a child or children shall furnish,
pn or before the third Monday of the school term and quarterly thereafter, to the
622
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
superintendent of schools, to the secretary of the board of school directors or con
trollers of the district in which such child or children reside, the names, age, place
of residence, and name of parent or guardian of every person under the age of six
teen years in his employ at the time of said report: * * *
Hours o f labor— Age limit— Illiterates.
(Page 254.)
S ection 1. No minor male or female
* * * shall be employed at labor or
detained in any manufacturing establishment, mercantile industry, laundry, work
shop, renovating works or printing office, for a longer period than twelve hours in
any day, nor for a longer period than sixty hours in any week.
Sec. 2. N o child under thirteen years of age shall be employed in any factory,
manufacturing or mercantile industry, laundry, workshop, renovating works, or
printing office within this State.
Sec. 3. It shall be unlawful for any factory, manufacturing or mercantile industry,
laundry, workshop, renovating works, or printing office to hire or employ any child
between the age of thirteen and sixteen years, without there is first provided and
placed on file an affidavit made by the parent or guardian stating the age, date and
place of birth of said child. If said child have no parent or guardian, then such
affidavit shall be made by the child, which affidavit shall be kept on file by the
employer, and shall be returned to the child when employment ceases.
Sec. 4. All persons authorized to administer oaths must examine all children as to
their ability to read and write the English language. After a careful examination,
if a child is found unable to read and write the English language, or has not attended
school as required by law, or is under thirteen years of age, it will be unlawful to
issue a certificate; ana in no case shall the officer who executes certificates charge
more than twenty-five cents for administering the oath and issuing the certificate.
S ec. 5. Every person, firm or corporation, employing men, women or children,
or either, in any factory, manufacturing or mercantile industry, laundry, workshop,
renovating works, or printing office, shall post and keep posted, in a conspicuous
place in every room where such help is employed, a printed notice, stating the num
ber of hours per day for each day of the week required of such persons; and, in every
room where children under sixteen years of age are employed, a list of their names
with their age.
Sec. 8. * * * no minor under sixteen years of age shall be allowed to clean
machinery while in motion. And no minor, under fourteen years of age, shall
operate or otherwise have the care or custody of an elevator.
Sec. 21. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this act, or who suffers
any child or female to be employed in violation of its provisions, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be punished by fine of not more
than five hundred dollars. In all such cases the hearing shall be conducted by the
alderman or justice of the peace before whom information is lodged, and, after full
hearing of parties in interest, the alderman or justice of the peace shall impose the
fine herein provided, which shall be final unless an appeal be taken to the court of
quarter sessions within twenty days from the date of the imposition of the fine, as
herein provided.
Sec. 84. [This section makes the same provision as to the employment of women
and children in bituminous mines as is found in sec. 112, supra, for anthracite
mines.]
Employment as steam engineers.
(Page 2535.)
Section 165. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to have charge of or
to operate a steam boiler or steam engine over ten horsepower, in cities of the first
class of this Commonwealth, except locomotive boilers used in transportation, and
steam engines and steam boilers carrying less than fifteen pounds pressure per square
inch, unless said person or persons are upwards of twenty-one years of age * * *
PORTO RICO.
REVISED STATUTES AND CODES— 1902.
R e vised S ta t u te s .
H ours o f labor— Inhumane treatment.
Section 166. No child of either sex, under sixteen years shall be compelled to
w ork in agricultural factories and manufacturing establishments over six hours per
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
623
day, three in the morning and three in the afternoon. All persons who shall violate
this provision shall be fined in a sum of from five to fifteen dollars, or imprisonment
not to exceed thirty days for each offense.
S ec . 167. No foreman, teacher or other person having under his charge the work,
care or education of a minor under sixteen years of age, shall resort to inhumane
treatment to compel such minor to work or to study. Any violation of the provi
sions hereof shall be punished with a fine of from five to fifteen dollars or imprison
ment not to exceed thirty days for each offense.
P en al C ode.
Certain employments forbidden.
S ection 265. A ny person, whether as parent, relative, guardian, employer or
otherwise, having in his care, custody, or control any child under the age of twelve
years, who shall sell, apprentice, give away, let out, or otherwise dispose of any such
child to a n y person, under any name, title, or pretense, for the vocation, use, occu
pation, calling, service of begging, or peddling, in any public street or highway, or in
any mendicant or wandering business whatsoever, and any person who shall take,
receive, hire, employ, use, or have in custody any child for such purposes, or either
of them, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
C iv il C o de.
Earnings o f minors.
S ection 225. Property acquired by an unemancipated child by labor or industry,
or for any valuable consideration, belongs to the said child, but the usufruct thereof
belongs to the parents having potestas over him whilst he lives in their company; but
if the child, with the consent of his parents, lives independently, he shall be deemed
emancipated for all effects as regards the said property, and he shall be the full owner
and have the usufruct and administration thereof.
RHODE ISLAND.
GENERAL LAW S OF 1896.
C h a p t e r 64.— Em ploym ent during school term.
S ection 4 (as amended by chapter 1009, enacted 1902). No minor child who has
not completed thirteen years of life shall be employed to labor or at service, or
engaged in business, except during the vacations of the public schools of the city or
town wherein such child resides, or as provided for by section one of this chapter.
S ec . 5 (as amended by chapter 1009, enacted 1902). No minor child who has not
completed fifteen years of life shall be employed to labor or at service unless he
shall present to his employer a certificate made by or under the direction of the
school committee of the city or town wherein such child resides; said certificate
shall be made on a blank and in a form furnished by the secretary of the State
board of education and shall state the name, place and date of birth of said child,
and the name and residence of the person having control of said child.
Sec. 6 (as amended by chapter 1009, enacted 1902). Every person, whether prin
cipal or agent, who shall employ or permit to be employed or shall aid or abet the
employment to labor or at service of anv minor child above described in section
four, who has not complied with the provisions above recited in section five, shall
for every such offense or neglect of such duty be fined not exceeding twenty dollars.
C h a p t e r 68. — Age limit— Cleaning machinery.
S ection 1. No child under twelve years of age shall be employed in any factory,
manufacturing or mercantile establishment, within this State. It shall be the duty
of every person, firm or corporation employing children, to keep a register in which
shall be recorded the name, birthplace, age and place of residence of every person
employed under the age of sixteen years; and said register shall be produced for
inspection oh demand by either of the inspectors appointed under this chapter.
Sec. 2. No person, firm or corporation employing less than five persons who are
women or children shall be deemed a factory, manufacturing or m e rc a n tile establish
ment within the meaning of this chapter.
624
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Sec. 6. N o minor under sixteen years of age shall be allowed to clean machinery
while in motion, unless the same is necessary and is approved by said inspectors as
not dangerous. * * *
Sec. 8. Water-closets, earth-closets or privies shall be provided in all places where
* * * children are employed, in such manner as shall, in the judgment of said
inspectors, meet the demands of health and propriety. * . * *
Sec. 12. A ny person who knowingly violates any of the provisions of this chapter,
or w ho knowingly suffers or permits any child * * * to be employed in viola
tion of its provisions, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction
shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.
Sec. 13. A printed copy of this chapter shall be posted by the inspectors in each
workroom of every factory, manufacturing or mercantile establishment where per
sons are employed who are affected by the provisions of this chapter.
C h a p t e r 108.— Employment on elevators.
S ection 16 (as amended by chapters 921, enacted 1901, and 973, enacted 1902).
* * * no person under the age of eighteen years shall take charge of or operate
any passenger elevator.
. The lessee or owner or owners of any building, or in case such lessee or owner, or
any of them, be non compos mentis or a minor, the guardian of any such lessee or
owner, or in case such lessee or owner, or any of them, be a nonresident, the agent
of any such lessee or owner having charge of such property, w ho shall neglect or
fail to comply with the provisions of this * * * section shall be fined not less
than five dollars nor more than ten dollars for each day that an elevator shall be
used or operated in said building contrary to the provisions of this * * * sec
tion. In case there shall be several such lessees or owners or agents in charge of
any building in which an elevator shall be used or operated contrary to the provi
sions of this * * * section, proceedings may be had against any or all of them
jointly, or against any of them, for the recovery of such fine.
C h a p t e r 115.— Certain employments forbidden.
S ect io n 4 (as amended by chapter 475, enacted 1897).
Every person having the cus
tody or control of any child under the age of sixteen years, who shall exhibit, use or
employ, or shall in any manner or under any pretense sell, apprentice or give away, let
out or otherwise dispose of any such child to any person for or in the vocation, occu
pation, service or purpose of rope or wire walking, or as a gymnast, wrestler, contor
tionist, equestrian performer, acrobat, or rider upon any bicycle or mechanical con
trivance, or in any dancing, theatrical or musical exhibition unless it be in connection
with churches, schools, or private instruction in dancing or music or unless it
be under the auspices of a Rhode Island society incorporated, or organized without
incorporation, for a purpose authorized b y section 11 of chapter 176 of the Gen
eral Laws, or unless it be with the written consent, previously obtained and
revocable at will, of the mayor of the city or the president of the town council
where such child is to be employed; or for or in gathering or picking rags, or
collecting cigar stumps, bones, or refuse from markets, or in begging, or in any men
dicant or wandering occupation, or in peddling in places injurious to the morals of
such child; * * * or in any illegal, obscene, indecent, or immoral purpose,
exhibition or practice whatsoever; or for or in any business, exhibition or vocation
injurious to the health or morals, or dangerous to the life or lim b of such child, or
who shall cause, procure or encourage any such child to engage therein, or who after
being notified by an officer mentioned in section 6 of this chapter to restrain such
child from engaging therein, shall neglect or refuse to do so, shall be held guilty of a
misdemeanor and shall, for every such offense, be imprisoned not exceeding one year
or be fined not exceeding two hundred [and] fifty dollars, or be both fined and
imprisoned as aforesaid, and shall forfeit any right which he may have to the custody
of such child.
Sec. 5 (as amended by chapter 475, enacted 1897). Every person w ho shall take,
receive, hire or employ, exhibit, or have in custody, or who shall cause to be taken,
hired or employed, exhibited, or held in custody, any child under the age of sixteen
years, for any of the purposes prohibited in the preceding section, shall be held
guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished for every such offense in the manner
provided in said section.
Sec. 6 (as amended by chapter 475, enacted 1897). The town seigeant of any town,
the chief of police of any city, or the general agent or agents of the R hode Island
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children may enter any place where any
CHILD LABOB IN THE UNITED STATES.
625
child may be held, detained or employed, in violation of this chapter, and without
process o f law, seize and detain such child and hold him as a witness to testify upon
the trial of any person charged with violating the provisions of this chapter; * * *
C h a p t e r 198.— Hours o f labor.
S ectio n 22 (as amended by chapter 994). No minor under sixteen years of age
* * * shall be employed in laboring in any manufacturing or mechanical estab
lishment more than fifty-eight hours in any one week; and in no case shall the hours
of labor exc ed ten hours in any one day, excepting when it is necessary to make
repairs to prevent the interruption of the ordinary running of the machinery, or
when a different apportionment of the hours of labor is made for the sole purpose of
making a shorter day’ s work for one day of the week.
Every employer snail post in a conspicuous place in every room where such per
sons are employed a printed notice stating the number of hours’ work required of
them on each day of the week; and the employment of any such person for a longer
time in any day than so stated shall be deemed a violation of this section, unless it
appears that such employment is to make up for time lost on some previous day of
the same week in consequence of the stopping of the machinery upon which such
person was employed or dependent for employment: Provided , That the provisions
of this section shall not be construed to enlarge or impair any restriction placed upon
the employment of any minor mentioned in chapter 64.
Sec. 23. Every person who willfully employs, or has in his employment or under
his charge any person, in violation of the provisions of the preceding section, and
every parent or guardian who permits any such minor to be so employed, shall be
fined not exceeding twenty dollars for each offense. A certificate of the age of a
minor, made by him or by his parent or guardian, at the time of his employment
in a manufacturing establishment, shall be conclusive evidence of his age upon
any trial of any person other than the parent or guardian for a violation of the
preceding section.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
CODE OF 1902.
Civ il C ode.
C h a p t e r 83.— Earnings o f minors.
S ectio n 2694. If any person shall hire or employ any minor, or person under the
age of twenty-one years, without the knowledge and consent of the parents or guard
ian of such minor, such person shall pay to the said parents or guardian the full
value of the labor of said minor from and after notice from the parents or guardian
that payment of such service shall be made to him or them, as the case may be.
ACTS OF 1903.
A ct N o. 74.— A ge limit— Night work.
S ectio n 1. From and after the first day of May, 1903, no child under the age of ten
years shall be employed in any factory, mine or textile manufacturing establishment
of this State; and from and after the first day of May, 1904, no child under the age
of eleven shall be employed in any factory, mine or textile establishment of this
State; from and after the first day of May, 1905, no child under the age of twelve
years shall be employed in any factory, mine or textile establishment of this State,
except as hereinafter provided.
Sec. 2. From and after May first, 1903, no child under the age of twelve years shall
be permitted to work between the hours of 8 o’ clock p. m. and 6 o’ clock in the
morning in any factory, mine or textile manufactory of this State: Provided , That
children under the age of twelve, whose employment is permissible, under the pro
visions of this act, may be permitted to work after the hour of 8 p. m. in order to
make up lost time, which has occurred from some temporary shut down of the mill,
on account of accident or breakdown in the machinery, which has caused loss of
time: Provided , however, That under no circumstances shall a child below the age of
twelve w ork later than the hour of 9 p. m.
Sec. 3. Children of a widowed mother and the children of a totally disabled father,
w ho are dependent upon their own labor for their support, and orphan children who
are dependent upon their own labor for their support, may be permitted to work in
8674—No. 52—04-----10
626
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
textile establishments of this State for the purposes of earning their support: Provided,
That in the case of a child or children of a widowed mother or of a totally disabled
father, the said mother or the said father, and in case of orphan children, the guard
ian of said children or person standing, in loco parentis of said child or children,
shall furnish to any of the persons named in section 4 of this act an affidavit duly
sworn to by him or her before some magistrate or clerk of court of the county in
which he or she resides, stating that he or she is unable to support the said children,
and that the said children are dependent upon their own labor for their support,
then, and in that case, the said child or children of the said widowed mother and
the said disabled father and said orphan children shall not be affected b y the prohi
bitions of section 1 of this act; and filing of said affidavit shall be full justification for
their employment: Provided, further, That the officer before w hom the said affidavit
shall be subscribed shall indorse upon the back thereof his approval and his consent
to the employment of said child or children. Any person w ho shall swear falsely to
the facts set forth in said acts shall be guilty of perjury and shall be indictable as
provided by law: Provided, further, That the employment of said child or children
shall be subject to the hours of labor herein limited.
Sec. 4. A ny owner, superintendent, manager or overseer of any factory, mine or
textile manmacturing establishment, or any other person in charge thereof or con
nected therewith, w ho shall knowingly employ any child contrary to the provisions
of this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and for every such offense shall, upon
conviction thereof, be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than fifty dollars, or
be imprisoned not longer than thirty days, at the discretion of the court.
Sec. 5. A ny parent, guardian or other person having under his or her control any
child, w ho consents, suffers or permits the employment of his or her child or ward
under the ages as above provided, or who knowingly or willfully misrepresents the
age o f such child or ward to any of the persons named in section 4 of this act, in
order to obtain employment for such child or ward, shall be deemed guilty of a mis
demeanor, and for every such offense shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not
less than ten dollars nor more than fifty dollars, or be imprisoned not longer than
thirty days, in the discretion of the court.
Sec. 6. A ny parent, guardian or person standing in loco parentis, w ho shall furnish
to the persons named in section 4 of this act a certificate that their child or ward has
attended school for not less than four months during the current school year, jand
that said child or children can read and write, may be permitted to obtain employ
ment for such child or children in any of the textile establishments of this State
during the months of June, July and August, and the employment of such child or
children during the said months upon the proper certificate that such child or chil
dren have attended school as aforesaid, shall not be in conflict with the provisions
of this act.
Sec. 7. In the employment of any child under the age of twelve years in any fac
tory, mine or textile manufacturing establishment, the owner or superintendent of
such factory, mine or textile manufacturing establishment shall require of the parent,
guardian or person standing in loco parentis of such child, an affidavit giving the age
of such child, which affidavit shall be placed on file in the office of the employer;
and any person knowingly furnishing a false statement of the age of such child shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and for- every such offense shall, upon conviction, be
fined not less than ten dollars nor more than fifty dollars, or be imprisoned not longer
than thirty days, in the discretion of the court.
SOUTH DAKOTA.
REVISED CODES OF 1903.
P olitical Code.
Employment in mines.
Section 145. A ll corporations or individuals working mines in South Dakota who
shall employ, or permit to be employed, in such mines any children under fourteen
years of age shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof
shall be punished b y a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.
Em ploym ent during session o f school.
Section 2361. No child between eight and fourteen years of age shall be employed
in any mine, factory or workshop or mercantile establishment, or, except b v his
parent or guardian, m any other manner during the hours when the public schools
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
627
in the city, town, village or district, are in session unless the person, firm or cor
poration employing him shall first procure a certificate from the superintendent of
the schools of the city, town or village, if one be employed, otherwise from the clerk
of the school board or board of education, stating that said child has attended school
for the period of twelve weeks during the year, as required b y law, or has been
excused from attendance as provided in section 2359; and it shall be the duty of such
superintendent or clerk to furnish such certificate upon application of the parent,
guardian or other person having control of such child, entitled to the same. Every
owner, superintendent or overseer of any mine, factory, workshop, or mercantile
establishment, and any other person who shall employ any child between eight and
fourteen years of age contrary to the provisions of this article, shall be deemed guilty
of a misdemeanor, and for every such offense shall upon conviction thereof, be fined
not less than ten dollars nor more than twenty dollars and costs.
C iv il C ode.
Earnings o f minors.
Section 124. The wages of a minor employed in service may be paid to him or to
her until the parent or guardian entitled thereto gives the employer notice that he
claims such wages.
P e n a l C ode.
Hours o f labor.
Section 764. Every owner, stockholder, overseer, employer, clerk or foreman of
any manufactory, workshop or other place used for mechanical or manufacturing
purposes, who, having control, shall compel * * * any child under eighteen
years of age, or permit any child under fourteen years of age, to labor in any day
exceeding ten hours, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction,
shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred and not less than ten dollars.
TENNESSEE.
ACTS OF 1893.
A ge limit.
S ection 1 (as amended by chapter 34, acts of 1901). It shall be unlawful for a pro
prietor, foreman, owner or other person to employ any child less than 14 years of
age in any workshop, factory or mine in this State; unless said proprietor, foreman
or owner shall know the age of the child, it shall be his or their duty to require the
parent or guardian to furnish a sworn statement of its age, and any swearing falsely
to such by the parent or guardian shall be perjury and punishable as such.
Sec. 2 (as amended by chapter 34, acts of 1901). A n y proprietor, foreman or
owner employing a child less than 14 years of age in conflict with the provisions of
this act, except where such proprietor, foreman or owner has been furnished with a
sworn statement of guardian or parent, that the child is more than 14 years of age,
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than
$25 and not more than $250.
Sec. 3 (as amended by chapter 34, acts of 1901). The grand jury shall have
inquisitorial powers to investigate violations of this act, and judges of the circuit
and criminal courts of the State shall specially charge the grand jury at the beginning
of each term of the court to investigate violations of this act.
TEXAS.
ACTS OF 1903.
C hapter 28.— Age limit— Illiterates— Night work— Employment in mines, distilleries, or
breweries.
Section 1. A n y person or any agent or employee of any person, firm or corpora
tion, w ho shall hereafter employ any child under the age of twelve years to labor in
or about any mill, factory, manufacturing establishment, or other establishment
using machinery, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
shall be fined not less than fifty dollars, and not more than two hubdred dollars, and
each day the provisions o f this act are violated shall constitute a separate offense,
628
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Sec. 2. A ny person, or any agent or employee of any person, firm or corporation,
who shall hereafter employ any child between the ages of twelve and fourteen years
(w ho can not read and write simple sentences in the English language) to labor in
or about any mill, factory, manufacturing establishment, or other establishment
using machinery, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
shall be fined not less than fifty dollars, nor more than two hundred dollars; and
each day the provisions of this act are violated shall constitute a separate offense:
Provided , That such child w ho has a widowed mother, or parent incapacitated to
support it, may be employed between the hours of 6 a. m. and 6 p. m .: Provided,
further, That such parent is incapacitated from earning a living, and has no means
of support other than the labor of such child; and in no event shall any child
between the ages of twelve and fourteen years be permitted to work outside the
hours between 6 a. m. and 6 p. m.
Sec. 3. Any person, or agent or employee of any person, firm or corporation, own
ing, operating or assisting in operating, any mine, distillery or brewery, who shall
employ any child under the age of sixteen years to labor in or about any mine, dis
tillery or brewery, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
shall be fined not less than fifty, nor more than two hundred dollars.
UTAH.
CONSTITUTION.
A rticle 16.— Employment in mines.
Section 3. The legislature shall prohibit:
(1) The employment of * * * children under the age of fourteen years, in
underground mines.
REVISED STATUTES— 1898.
T itle 36.— Employment in mines and smelters.
Section 1338. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to employ
any child under fourteen years of age, * * * to work in any mine or smelter in
the State of Utah. A n y person, firm, or corporation who shall violate any of the
provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
T itle 43.— Earnings o f minors.
Section 1544. W hen a contract for the personal services of a minor has been made
with him alone, and those services are afterward performed, payment made therefor
to such minor in accordance with the terms of the contract* is a full satisfaction for
those services, and the parent or guardian can not recover therefor a second time.
T itle 73.— Exemption o f wages from execution, etc.
Section 3243. The earnings of any minor child of any debtor within this State and
the proceeds thereof are exempt from execution against such debtor by reason of
any debts or liability of such debtor, not contracted for the special benefit of such
minor child.
VERMONT.
STATUTES OF 1894.
C hapter 38.— School attendance— Illiterates.
Section 712. No child under fifteen years of age shall be employed in a mill or
factory unless such child has attended public school twenty-six weeks during the
current year, and deposited with the owner or overseer of such mill or factory a cer
tificate of such attendance at school, signed by the teacher thereof.
Sec. 713. A child under fourteen who can not read and wTrite shall not be employed
during the sessions of the school such child should attend.
Sec. 714. Any person violating the provisions of the three preceding sections shall
be fined not more tfian twenty-five dollars and not less than five dollars to the use
of the town in which the child resides. Truant officers shall make complaint for
violations of this chapter to a justice or judge of a municipal court.
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
629
Sec. 715. The town superintendent may inquire of the owner or overseer of a mill
or factory as to the employment of children therein, may call for the production of
the certificate deposited with such owner or overseer, and satisfy himself that the
requirements of law have been complied with.
C h a p t e r 225.— A ge limit— H ours o f labor.
Section 5146. An owner, agent, superintendent or overseer of a manufacturing or
mechanical establishment who knowingly employs or permits to be employed in
such establishment a child under ten years of age, or employs a child under fifteen
years of age more than ten hours in one day, and a parent or guardian who allows
or consents to such employment, shall be fined fifty dollars.
ACTS OF 1902.
A ct N o. 90.— Em ploym ent o f women and minors in barrooms.
Section 24. * * * No female [shall] be employed on the premises or in the
room in which the license is operated.
No male person under the age of twenty-one [shall] be employed therein.
The two prohibitions last named shall not apply to hotels, common victuallers or
pharmacists holding a license of the fifth class [druggist’ s license].
V IR G IN IA .
ACTS OF 1889-90.
Chapter 193.— Hours o f labor.
Section 1. N o * * * child under fourteen years of age shall work as an
operative in any f a c t o r y or in any factory or manufacturing establishment in this
State more than ten hours in any one day of twenty-four hours. All contracts made
or to be made for the employment * * * of any child under fourteen years of age,
as an operative in any factory or manufacturing establishment to work more than ten
hours in any one day of twenty-four hours, are and shall be void.
Sec. 2. Any person having the authority to contract for the employment of per
sons as operatives in any factory or manufacturing establishment, who shall engage
or contract with * * * any child under fourteen years of age to work as an
operative in such factory or manufacturing establishment during more than ten hours
in any one day of twenty-four hours, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and be fined
not less than five nor more than twenty dollars.
ACTS OF 1895-96.
Chapter 644.— Certain employments forbidden.
Section 2. It shall be unlawful for any person having the care, custody or control
of any child under the age of fourteen years to sell, apprentice, give away, let, or
hire out, or otherwise dispose of such child to any person in or for the vocation or
occupation, service, or purpose of rope or wire walking, begging or peddling, or as a
gymnast, contortionist, rider, or acrobat in any place whatsoever, or for any obscene,
indecent or immoral purpose, exhibition, or practice whatsoever, or for or in any
business, exhibition or vocation injurious to the health or morals or dangerous to the
life or lim b of such child, or cause, procure, encourage or permit any such child to
engage therein.
Sec. 3. It shall also be unlawful for any person to take, receive, hire, employ, use,
exhibit, or have in custody any child under the age aforesaid for any of the purposes
prohibited in the second section of this act.
Sec. 6. Whenever any person or persons having the care or custody of any child
within the age previously mentioned in this act shall engage, hire out, or use such
child in or for any business, exhibition, vocation, or purpose prohibited in this act,
or shall permit the use of such child therefor, and shall be convicted of the same,
the court or magistrate before whom such conviction is had may, at his discretion, if
he should think it desirable for the welfare of such child, deprive the person or per
sons so convicted of the custody of such child, and thereafter such child shall be
deemed in the custody of the court, and thereupon such proceedings shall be had as
630
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
to the commitment, custody, care, and education of such child as are provided for in
section five of this act.
Sec. 7. A person convicted under any of the provisions of this act shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two hundred
dollars or by imprisonment in jail not exceeding twelve months, or both.
Sec. 8. In this act the word “ person” shall be construed to include corporations,
partnerships, companies, and associations, as well as individuals.
ACTS OF 1897-98.
C hapter 572.— Earnings o f minors.
Section 1. The wages of a minor shall not be liable to garnishment or otherwise
liable to the payment of the debts of parents.
ACTS OF 1902-03.
Chapter 156.— Night work— Age limit.
Section 1. No child under the age of fourteen years and over twelve years of age
shall be employed in any manufacturing, mechanical, or mining operations in this
Commonwealth to work between the hours of six o ’ clock postmeridian and seven
o ’ clock antemeridian; and no child under the age of twelve years shall be employed
in any manufacturing, mechanical, or mining operation in this Commonwealtn; and
any owner, agent, superintendent, overseer, foreman, or manager of any manufac
turing, mechanical, or mining operation who shall knowingly employ, or permit to
be employed, in the operation o f which he is owner, agent, superintendent, overseer,
foreman, or manager any child contrary to the provisions of this act, and any parent
or guardian who allows or consents to such employment of his child or ward, shall,
upon conviction of such offense, be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more
than one hundred dollars.
WASHINGTON.
CODES AND STATUTES OF 1897.
T itle 18.— Employment in mines.
Section 3172. No boy under the age of fourteen years * * * shall be employed
or permitted to be in any mine for the purpose of employment therein, nor shall a
boy under the age of twelve years be employed or permitted to be in or about the
outside structures or workings of a colliery for the purpose of employment: Provided ,
however, That this prohibition shall not affect the employment of a boy of suitable
age in an office or in the performance of clerical work at a colliery. W hen an
employer is in doubt as to the age of any boy applying for employment in or about
a mine or colliery, he shall demand and receive proof of the age oi such boy by cer
tificate from the parents or guardian of such boy before he shall be employed.
T it l e 25.— Earnings o f minors.
Section 4583. W hen a contract for the personal services of a minor nas been made
with him alone, and those services are afterwards performed, payment made there
for to such minor in accordance with the terms of the contract is a full satisfaction
for those services, and the parents or guardian can not recover therefor.
ACTS OF 1899.
Chapter 140.— Employment during school term— Illiterates.
Section 5. No child under the age of fifteen years shall be employed in any man
ufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishment, or by any telegraph or tele
phone company in this State, except during the vacations of the public schools of
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
631
the city in which such child resides, unless during the twelve months next preced
ing such employment, he shall have attended school as provided for in section one
of this act, or has already attained a reasonable proficiency in the common school
branches for the first eight years as outlined in the course of study for common
schools of the State of Washington, or shall have been excused by the board of
directors of the city in which such child resides; nor shall such employment con
tinue unless such child shall attend school each year, or until he shall have acquired
the elementary branches of learning taught in public schools as above provided.
Sec. 6. N o child under the age of fifteen years shall be so employed who does not
present a certificate made by or under the direction of the board of directors of the
district in which such child resides, of his compliance with the requirements of sec
tion five of this act; and said certificate shall also give the place and date o f birth of
such child as nearly accurate as may be; and every owner, superintendent or over
seer of any establishment or company employing any such child shall keep such
certificate on file so long as such child is employed therein. The form of said cer'
tificate shall be furnished by the superintendent of public instruction.
Sec. 7. Every owner, superintendent, or overseer of any such establishment or
company who employs or permits to be employed any child in violation of any of
the provisions of the two next preceding sections, and every parent or guardian who
permits such employment, shall be fined not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
Sec. 8. The truant officers shall, at least once in every school term, and as often as
the board of directors shall require, visit the establishments or companies employing
such children in their respective cities, and ascertain whether the provisions of the
three next preceding sections hereof are duly observed, and report all violations
thereof to the said board.
Sec. 9. The truant officers shall demand the names of the children under fifteen
years of age employed in such establishments or companies in their respective cities,
and shall require the certificates of age and school attendance, prescribed in section
6 of this act, to be produced for their inspection; and a refusal to produce such cer
tificate shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
Sec. 10. Every owner, superintendent or overseer of any such establishment or
company who employs or permits to be employed therein a child under sixteen years
of age who can not write his name, age and place of residence legibly, while the pub
lic schools in the city where such child lives are in session, shall for every such
offense be fined not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
ACTS OF 1903.
C h a p t e r 135.— Night work in bakeries.
S ection 9. No employer shall require, permit or suffer any person under sixteen
years of age to work in his bake shop between the hours of eight o ’ clock in the even
ing and five o’ clock in the morning.
Sec. 10. A ny person who violates the provisions of this act * * * shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof before any court of competent
jurisaiction, shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than fifty dollars or
imprisoned not more than ten days for the first offense; and shall be fined not less
than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars and imprisoned not less than ten nor
more than thirty days for each offense after the first.
C h a p t e r 136.— Female messengers— Age limit.
Section 1. No female person under eighteen years of age shall be employed as pub
lic messenger by any person, telegraph company, telephone company, or messenger
company in this State, nor shall any child of either sex under the age of fourteen
years be hired out to labor in any factory, mill, workshop or store at any time, pro
vided that any superior court judge, living within the residence district of any such
child, may issue a permit for the employment of any child between the ages of twelve
and fourteen years at any occupation, not in his judgment, dangerous or injurious to
the health or morals of such child, upon evidence, satisfactory to him, that the labor
of such child is necessary for its support or for the assistance of any invalid parent.
Such permits shall be issued for a definite time but shall be revocable at the discre
tion of the judge by whom they are issued.
Sec. 2. A ny employer, overseer, superintendent, or agent of such employer, who
shall violate any of the provisions of this act shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined
for each offense not less than $50 nor more than $100, or be imprisoned in the county
jail not exceeding one month.
632
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
W EST V IR G IN IA .
CODE— EDITION OF 1899.
A p p e n d ix .
Employment in mines.
(Page 1047.)
S ection 13. No boy under twelve years of age
* * * shall be permitted to
work in any coal mine, 'and in all cases of doubt, the parents or guardians of such
boys shall furnish affidavits of their ages.
Sec. 17. The operator or agent of any coal mine, who shall willfully neglect or
refuse to perform the duties required of him by any section of this act, or w ho shall
violate any of the provisions hereof, and any person who shall neglect or refuse to
perform the duties required of him by sections * * * thirteen * * * or who
shall violate any of the provisions thereof, * * * shall be guilty of a misde
meanor, and upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars
nor more than five hundred dollars; in default of payment of such fine and costs for
the space of ten days, the defendant may in the discretion of the court, be imprisoned
in the county jail for a period not exceeding three months.
Sec. 18. The provisions of this act shall apply only to coal mines in which ten or
more persons are employed in a period of twenty-four hours.
Age limit.
(Page 1055.)
S ection 1. No minor under twelve years of age shall be employed in any mine or
in any factory, workshop, manufactory or establishment where goods or wares are
manufactured; and in all cases of minors applying for work, it shall be the duty of
the manager, superintendent, foreman or operator, to see that the provisions of this
section are complied with.
Sec. 2. A ny manager, superintendent, foreman, or operator of such mine, factory,
workshop, manufactory, or establishment, and parents or guardians, allowing a child,
under twelve years of age, to work in violation of section first of this act, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less
than ten dollars nor more than twenty dollars for each and every such offense.
ACTS OF 1901.
C h a p t e r 14.— Certain employments forbidden.
S ection 2. Any person having the care, custody, or control of any minor child under
the age of fifteen years, who shall in any manner sell, apprentice, give away, or other
wise dispose of such child, or any person who shall take, receive or employ such child
for the vocation or occupation of rope or wire walking or as an acrobat, gymnast, con
tortionist or rider, and any person who, having the care, custody, or control of any
minor child whatsoever, shall sell, apprentice, give away or otherwise dispose of such
child, or w ho shall take, receive or employ such child for any obscene, indecent or
illegal exhibition or vocation, or any vocation injurious to the health, or dangerous
to the life or limb, of such child engaged therein, or for the purpose of prostitution,
and any person who shall retain, harbor, or employ any minor child in or about any
assignation house or brothel, or any place where any obscene, indecent or illegal,
exhibition takes place, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not less
than five dollars, nor more than one hundred dollars, for each offense.
Sec. 3. Any person having the care, custody, or control, lawful or unlawful, of any
minor child under the age of eighteen years, who shall use such minor, or apprentice,
give away, let out, hire or otherwise dispose of, such minor child to any person, for
the purpose of singing, playing on musical instruments, begging or for any mendicant
business whatsoever in the streets, roads, or other highways ot this State, and w ho
soever shall take, receive, hire, employ, use or have in custody, any minor for the
vocation, occupation, calling, service or purpose of singing, playing upon musical
instruments or begging upon the streets, roads or other highways of this State, or for
any mendicant business whatever, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined
not less than five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
633
Sec. 4. Any person having the care, custody, or control of any minor child under
the age of fifteen years, who shall in any manner sell, apprentice, give away or permit
such child to sing, dance, act, or in any manner exhibit it in any dance house, con
cert saloon, theater or place of entertainment where wines or spirituous or malt liquors
are sold or given away, or with which any place for the sale of wines or spirituous or
malt liquors is directly or indirectly connected by any passageway or entrance, and
any proprietor of arty dance house whatever, or any such concert saloon, theater, or
place of entertainment, so employing any such child, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and shall be fined not less than five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars for
each offense.
WISCONSIN.
ANNOTATED STATUTES OF 1898.
C h a p t e r 83.— H ours o f labor— A ge limit.
S ection 1728. In all manufactories, workshops or other places used for mechanical
or manufacturing purposes the time of labor of children under the age of eighteen
years * * * employed therein shall not exceed eight hours in one day; and any
employer, stockholder, director, officer, overseer, clerk or foreman who shall compel
* * * any such child to labor exceeding eight hours in any one day, or who shall
permit any child under fourteen years of age to labor more than ten hours in any
one day in any such place, if he shall have control over such child sufficient to pre
vent it, or who shall employ at manual labor any child under twelve years of age in
any factory or workship where more than three persons are employed, or who shall
employ any child of twelve and under fourteen years of age in any such factory or
workshop for more than seven months in any one year shall be punished by fine not
less than five nor more than fifty dollars for each such offense.
Sec. 1728a. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed at labor or
service in any mine, factory, workshop or place of public entertainment or amuse
ment except upon permit as hereinafter provided; but nothing herein shall interfere
with or prohibit the employment of such child in the service of its parents outside
of school hours. The county judge of the county wherein any child resides may, by
order entered of record, grant a permit and deliver a copy thereof under seal to any
child over twelve years of age exempting such child from the operation of this sec
tion as to employment. Every such permit shall specify the conditions and the time
during w hich such child may be employed and fix such limitations as to said judge
shall seem proper; and in determining whether such permit shall be granted the
judge shall consider the moral and physical condition of the child, his state of edu
cation, the necessities of the family to which such child belongs and such other cir
cumstances as, in the discretion of the judge, ought to affect the question of exemption.
No charge or fee shall be required in any matter under this section: Provided, That
where such child resides at a distance of more than ten miles from the county seat
the power to grant permits herein conferred upon the county judge may, under the
same limitations and with the same conditions, be exercised, by the mayor of the
city or the president of the village in which or nearest to which said child or its
parents resides. Any person, company, firm or corporation that employs or per
mits to be employed at work any child in violation of the foregoing provisions and
any parent or other person having the control of any such child w ho permits such
employment shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than
fifty dollars.
C h a p t e r 186.— Certain employments forbidden.
S ection 4587a. Any person having the care, custody or control of any child under
the age of fourteen years who shall exhibit, use or employ, or in any manner or
under any pretense sell, apprentice, give away, let out or otherwise dispose of such
child to any person for any obscene, indecent or immoral purpose, exhibition or prac
tice, or for any business, exhibition or vocation injurious to the health or dangerous
to the life or lim b of such child, or who shall cause, procure or encourage any such
child to engage therein, and any person who shall take, receive, hire, employ, use,
exhibit or have in custody any such child for any such purpose shall be punished by
imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months or by fine of not more
than one hundred dollars, or by both imprisonment and fine.
634
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
ACTS OF 1899.
C h a p t e r 79.— Em ploym ent in cigar factories.
S ection 6. No person under eighteen years of age shall be employed or permitted
to work in a cigar shop or a cigar factory at manufacturing cigars for longer than
eight hours a day or forty-eight hours a week.
S ec . 8. Any person violating any provision of this act shall be punished by fine not
exceeding twenty-five dollars and no less than ten dollars for the first offense, and
by fine not exceeding fifty dollars, and no less than twenty-five dollars for the second
and each following offense.
C h a p t e r 274.— Age limit— Employment during school term— H ours o f labor— Night
work— Em ploym ent on elevators.
S ection 1 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). No child between the ages
of fourteen and sixteen years shall be employed at any time in any factory or work
shop, bowling alley, barroom, beer garden, in or about any mine, store, office, hotel,
mercantile establishment, laundry, telegraph, telephone, public messenger service or
work for wages at any gainful occupation at any place, unless there is first obtained
from the commissioner of labor, State factory inspector, any assistant factory
inspector, or from the judge of the county court or municipal court or from the judge
of a juvenile court where such child resides, a written permit authorizing the
employment of such child within such time or times as the said commissioner of
labor, State factory inspector, any assistant factory inspector, county judge, munici
pal judge or judge of a juvenile court may fix. No child under fourteen years of age
shall be employed at any time in any factory or workshop, bowling alley, barroom,
bear [beer] garden, or in or about any mine. No child under fourteen years shall
be employed, required or suffered to work for wages at any gainful occupation at
any time except that during the vacation of the public school in the town, district or
city where any child between the ages of twelve and fourteen years resides, it may
be employed in any store, office, hotel, mercantile establishment, laundry, telegraph,
telephone or public messenger service in the town, district or city where it resides,
and not elsewhere: Provided , That there is first obtained from the commissioner of
labor, State factory inspector, any assistant factory inspector, county judge, munici
pal judge, or from the judge of a juvenile court where such child resides, a written
permit authorizing the employment of such child within such time or times as the
said commissioner of labor, State factory inspector, any assistant factory inspector,
county judge, municipal judge or judge of a juvenile court may fix. The said com
missioner of labor, State factory inspector, any assistant factory inspector, county
judge, municipal, or judge of a juvenile court shall keep a record, stating the name,
date and place of birth, and place of school attended by any such child, and the
county judge, municipal judge or such judge of a juvenile court shall report when
so requested by the commissioner of labor or State factory inspector, the number
of permits issued by him from time to time as hereinbefore provided. When the
commissioner of labor, State factory inspector, any assistant factory inspector, county
judge, municipal judge, or judge of a juvenile court has reason to doubt the age of
any child who applies for such permit, commissioner of labor, State factory inspector,
any assistant factory inspector, county judge, municipal judge or judge of a juvenile
court shall demand proof of such child’ s age by the production of a verified baptis
mal certificate or a duly attested birth certificate, or in case such certificate can not be
secured, by the record of age stated in the first school enrollment of such child, and
if such proof does not exist or can not be secured then by the production of such other
proof as may be satisfactory to said commissioner of labor, State factory inspector,
any assistant factory inspector, county judge, municipal judge or judge of a juven
ile court, and no permit shall be issued unless proof of such child’ s age is filed
with the said commissioner of labor, State factory inspector, any assistant factory
inspector, county judge, municipal judge or judge of a juvenile court. Whenever it
appears that a permit has been obtained by a wrong or false statement as to any
child’ s age, the commissioner of labor, State factory inspector, any assistant factory
inspector, county judge, municipal judge or judge of a juvenile court of the county
where such child resides shall revoke such permit.
Sec. 2 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). It shall be the duty of every
person, firm or corporation, agent or manager of any firm or corporation employing
minors in any mine, factory or workshop, bowling alley, barroom, beer garden,
store, office, hotel, mercantile establishment, laundry, telegraph, telephone or pub
lic messenger service within this State to keep a register m the place where such
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
635
minor is employed and subject at all times to the inspector, or assistant factory
inspector,, in which register shall be recorded the name, age and date of birth, place
of residence, of every child employed, permitted or suffered to work therein, under
the age of sixteen years, and it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation,
agent or manager of any firm or corporation to hire or employ, permit or suffer to
work in any mine, mercantile establishment, factory or workshop, bowling alley,
barroom, beer garden, store, office, hotel, laundry, telegraph, telephone or public
messenger service, any child under sixteen years of age unless there is first provided
and placed on file in such mine, mercantile establishment, factory or workshop,
bowling alley, barroom, beer garden, store, office, hotel, laundry, telegraph, tele
phone or public messenger [office], a permit granted by either the commissioner of
labor, State factory inspector, any assistant factory inspector, county judge, municipal
judge, or judge of a juvenile court of the county where such child resides.
S ec . 3 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). No person under the age of
sixteen years shall be employed, required, permitted or suffered to work for wages
at any gainful occupation longer than ten hours in any one day, nor more than six
days in any one week, nor after the hour of nine at night nor before the hour of six
in the morning: Provided , That this section shall not apply to boys carrying news
papers between the hours of four and six in the morning.
Sec. 4 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). It shall be the duty of the com
missioner of labor, the factory or assistant factory inspector to enforce tne provisions
of this act, and to prosecute violation of the same before any court of competent
jurisdiction in this State. It shall be the duty of said commissioner of labor or the
factory or assistant factory inspectors, and they are hereby authorized and empow
ered to visit and inspect, at all reasonable times, and as often as possible, all places
covered by this act.
S ec . 5 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). The commissioner of labor, the
factory or assistant factory inspector shall have the power to demand a certificate of
physical fitness, from some regularly licensed physician, in the case of children who
may seem physically unable to perform the labor at which they may be employed,
and no minor shall be employed who can not obtain such a certificate.
S ec . 6 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). No firm, person or corporation
shall employ or permit any child under sixteen years of age to have the care, custody,
management or operation of any elevator.
S ec . 7 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). The words “ manufacturing
establishment,” “ factory” or “ w orkshop” as used in this act, shall be construed to
mean any place where goods or products are manufactured or repaired, dyed, cleaned
or storted [sorted], stored or packed, in whole or in part, for sale or for wages, and
not for the personal use of the maker or his or her family or employer.
S ec . 8 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). Any person, firm or corpora
tion, agent or manager of any corporation who, whether for himself or for such firm
or corporation or by himself or through agents, servants, or foreman, shall violate
or fail to com ply with any of the provisions of this act or shall hinder or delay the
commissioner of labor, the factory or assistant inspectors or any or either of them in
the performance of their duty or refuse to admit or shut or lock them out from any
place required to be inspected by this act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor
and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than
one hundred dollars for each offense. A n y corporation which, by its agents, officers
or servants, shall violate or fail to com ply with any of the above provisions of this
act shall be liable to the above penalties, which may be recovered against such cor
porations in action for debt or assumpsit brought before any court of competent
jurisdiction.
Sec. 9 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). Any parent or guardian, who
suffers or permits a child to be employed, or suffered or permitted to work, in viola
tion of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall
-be fined not less than five nor more than twenty-five dollars.
S ec . 10 (as amended by chapter 349, acts of 1903). When in any proceeding in
any court under this section there is any doubt as to the age of any child, a verified
baptismal certificate or a duly attested birth certificate shall be produced and filed
with the court. In case such certificates can not be secured, upon proof of such fact,
the record c f age stated in the first school enrollment of such child shall be admis
sible as evidence thereof.
C h a p t e r 330.— Certain employments forbidden .
Section 3. No license shall be granted for a theatrical exhibition or public show
in which children under fifteen years of age are employed as acrobats, contortionists
or in any feats of gymnastics or equestrianism, when in the opinion of the board of
636
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
officers authorized to grant licenses such children are employed in such manner as to
corrupt their morals or impair their physical health.
Sec. 4. A ny person who shall violate any of the provisions of this act shall, upon
conviction, be fined in a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.
ACTS OF 1903.
C h a p t e r 402.— Female messengers.
S ection 1. No female under eighteen years of age shall be employed as a messen
ger b y any telegraph or telephone company, firm or corporation or by any company,
firm, corporation or individual engaged in similar business.
Sec. 2. W hoever violates the provisions of this act shall be punished by a fine of
not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than tw o hundred dollars or by imprison
ment for not more than six months.
W YOM ING.
CONSTITUTION.
A r t ic l e 9.— Employment in mines.
S ection 3. No boy under the age of fourteen years and no woman of any age shall
be employed or permitted to be in or about any coal, iron or other dangerous mines
for the purpose of employment therein: Provided, however, This provision shall not
affect the employment o f a boy or female of suitable age in an office or in the per
formance of clerical work at such mine or colliery.
REVISED STATUTES— 1899.
D iv is io n I.
T it l e 16.— Certain employments forbidden— Em ploym ent in mines.
S ection 2289. It shall be unlawful for any person having the care, custody or
control of any child under the age of fourteen years to exhibit, use or employ, or in
any manner, or under any pretense, sell, apprentice, give away, let out or other
wise dispose of any such child to any person, in or for the vocation or occupation,
service or purpose of singing, playing on musical instruments, dancing, rope or wire
walking, begging or peddling, or as a gymnast, contortionist, rider or acrobat, in any
place whatsoever; or as an actor or performer in any concert hall or room where
intoxicating liquors are sold or given away, or in any variety theater, or for any
illegal, obscene, indecent or immoral purpose, exhibition or practice whatsoever; or
for or in any business exhibition or vocation, injurious to the health or dangerous to
the life or lim b of such child, or cause, procure or encourage such child to engage
therein. Nothing in this section contained shall apply to or affect the employment
or use of any child as a singer or musician in any church, school or academy, or at
any respectable entertainment, or the teaching or learning the science or practice of
music. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, receive, hire, employ, use,
exhibit or have in custody any child, under the age, and for the purposes prohibited
in this section.
Sec. 2295. Any person who shall take, receive, hire or employ, either in his or
her own behalf, or as the agent, servant or employee of any person, persons, associa
tion of persons, copartnership, company, corporation, any boy or male child under
the age of fourteen years, or any woman or girl of any age, or shall allow or permit
the said persons to be in or about any coal, iron or other dangerous mine, o r .
underground works or dangerous place whatsoever in this State, for the purpose of
employment therein or thereabouts, shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars,
nor more than one hundred dollars to which may be added imprisonment in the
county jail not more than six months: Prowded} however, That the provisions of this
section shall not affect or apply to the employment of a boy or female of suitable age
in an office, or in the performance of clerical work at such mine, colliery or place.
ACTS OF 1903.
C h a p t e r 35.— Mining regulations.
S ection 8. No person
as hoisting engineer.
*
*
*
under eighteen years of age shall be employed
CHILD LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
637
UNITED STATES.
ACTS OF 1890-91.
C h a p t e r 561.— Employment in mines.
S ectio n 12. No child under twelve years of age shall be employed in the under
ground workings of any mine. And no father or other person shall misrepresent
the age of anybody so employed. A n y person guilty of violating the provisions of
this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof
shall be fined not to exceed one hundred dollars.
[This section applies to coal mines in the Territories of the United States.]
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
[It is the purpose of this Bureau to publish from time to time important agree
ments made between large bodies of employers and employees with regard to wages,
hours of labor, etc. The Bureau would be pleased to receive copies of such agree
ments whenever made.]
BITU M IN OU S C O A L M INING.
Indianapolis Interstate Agreement fo r Years Beginning April 1, 190b,
and Ending March 31, 1906.
It is hereby agreed, that the interstate agreement o f the present
year shall be continued with the same conditions for two years from
April 1, 1904, until March 31, 1906, with the follow ing exceptions,
to wit:
F irst . That the price fo r mining be reduced five cents (5 cents) per
ton on inch and a quarter (1£ inch) screened lump coal, pick mining, in
western Pennsylvania thin vein, the Hocking, the basing district of
Ohio, and in both block and bituminous districts o f Indiana; three cents
(3 cents) per ton on mine-run coal, pick mining, in the bituminous dis
trict o f Indiana, and at Danville, the basing point o f Illinois.
S econd . That the price fo r machine mining be reduced four cents (4
cents) per ton on screened lump coal in western Pennsylvania thin
vein, and the Hocking, the basing district o f Ohio; five cents (5 cents)
per ton on screened lump coal in the block and bituminous districts o f
Indiana, and three cents (3 cents) per ton on mine-run coal in the bitu
minous district o f Indiana, and at Danville, the basing point o f Illinois.
T h ird . That the inside day wage scale shall be as follows, with the
conditions o f the Columbus day wage scale agreement o f 1898, to wit:
Track la y e r s................................................................................................................... $2.42
Track layers’ h elp ers............................................................................................... . 2.23
Trappers.......... ................................................................................................................ 1. 06*;
Bottom cages................................................................................................................... 2.42
D rivers............................................................................................................................. 2.42
Trip riders....................................................................................................................... 2.42
Water haulers and machine haulers.......................................................................... 2.42
Timbermen, where such are em ployed.................................................................... 2.42
Pipe men, for compressed air plants.......................................................................... 2.36
Company men in long-wall mines of third-vein district of northern Illinois . . . 2.23
A ll other inside day labor............................................................................................ 2.23
F ourth . That yardage and dead work be reduced in the same
proportion.
F ifth . That internal differences in any o f the States or districts,
both as to prices and conditions, shall be referred to the States or
districts affected for adjustment.
Further, in pursuance o f the authority vested in us, we hereby call
a joint convention o f the coal operators and miners o f western Penn
638
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
639
sylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois to meet at Indianapolis, Ind., at
10 o’clock a. m ., January 25, 1906.
The foregoing scale having been unanimously agreed to by the duly
qualified representatives o f the operators and miners o f the four States
o f (western) Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, by virtue o f
the authority vested in us by the operators and miners o f the States
aforesaid, we hereunto attach our signatures.
In behalf o f operators:
In behalf o f miners:
THIN VEIN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA.
P. Dolan,
Wm. Dodds.
Francis L. Robbins,
G. W . Schluederberg.
OHIO.
John H. W inder,
J. J. Roby.
W . H. Haskins,
G .W . Savage.
INDIANA (BLOCK DISTRICT).
J. H. McClelland.
Wm. M. Zeller,
William Wilson.
INDIANA (BITUMINOUS DISTRICT).
W . S. Bogle,
J. C. Kolsem.
Geo. Hargrove,
J. H. Kennedy.
ILLINOIS.
H. N. Taylor,
J. H. Garaghty.
Thos. J. Reynolds,
W . D. Ryan.
In behalf o f the United Mine W orkers o f America:
John Mitchell, President.
T. L. Lewis, Vice-President.
W . B. W ilson, Sec.-Treas.
Signed at Indianapolis, Ind., March 21, 1904.
Attest:
F. S. Brooks, Secretary.
Illinois State Agreementfrom April 1, 190h t° March 31, 1906.
Whereas, a contract between the operators o f the competitive coal
fields o f western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the
United Mine W'orkers o f America, has been entered into at the city of
Indianapolis, Indiana, March 21,1904, fixing a scale o f mining prices,
day wages and conditions, fo r certain base points therein set forth, to
continue in force and effect fo r two years from A pril 1, 1904, and
Whereas, this contract fixes the pick mining price o f bituminous
mine-run coal at Danville at fifty-two (52 cents) per (on of two thou
sand (2,000) pounds; therefore be it
640
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Resolved, That the prices for pick-mined coal throughout the State
for two years beginning A pril 1, 1904, shall be as follows:
FIRST DISTRICT.
Streator, Cardiff, Clarke City and associated mines, including Toluca thick
vein............................................................................................................................. $0.61
(N o te . — The matter of the clay parting at Streator to be referred to sub
district convention for adjustment.)
Third vein and associated mines, including third vein at Streator, including
twenty-four inches of brushing.....................................................................................79
Wilmington and associated mines, including Cardiff long wall and Bloom
ington thin vein, including brushing...........................................................................84
Bloomington thick vein...................................................................................................... 74
Pontiac, including twenty-four inches of brushing..................................................... 84
Pontiac, top v e in ..................................................................................................................61
Marseilles, Seneca and Morris. (Referred to a joint committee of two
miners and two operators, who shall take action prior to May 15, 1904, the
scale to be in force from April 1, 1904, and in default of an agreement the
matter shall be referred to the two State executive boards.)
Cornell, long wall, third vein con dition s......................................................................79
Cornell, room and p illar................................................................................................... 69
SECOND DISTRICT.
Danville, Westville, Grape Creek and associated mines in Vermilion County. $0.52
THIRD DISTRICT.
Springfield, Dawson and associated m in es............................................................ $0.52I50Lincoln and N iantic............................................................................................................56
C olfax..................................................................................................................................... 56
FOURTH DISTRICT.
Mines on C. & A. south of Springfield, to and including Carlinville; includ
ing Taylorville, Pana, Tower Hill, Litchfield, Hillsboro, W itt (Paisley),
Divernon, and Pawnee............................................................................................ $0.52
Assumption long wall, including twenty-four inches of brushing....................
. 68J
Assumption upper vein, including twenty-four inches of bru sh in g................
.87
Moweaqua, room and p illa r......................................................................................
.56
Decatur, long wall, present con dition s...................................................................
.67
Decatur, room and pillar. (Referred to the State president of the United
Mine Workers ana the commissioner of the Illinois Coal Operators’ Asso
ciation to fix the mining price, and if they can not agree by May 1st it
shall be taken up by the State executive boards; the rate so determined
to be a part o f this contract.)
Raymond, referred for local settlement.
FIFTH DISTRICT.
Glen Carbon, Belleville and associated mines, to and including Percy, Pinck
ney ville, Willisville and Nashville...................................................................... $0.52
Coal five feet and u n d e r ................................................................................................... 57
SIXTH DISTRICT.
Duquoin, Odin, Sandoval, Centralia and associated mines
Salem and K in m u n d y ........................................... ..................
$0.48
.53
641
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
SE V E N T H D IS T R IC T .
Mount V e rn o n .............................................................................................................
Jackson C ou n ty...........................................................................................................
(A ll coal five feet and under, five cents extra per ton; this not to apply to
lower bench, nor rolls or horsebacks.)
Lower bench, Jackson County, for shipping mines, miners to carry fourteen
inches brushing.......................................................................................................
Saline County........................................
(Saline County question of low coal referred to joint subdistrict for ad
justment. )
Williamson County.....................................................................................................
$0.53
.48
.61
.48
.45
E IG H T H D IS T R IC T .
Fulton and Peoria counties, thin or lower vein (third vein conditions)........
Fulton and Peoria counties, No. 5 v e i n .................................................................
Astoria, No. 5 vein (Fulton and Peoria counties conditions)............................
Fulton and Peoria counties, No. 6 vein (with Kewanee and Etherley condi
tions, undercutting and wedging the coal; and if they can not obtain mem
bers of the U. M. W . of A. to mine the coal under these terms and conditions,
it shall be the privilege of the operators to call for a meeting of the joint
executive boards of the miners and operators, and said joint executive
boards shall fix a rate for shooting coal in that seam )...................................
$0.79
.59
.59
.68
Gilchrist, Wanlock, Cable, Sherrard and Silvia mines, sixty-three cents
per ton, with last year’ s conditions. In case of deficient work, where miner
and mine manager can not agree as to compensation, the mine committee
shall be called in, and, if they can not agree, the dispute shall be carried up
under the thirteenth clause of the present scale.
.68
Kewanee, Etherley and W y o m in g .........................................................................
Pottstown, No. 1 seam, scale to be the same as Gilchrist and Wanlock,
except in the brushing of the top; that shall be settled b y the subdistrict.
Colchester, referred for local settlement.
Pekin, shipping mines only, mining rate and dead work scale to be
referred to President Perry, Commissioner Justi, one member of the U. M. W.
of Illinois, and one member of the Illinois Coal Operators’ Association, to
be appointed b y the respective organizations, together with such fifth party
as they may agree upon, whose decision shall be made by a majority vote,
not later than May 1,1904, and be effective for two years from April 1,1904;
such decision to be based upon the competitive and mining conditions,
between such mines and shipping mines in the Peoria district.N IN T H D IS T R IC T .
Mount Olive, Staunton, Gillespie, Clyde, Sorento, Coffeen and Worden, and
mines on the Vandalia line as far east as and including Smithboro, and on
B. & 0 . S. W . as far east as B u x to n ...................................................................
Coal five feet and u n d e r ............................................................................................
$0.52
.57
NO IN C R E A S E IN COST E X C E P T AS P R O V ID E D .
First. The Indianapolis interstate convention, having adopted a
mining and underground day labor scale, in effect A pril 1, 1904, no
changes or conditions shall be imposed in the Illinois scale for the
coming tw o years that increase the cost o f production o f coal in any
district in the State, except as may be provided.
E M P L O Y E E S E X E M P T E D F R O M JU R IS D IC T IO N O F U . M . W . O F A .
Second. No scale o f wages shall be made by the United Mine W orkers
for mine manager, mine manager’s assistant, top foreman, company
8674—No. 52—04-----11
642
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
weighman, boss drivers, night boss, head machinist, head boiler maker,
head carpenter, night watchman, hoisting engineers. The authority
to hire and discharge shall be vested in the mine manager, top foreman
and boss driver. The term “ assistant” shall apply only to such as are
authorized to act in that capacity. The night watchman shall be
exempt when employed in that capacity only. The terms “ head car
penter” and “ head machinist” shall apply only to such as have gen
eral charge o f carpentry or machine work at two or more mines, or at
one mine and one or more washing plants.
N O M A R K E T R E S T R IC T IO N .
Third. A n y operators paying the scale rate o f mining and day labor
under this agreement shall at ail times be at liberty to load any railroad
cars whatever, regardless o f their ownership, with coal, and sell and
deliver such coal in any market and to any person, firm or corporation
that he may desire.
Q U A L IT Y O F M IN E -R U N C O A L.
P U SH IN G CO A L B Y M IN E R S P R O H IB IT E D .
Fourth. The scale o f prices for mining per ton of two thousand
pounds, run-of-mine coal herein provided for, is understood in every
case to be fo r coal practically free from slate, bone and other impuri
ties, loaded in cars at the face, weighed before screening; and that the
practice o f pushing coal by the miners shall be prohibited.
M IN IN G A N D SH O O TIN G TO B E A C C O R D IN G TO STATE M IN IN G L A W .
Fifth, (a) W hether the coal is shot after being undercut or sheared
by pick or machine, or shot without undercutting or shearing, the
miners must drill and blast the coal in accordance with the State mining
law o f Illinois, in order to protect the roof and timbers and in the
interest o f general safety. A n y miner who persistently violates the
letter or spirit o f this clause shall be discharged.
(i) The system o f paying for coal before screening was intended to
obviate the many contentions incident to the use o f screens, and was
not intended to encourage unworkmanlike methods o f mining and blast
ing coal, or to decrease the proportion o f screened lump, and the
operators are hereby guaranteed the hearty support and cooperation
o f the United Mine W orkers o f America in disciplining any miner
who from ignorance or carelessness, or other cause, fails to properly
mine, shoot and load his coal.
P E N A L T IE S F O R L O A D IN G IM P U R IT IE S .
Sixth. In case slate, bone, clay, sulphur or other impurities are sent
up with the coal b y the miner, it shall be the duty o f whomever the com
pany shall designate as inspector to report the same, with the estimated
weight thereof, and the miner or miners so offending shall have such
weight deducted from the established weight o f the car, and for the
first offense in any given month shall be fined fifty cents; fo r the sec
ond offense in the same month he or they shall, at the option o f the opertor be fined two dollars or suspended fo r two working days; and for
the third, or any subsequent offense in the same month, or in malicious
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
643
or aggravated cases fo r the first, or any subsequent offense, the operator
may indefinitely suspend or discharge.
The company weighman shall post in a conspicuous place at the pit
head the names o f all miners dealt with hereunder.
The inspector designated by the operator shall be a member o f the
U. M. W . o f A . , but in the discharge o f the duties herein specified shall
not be subject to the jurisdiction o f the local union or president or pit
committee, and against any miner or committeeman seeking in any
way to embarrass the inspector in or because o f the discharge o f such
duties the provisions o f the miners’ State constitution shall be
invoked, and in addition he shall at the option of the operator be sus
pended fo r two working days.
In case it shall be alleged by either the local representative o f the
miners, or by the operator, that the inspector is not properly per
form ing his duties hereunder, it shall be so reported to the miners’ sub
district president, who shall, within twenty-four hours after the
receipt o f notification, take it up with the superintendent o f the com
pany for adjudication; and, if it shall be found that the inspector is
not faithfully perform ing such duties, he shall be discharged or trans
ferred to other duties, as the operator may elect.
The proceeds o f all fines hereunder shall be paid to the miners’ sub
district treasurer, and under no circumstances shall any such fines be
remitted or refunded.
P A Y DAYS. A N D STATE M E N TS O F A C C O U N T.
Seventh. The miners o f the State o f Illinois are to be paid twice a
month, in lawful money, the balance due them, the dates o f pay to be
determined locally, but in no event shall more than one-half month’s
pay be retained by the operator. When any number o f men at any
mine so demand, statements will be issued to all employees not less
than twenty-four hours prior to pay day. The miners and operators
shall decide locally as to the form and manner in which statements
shall be issued. No commission will be charged for wages advanced
to employees between pay days, but any advances between pay days
shall be at the option or the operator.
P O W D E R — P R IC E A N D Q U A L IT Y .
Eighth. The price fo r powder per keg shall be $1.75. The miners
agree to purchase their powder from the operators, provided it is fur
nished o f standard grade and quality; that to be determined by the
operators and expert miners jointly, where there is a difference.
Powder to be delivered at the face wnen requested.
B L A C K SM IT H IN G .
Ninth. The price for blacksmithing for pick mining shall be sixtenths o f a cent per ton for room and pillar work, and twelve and onehalf cents per pav per man, or twenty-five cents per month, fo r long
wall fo r pick and drill sharpening.
O IL .
Tenth. It is understood that there is no agreement as to the price
o f oil.
644
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
IN S ID E D A Y W A G E SC A LE .
Eleventh. Pursuant to the Indianapolis agreement o f March 21,
1904, the inside day wage scale shall be as follow s:
T ra ck la y e rs........................................... ....................................................................... $2.42
Track layers’ h elpers.................................................................................................... 2.23
Trappers........................................................................................................................... 1.06J
Bottom cagers................................................................................................................. 2.42
D rivers............................................................................................................................. 2.42
Trip riders and g rip pers.............................................................................................. 2.42
Water haulers and machine h au lers......................................................................... 2.42
lumbermen, where such are em ployed........ . .......................................................... 2.42
Pipe men, for compressed air plants......................................................................... 2.36
Brushers in long-wall mines, third vein and Wilmington fields, northern
Illin o is......................................................................................................................... 2.42
Other company men in long-wall mines of third vein and Wilmington fields,
northern Illin o is ....................................................................................................... 2.23
A ll other inside day la b o r .......................................................................................... 2.23
Provided, that all classes of underground day labor, not specified above, whose
rates have been fixed locally, shall be reduced 5.55 per cent.
D E F IN IT IO N O F E IG H T -H O U R D A Y F O R M IN E R S .
Twelfth. The above scale o f mining prices is based upon an eighthour workday, and it is definitely understood that this shall mean eight
hours’ work at the face, exclusive o f noon time, six days a week, or
forty-eight hours in the week, provided the operator desires the mine
to work, and no local ruling shall in any way affect this agreement, or
impose conditions affecting the same.
O V E R T IM E F O R D A Y L A B O R .
A n y class o f day labor may be paid, at the option o f the operator,
for the number o f hours and fractions thereof actually worked, at an
hour rate based on one-eighth o f the scale rate per day. Provided,
however, that when the men go into the mine in the morning they
shall be entitled to two hours’ pay whether the mine hoists coal two
hours or not, except in the event that they voluntarily leave their work
during this time without the consent o f the operator, they shall fo r
feit such two hours’ pay. Provided, further, that overtime by day
laborers, when necessary to supply railroad chutes with coal by night
or Sunday, where no regular men therefor are exclusively employed,
or when necessary in order not to impede the operation o f the mine
the day following, and for work which can not be performed or com
pleted by the regular shift during regular hours without impeding the
operation o f the mine, may be performed and paid fo r at the same rate
per hour.
D U T IE S A N D L IM IT A T IO N S
OF
P IT
C O M M IT T E E .
A D JU STM E N T
O F D IS
P U T E S A N D G R IE V A N C E S .
Thirteenth, (a) The duties o f the pit committee shall be confined to
the adjustment o f disputes between the pit boss and any o f the mem
bers o f the United Mine W orkers o f America working in and around
the mine, fo r whom a scale is made, arising out o f this agreement, or
any subdistrict agreement made in connection herewith, where the pit
boss and said miner, or mine laborers, have failed to agree.
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
645
(b) In case o f any local trouble arising at any shaft through such
failure to agree between the pit boss and any miner or mine laborer,
the pit committee and the miners’ local president and the pit boss are
empowered to adjust it; and, in case o f their disagreement it shall be
referred to the superintendent o f the company and the president o f
the miners’ local executive board, where such exists, and shall they
fail to adjust it— and in all other cases—it shall be referred to the
superintendent o f the company and the miners’ president o f the sub
district; and, should they fail to adjust it, it shall be referred in writing
to the officials o f the company concerned and the State officials o f the
U. M. W . o f A . for adjustment, and in all such cases, the miners and
mine laborers and parties involved must continue at work pending an
investigation and adjustment, until a final decision is reacned in the
manner above set forth.
W H E N D A Y M EN A R E TO B E F U R N IS H E D B Y P IT C O M M ITTE E .
(c) I f any day men refuse to continue at w ork because o f a grievance
which has or has not been taken up for adjustment in the manner pro
vided herein, and such action shall seem likely to impede the operation
o f the mine, the pit committee shall immediately furnish a man or men
to take such vacant place, or places, at the scale rate in order that the
mine may continue at w ork; and it shall be the duty of any member,
or members, o f the United Mine W orkers, who may be called upon by
the pit boss, or pit committee, to immediately take the place or places
assigned to him or them in pursuance hereof.
D U T IE S A N D L IM IT A T IO N S O F P IT C O M M ITTE E .
(d) The pit committee, in the discharge o f its duties, shall under no
circumstances g o around the mine for any cause whatever, unless
called upon by the pit boss or by a miner or company man who may
have a grievance that he cannot settle with the boss; and, as its duties
are confined to the adjustment o f any such grievances, it is under
stood that its members shall not draw any compensation except while
actively engaged in the discharge o f said duties. A ny pit committee
man who shall attempt to execute any local rule or proceeding in con
flict with any provision o f this contract, or any other made in pursuance
hereof, shall be forthwith deposed as committeeman. The foregoing
shall not be construed to prohibit the pit committee from looking after
the matter o f membership dues and initiations in any proper manner.
(e) Members o f the pit committee employed as aay men shall not
leave their places o f duty during working hours, except by permission
o f the operator, or in cases involving the stoppage o f the mine.
R IG H T TO H IR E A N D D IS C H A R G E .
(f ) The right to hire and discharge, the management o f the mine,
ana the direction o f the working force, are vested exclusively in the
operator, and the U. M. W . o f A . shall not abridge this right. It is
not the intention o f this provision to encourage the discharge o f
employees, or the refusal o f employment to applicants because o f per
sonal prejudiceoractivity inmattersaffectingtheU. M. W . o f A . I f any
employee shall be suspended or discharged by the company, and it is
646
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
claimed that an injustice has been done him, an investigation to be con
ducted by the parties and in the manner set forth in paragraphs (a) and
(b) o f this section shall be taken up promptly, and, if it is proven that
an injustice has been done, the operator snail reinstate said employee
and pay him full compensation fo r the time he has been suspended
and out o f employment; provided, if no decision shall be rendered
within five days the case shall be considered closed, in so far as com
pensation is concerned, unless said failure to arrive at a decision
within five days is owing to delay on the part o f the operator, in which
case a maximum o f ten days’ compensation shall be paid.
(g)
It is understood and agreed that there shall be no more than
three members on the pit committee at any one mine.
O U T SID E D A Y W A G E SC A LE .
Fourteenth. The wages now being paid outside day labor at the
various mines in this State, less a reduction o f 5.55 per cent, shall
constitute the wage scale fo r that class o f labor during the life o f this
agreement; provided, that no top man shall receive less than $1.91
per day.
F A T A L A C C ID E N TS A N D F U N E R A L S .
Fifteenth. In the event o f an instantaneous death by accident in the
mine, the miners and underground employees shall have the privilege
o f discontinuing work fo r the remainder o f that day; but work, at the
option o f the operator, shall be resumed the day follow ing and con
tinue thereafter. In case the operator elects to operate the mine on
the day o f the funeral o f the deceased, as above, or where death has
resulted from an accident in the mine, the individual miners and under
ground employees may, at their option, absent themselves from work
fo r the purpose o f attending such funeral, but not otherwise. And
whether attending such funeral or not, each member o f the U. M. W .
o f A . employed at the mine at which the deceased was employed, shall
contribute fifty cents and the operator twenty-five dollars for the
benefit o f the family o f the deceased, or his legal representatives, to be
collected through the office o f the company. In the event that the
mines are thrown idle on account o f the miners’ or other employees’
failure to report fo r work in the time intervening between the time o f
the accident and the funeral or on the day o f the funeral, then the com
pany shall not be called upon fo r the payment o f the twenty-five
dollars above referred to.
Except in case o f fatal accidents as above, the mine shall in no case
be thrown idle because o f any death or funeral; but in the case o f the
death o f any employee o f the company or member o f his family any
individual miner may, at his option, absent himself from work for the
purpose o f attending such funeral, but not otherwise.
R E S P O N S IB IL IT Y F O R T IM B E R IN G A N D D E A D W O R K .
Sixteenth, (a) The scale o f prices herein provided shall include, in
ordinary conditions, the w ork required to load coal and properly tim
ber the working places in the mine, and the operator shall be required
to furnish the necessary props and timber in rooms or working face.
And in long wall mines, it shall include the proper mining o f the coal
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
647
and the brushing and care o f the working places and roadway accord
ing to the present method and rules relating thereto, which shall con
tinue unchanged.
(i) I f any miner shall fail to properly timber, shoot and care for his
working place, and such failure has entailed falls o f slate, rock and the
like, the miner whose fault has occasioned such damage, shall repair
the same without compensation, and if such miner fails to repair such
damage he may be discharged.
A n y dispute that may arise as to the responsibility under this clause
shall be adjusted b y the pit committee and mine foreman, and in case
o f their failure to agree shall be taken up fo r settlement under the
thirteenth section o f this agreement.
In cases where the mine manager directs the placing of crossbars
to permanently secure the roadway, then, and in such cases only, the
miner shall be paid at the current price for each crossbar when
properly set.
The above does not contemplate any change from the ordinary method
o f timbering by the miner for his own safety.
CH ECK O FF.
Seventeenth. The operators will recognize the pit committee in the
discharge o f its duties as herein specified, but not otherwise, and agree
to check off union dues, assessments and fines from the miners and mine
laborers, when desired, on proper individual or collective continuous
order, and furnish to the miners’ local representative a statement show
ing separately the total amount o f dues, assessments and fines collected.
W hen such collections are made, card day shall be abolished. In case
any fine is imposed the propriety o f which is questioned, the amount of
such fine shall be withheld by the operator until the question has been
taken up for adjustment and a decision has been reached.
E M E R G E N C Y W O R K A N D O R D IN A R Y R E P A IR S .
Eighteenth. The operators shall have the right in cases o f emergency
work or ordinary repairs to the plant, to employ in connection there
with such men as, in their judgment, are best acquainted with and
suited to the work to be performed, except where men are permanently
employed fo r such work. Blacksmiths and other skilled labor shall
make any necessary repairs to machinery and boilers.
C O N STRU CTIO N A N D E X T E N S IV E R E P A IR S .
Nineteenth. The erection o f head frames, buildings, scales, machin
ery, railroad switches, etc., necessary fo r the completion o f a plant to
hoist coal, all beingin the natureof construction work, are to be excluded
from the j urisdiction o f the United Mine W orkers o f America. Exten
sive repairs to or rebuilding the same class o f work shall also be included
in the same exception. The employees thereon to be excluded as above,
when employed on such work only.
P E N A L T Y F O R A B SE N C E FR O M W O R K .
Twentieth. W hen any employee absents himself from his work for a
period o f two days, unless through sickness or by first having notified
the mine manager and obtained his consent, he may be discharged.
648
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
M A C H IN E D IF F E R E N T IA L .
Twenty-first, (a) Except at the basing point, Danville, the differential
fo r machine mining throughout the State o f Illinois shall be seven cents
per ton less than the pick mining rate. It being understood and
agreed that the machine mining rate shall include the snubbing of
coal either by powder or wedge and sledge, as conditions may war
rant, where chain machine is used; but it is understood that this con
dition shall not apply where two men have and work in one place only
in the same shift, except at the option o f the miner; and it shall also
be optional with the miner which system o f snubbing shall be followed.
The division o f the machine mining rate shall be fixed in joint sub
district meeting,
SH E A R IN G M A C H IN E A N D A IR O R E L E C T R IC D R IL L S .
(5) The established rates on shearing machines and air or electric
drills as now existing, shall remain unchanged during the ensuing two
years.
R U L E S F O R U SE O F CAGE B Y E M P L O Y E E S .
Twenty-second. A ny underground employee not on hand so as to go
down to his work before the hour for commencing work, shall not be
entitled to go below except at the convenience o f the company. W hen
an employee is sick or injured he shall be given a cage at once. W hen
a cage load o f men comes to the bottom o f the shaft who have been
prevented from working by reason o f falls or other things over which
they have no control, they shall be given a cage at once. F or the
accommodation o f individual employees, less man a cage load, w h o.
have been prevented from working as above, a cage shall be run mid
forenoon, noon and mid-afternoon, o f each working day; provided,
however, that the foregoing shall not be permitted to enable men to
leave their work fo r otner than the reasons stated above.
SH A FT S IN K IN G .
Twenty-third. The scale for sinkers shall be two dollars and eightyseven cents, and for shift leaders three dollars and eighteen cents per
day.
The scale fo r top men handling dirt at sinking mines shall be the
same as that o f dumpers in the subdistrict in which the mine is being
sunk.
D E F IN IT IO N O F E IG H T -H O U R D A Y F O R D A Y L A B O R .
Twenty-fourth. A ll classes o f day labor are to work full eight hours,
and the going to and coming from the respective working places is to
be done on the day hand’s own time. A ll company men snail perform
whatever day labor the foreman may direct. A n eight-hour day
means eight hours’ work in the mines at the usual working places,
exclusive o f noontime, fo r all classes o f inside day labor. This shall
be exclusive o f the time required in reaching such working places in
the morning and departing from same at night.
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
649
D R IV E R S — R U L E S TO G O V E R N .
Drivers shall take their mules to and from the stables, and the time
required in so doing shall not include any part o f the day’s labor; their
time beginning when they reach the change at which they receive
empty cars— that is, the parting drivers at the shaft bottom and the
inside drivers at the parting—and ending at the same places; but in no
case shall a driver’s time be docked while he is waiting for such cars
at the points named. The inside drivers, at their option, may either
walk to and from their parting or take with them, without compensa
tion, either loaded or empty cars, to enable them to ride. This pro
vision, however, shall not prevent the inside drivers from bringing to
and taking from the bottom regular trips, if so directed by the oper
ator, provided such work is done within the eight hours.
H A R N E SSIN G A N D U N H A R N E SSIN G M U LE S.
The methods at present existing covering the harnessing, unhar
nessing, feeding and caring fo r the mules, shall be continued through
out the life or this agreement; but in cases where any grievances
exist in respect to the same, they shall be referred to the subdistrict
meetings fo r adjustment.
W hen the stables at which the mules are kept are located on the
surface and the mules are taken in and out o f the mines daily by the
drivers, the question o f additional compensation therefor, if any, is to
be left to the subdistricts affected fo r adjustment at their joint sub
district meetings.
YARDAGE AND D EAD W O RK .
Twenty-fifth. A ll yardage and dead work on which a scale has been
established shall be reduced 5.55 per cent.
O P E R A T O R TO K E E P PLA C E S D R Y AS P R A C T IC A B L E .
Twenty-sixth, (a) The company shall keep the mine in as dry con
dition as practicable by keeping the water off the road and out o f the
working places. W hen a miner has to leave his working place on
account o f water, through the neglect o f the company, they shall
employ said miner doing company work when practicable, and pro
vided that said miner is competent to do such work, or he will be given
another working place until such water is taken out of his place.
W H E R E TR A C K IS L A ID B Y O P E R A T O R .
(i) W here it is an established condition or agreement that the track
shall be laid by the company, and a miner has to leave his working
place on account o f such track not being laid through the neglect o f
the company, it shall employ said miner doing company work when
practicable, provided said miner is competent to do such work, or he
shall be given another place until such time as such track is laid in his
place.
650
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
A M B U L A N C E S, B A N D A G E S, E T C .
Twenty-seventh. The operators shall keep sufficient blankets, oil,
bandages, etc., and provide suitable ambulance or conveyance readily
available at each mine to properly convey injured persons to their
homes after an accident.
EQU AL TU RN .
Twenty-eighth. The operator shall see that an equal turn is offered
each miner, and that he be given a fair chance to obtain the same.
The checkweighman shall keep a turn bulletin fo r the turn-keeper’s
guidance. The drivers shall be subject to whomever the mine man
ager shall designate as turn-keeper in pursuance hereof.
In mines where there is both hand and machine mining, an equal
turn shall mean approximately the same turn to each man in the
machine part o f the mine, and approximately the same turn to each
man doing hand work, but not necessarily the same to each hand miner
as to each man working with the machines.
C O N TR AC T N O T TO B E V O ID E D B Y M IN E R S’ C O N STITU TIO N O R R U L E S .
Twenty-ninth. This contract is in no case to be set aside because o f
any rules o f the U. M. W . o f A . now in force or which may hereafter
be adopted; nor is this contract to be set aside by reason o f any pro
vision in their national, State, or local constitutions.
N O L O C A L D E M A N D S.
There shall be no demands made locally that are not specifically set
forth in this agreement, except as agreed to in joint subdistrict meet
ings held prior to May 1st, 1901. W here no subdistricts exist, local
grievances shall be referred to the United Mine W orkers’ State execu
tive board and the mine owners interested.
U nited M in e W orkers of A merica ,
D istrict No. 12,
H erman C. P erry , President.
W m . E. Sm ith , Vice-President.
W . D . R yan , Secretary-Treasurer.
T he I llinois C oal O perators’ A ssociation,
O. L . G arrison , President.
E. T. B ent , Secretary.
Springfield , I I I ., April h 1904-
RECENT REPORTS OF STATE BUREAUS OF LABOR STATISTICS.
W ISCONSIN.
Tenth Biennial Report o f the Bureau o f Labor and Industrial Statistics,
1900-1901. Halford Erickson, Commissioner, xlvi, 1232 pp.
This report consists o f ten parts, as follow s: Manufacturers5returns
for 1899 and 1900,97 pages; population o f Wisconsin, 1890, 1895, and
1900, 79 pages; sweating in the garment-making trades, and the
consumers’ influence on production, 138 pages; a study o f the popula
tion o f Racine, Richland, and Crawford counties, 50 pages; laws gov
erning State officers, departments, boards, commissions, institutions,
agents, and agencies, 276 pages; women employed in factories, 119 pages;
free employment offices, 89 pages; employment and earnings in whole
sale and retail mercantile establishments and in skilled trades, salaries
o f officials in cities and villages, and labor organizations, 121 pages;
manufacturers’ returns for 1900 and 1901, and the lead and zinc indus
try o f southwestern Wisconsin, 120 pages; factory inspection, 110
pages.
M anufactures. — These statistics are given in two series, one show
ing returns from identical establishments for 1899 and 1900, and the
other from identical establishments fo r 1900 and 1901. F or the first
series the statistics are based upon returns from 1,152 establish
ments, representing 16 industries, and for the second series upon
returns from 1,135 establishments, representing 12 industries. W hile
the returns do not cover all establishments in the State, they include
the greater portion o f them. The follow ing table gives a summary
o f the statistics fo r the two series:
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS OF MANUFACTURES, 1899 AND 1900, AND 1900 AND 1901.
Items.
1899.
46
Industries........................................ .................
1,162
Establishments..................................................
671
Private firm s......................................................
666
C orporations.....................................................
1,084
Partners..............................................................
11,297
Stockholders.....................................................
79,871
Average persons em ployed..............................
Capital invested................................................ $172,179,926
1900.
1900.
46
1,152
567
669
977
15,322
80,159
$179,415,435
42
1,135
540
695
890
16,956
78,632
$180,451,482
$103,600,000
$205,068,157
$32,378,588
$412
272
Value o f goods m ade............ ............................ $193,565,785 $209,942,634
$32,983,769
Total wages paid............................................... $31,515,149
$411.48
$394.68
Average yearly earnings per em ployee..........
280
278
Average days in operation ..............................
1901.
42
1,135
637
598
895
17,909
82,775
$195,686,029
$110,568,000
$219,657,581
$34,863,674
$422
276
a Not reported.
651
652
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
In the table follow ing is shown the number o f males and females
employed in 1899, 1900, and 1901 receiving each specified weekly
earnings:
PERSONS EMPLOYED IN 1899,1900, AND 1901, BY CLASSIFIED WEEKLY EARNINGS.
Classified weekly
earnings.
1899.
1900.
1901.
Male. Female. Total.
Male. Female. Total.
Male. Female. Total.
8,021
2,609
6,976
10,396
11,093
16,352
11,285
9,982
6,665
1,857
9,128
2,362
919
530
274
214
135
33
3
3
17,149
4,971
7,895
10,926
11,367
15,566
11,420
10,015
5,668
1,860
7,202
2,489
5,995
9,975
12,053
15,983
12,079
10,021
5,910
2,030
8,615
2,631
1,182
577
291
237
142
35
2
1
15,817
5,120
7,177
10,552
12,344
16,220
12,221
10,056
6,912
2,031
6,906
2,578
5,717
8,319
10,454
18,031
13,146
10,986
6,759
2,113
9,058
2,783
1,331
653
346
299
181
116
30
2
15,964
5,361
7,048
8,972
10,800
18,330
13,327
11,052
6,789
2,115
T o ta l...................... 83,236 ’ 13,601
96,837
83,737
13,713
97,450
84,959
14,799
99,758
Under 8 5 .........................
85 or under 86.................
88 or under 87.................
87 or under 88.................
88 or under 89.................
89 or under 810...............
810 or under 812..............
812 or under 815..............
815 or under 820..............
820 or oyer........................
Sw eating in the G arment-M aking T rades, etc . — This part of
the report deals with conditions in the garment-making industries of
Milwaukee. The part opens with a general discussion o f the sweat
ing system, explains the conditions to which the term “ sweating” is
applied, and gives a short review o f its history. There is also a dis
cussion o f the housing problem in which some o f the evils o f bad
housing are set forth and possible remedies presented. Conditions of
employment and earnings in Milwaukee, as based upon these investi
gations, are fully set forth and analyzed. The following statement
shows by occupations and classified weekly earnings the number of
employees o f each sex in the garment-making industry, during the last
weeks o f 1900 and the first weeks o f 1901:
EMPLOYEES OF EACH SEX IN THE GARMENT-MAKING INDUSTRY, BY OCCUPATIONS
AND CLASSIFIED WEEKLY EARNINGS.
Occupation and classified w eekly earnings.
Males.
Females.
Total.
COAT AND PANTS MAKERS.
39 or over...............................................................................................
37 or under 39........................................................................................
36 or under 37.......... .............................................................................
Under 36................................................................................................
125
158
165
7
1
19
49
519
126
177
214
526
2
3
73
13
17
18
73
1
1
20
80
4
4
24
81
VEST AND CLOAK MAKERS.
39 or over...............................................................................................
37 or under 39........................................................................................
36 or under 37........................................................................................
Under 36............................................................... .................................
13
15
15
SHIRT, OVERALLS, AND JACKET MAKERS.
39 or over...............................................................................................
37 or under 39........................................................................................
36 or under 37........................................................................................
Under 36.................................................................................................
3
3
4
1
REPOETS OF STATE BUREAUS OF LABOR---- WISCONSIN.
653
O f 79 shops inspected, 26 were located in one-story frame buildings,
13 in one-story frame with basement, 33 in two-story frame buildings,
and the remaining 7 in a better class o f buildings.
A brief history is given o f the National Consumers’ League, organ
ized on M ay 1, 1899, the first and great specific task o f which is to aid
in the abolishment o f the sweat-shop system o f manufacture. A n
account is also given o f the operations o f the State and local leagues
o f Wisconsin.
W omen E mployed in F actories. — This is a study, made in 1901,
o f the conditions under which women are employed in factories and
workshops o f the State. The material fo r the study was obtained
through personal visits, and is presented both in textual and tabular
form.
O f the total o f 769 women coming under this inquiry, 519 were born
in Wisconsin, 86 in other States o f the Union, 98 in Germany, and 36
in other European countries. W eekly earnings were less than $3 for
61 o f the total number, $3 or under $1 fo r 215 o f the women, $1 or
under $5 fo r 216 o f them, $5 or under $6 fo r 115 o f them, and $6 or
upward fo r the remaining 159. The cost o f room and board was under
$2 per week fo r 37 o f the women, $2 or under $3 fo r 250, $3 or under
$1 for 167, and $1 or over fo r 13, the remainder not reporting. Out
o f the total, 113 reported that they were able to save something out
o f their earnings and the remainder that they were not able to save
anything.
F ree E mployment O ffices. — This part o f the report deals with
the work o f the free employment offices in Milwaukee and Superior,
which were established under the provisions o f the law o f 1901. There
is a brief review o f the work o f such offices in other countries and in
other States o f this country. Then follow s an account o f the work
o f the offices in the above-mentioned cities during the first year o f their
existence, showing number o f applications filed, positions filled, etc.
During the year ending June 28,1902, the Milwaukee office reported
that the male applicants fo r employment numbered 3,936, that the
applicants fo r help numbered 3,121, and that 2,671 positions were
filled, while the female applicants fo r employment numbered 673, the
applicants fo r help 866, and 511 positions were filled. During the
same period the Superior office reported 1,077 male applicants fo r
employment, 1,257 applicants fo r help, and 3,916 positions filled,
while the female applicants fo r employment were 316, the applicants
for help 501, and the positions filled 279.
L abor O rganizations. — A historical review o f labor organizations
introduces this part o f the report. In 1901 75 organizations in the
State reported a membership o f 5,330. The hours o f labor per day
654
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOB,
and the average wages per hour were reported fo r 5,001 members as
follows:
HOURS OF WORK PER DAY AND AVERAGE WAGES PER HOUR OF MEMBERS OF LABOR
ORGANIZATIONS, 1901.
Hours o f work per day.
8....................................................................................................
9....................................................................................................
10..................................................................................................
11..................................................................................................
12..................................................................................................
5 to 1 2 ..........................................................................................
8 to 1 3 ..........................................................................................
Number o f
members.
Per cent of
w hole
number.
1,406
727
2,052
61
62
58
645
28.11
14.64
41.03
1.22
1.04
1.16
12.90
Average
wages per
hour.
80.254
.234
.224
.27 A
.184
.35
.27
RECENT FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS.
A U ST R IA .
Die Arbeitseinstellungen und Aussperrungen in Osterreich wdhrend
des Jahres 1901. Herausgegeben vom k. k. Arbeitsstatistischen
Arate im Handelsministerium.
382 pp.
This volume contains the eighth annual report o f the Austrian G ov
ernment on strikes and lockouts. The information, which is com
piled by the Austrian labor bureau, is given in the form o f an analysis
and seven tables showing (1) strikes according to geographical distri
bution, (2) strikes according to industries, (3) general summary o f
strikes, (4) comparative summary o f strikes fo r each o f the years 1894
to 1901, (5) summary o f strikes for all the years 1894 to 1901, (6)
details for each strike in 1901, (7) details for each lockout in 1901.
A n appendix gives a brief review o f industrial and labor conditions
in the leading countries o f the world, statistics o f trade associations in
Austria, a copy o f the by-laws o f the Society for the Insurance o f
Employers against Strikes, and notes concerning the strikes reported
in the preceding pages.
S trikes in 1901.— W hile the number o f strikes in 1901 was slightly
above the average in Austria, there were fewer strikers and establish
ments affected than in any year since complete strike statistics have
been compiled. There were but 157,744 days lost in 1901 on account
o f strikes, which is about one-half the lowest number previously
reported fo r any year.
During the year there were 270 strikes, which affected 719 estab
lishments, and involved 24,870 strikers and 2,846 other employees who
were thrown out o f employment on account o f strikes. The strikers
represented 38.47 per cent o f the total number o f employees in the
establishments affected. The average number o f strikers in each
strike was 92. O f the total strikers, 84.66 per cent were males and
15.34 per cent were females. A fter the strikes 23,054 strikers were
reemployed and 771 new employees took places form erly occupied by
strikers. O f the 270 strikes, 56, or 20.74 per cent, were successful;
655
656
BULLETIN OF THE BUEEAU OF LABOE.
98, or 36.30 per cent, were partly successful, and 116, or 42.96 per
cent, resulted in failure.
The follow ing table shows, by industries, the number o f strikes,
establishments affected, strikers and others thrown out of employment,
etc., during the year 1901:
STRIKES, BY INDUSTRIES, 1901.
Strikers.
Industries.
Estab
Total
lish em ploy
Strikes.
ments.
ees.
Num
ber.
Others
em
Strikers New
Percent thrown
reem ployees
out of
o f total em
after
ploy ployed. strikes.
em ploy ment.
ees.
M ining...................................
Stone, glass, china, and
earthen w a re....................
Metals and m etallic good s..
M achinery and instruments.
W ooden and caoutchouc
g o o d s..................................
Leather, hides, brushes, and
feathers..............................
T extiles..................................
W earing apparel and m illi
nery ...................................
P aper.....................................
Food p rod u cts......................
Hotels, restaurants, e tc .......
Chem ical products...............
B uilding trades....................
Printing and publishing___
Heat, power, and lighting
plants.................................
C om m erce.............................
T ransportation....................
Other industries...................
40
45
19,906
7,496
37.66
345
7,347
64
29
22
15
68
43
15
2,987
2,956
15,208
1,698
1,393
889
56.85
47.12
5.85
90
352
195
1,519
1,180
859
48
66
17
27
49
3,261
2,925
89.70
73
2,760
93
8
28
8
29
229
7,637
202
2,675
88.21
35.03
10
1,357
136
2,261
29
87
28
8
13
1
5
24
11
309
8
65
1
5
24
14
3,045
2,018
559
9
626
4,418
552
1,821
683
336
8
314
3,214
376
59.80
33.85
60.11
88.89
50.16
72.75
68.12
53
44
14
1
21
270
11
1,591
665
202
113
7
120
8
3
10
8
3
3
3
2
3
3
28
2
322
167
365
387
274
64
365
137
85.09
38.32
100.00
35.40
10
252
61
365
72
38
T otal............................
270
719
64,652
24,870
38.47
2,846
23,054
771
311
3,114
359
#
60
The mining industry had the largest number o f strikes and strikers
in 1901. Next in importance with regard to the number of strikers
involved were the groups o f building trades and wooden and caout
chouc goods. Over one-half o f all the strikers in 1901 were engaged
in these three groups o f industries.
In the presentation o f strikes by causes, the cause and not the strike
is taken as the unit, and since several causes frequently operate to
bring about one strike, the number o f causes usually exceeds the num
ber o f strikes. Thus, the 270 strikes o f 1901 were produced by 313
causes.
657
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS---- AUSTRIA.
The follow ing table shows the causes o f the strikes for 1901, by
industries:
CAUSES OF STRIKES, BY INDUSTRIES, 1901.
Industries.
For
For
For
dis
Against For in change
re
charge
reduc crease min
of fore
eth duc
tion o f
of
m en,
of tion
wages. wages. od
of work
pay hours.
men,
m ent.
etc.
M ining...........................
Stone, glass, china, and
earthen w a re............
Metals and m etallic
goods .........................
M achinery and instru
ments .........................
W ooden and caout
chouc goods...............
Leather, hides, brushes,
and feath ers..............
T extiles.........................
W earing apparel and
m illin e ry ...................
P aper............................
Food p rod u cts..............
Hotels, restaurants, etc.
Chem ical products.......
B uilding trades............
Printing and publish
ing ..............................
Heat, power, and light
ing plants...................
C om m erce....................
Transportation..............
Other industries............
Against Against Against
obnox
dis
ox Other
ious
charge obn
ious causes. Total.
treat
of em rules.
m ent. ployees.
2
16
1
3
3
2
16
3
5
1
7
3
1
3
2
4
1
1
5
2
3
1
5
32
1
2
2
1
3
2
1
1
1
1
4
11
30
3
5
1
3
1
2
2
1
1
1
3
2
1
2
37
10
21
1
5
28
2
4
1
8
4
H
3
4
15
6
3
11
3
7
8
2
8
2
16
7
2
1
1
1
4
1
1
3
T otal..................
28
2
1
6
1
10
3
1
1
32
3
2
1
23
1
15
11
1
4
4
3
2
33
313
1
2
1
116
7
46
4
28
44
36
15
A s in previous years, the most frequent causes of strikes were the
demands for increased wages and fo r reduction o f hours, the former
having been one o f the causes o f 37.06 per cent and the latter of 14.70
per cent o f all the strikes.
The follow ing table shows the results o f strikes, by industries:
RESULTS OF STRIKES, BY INDUSTRIES, 1901.
Strikes.
Industries.
M ining................................................
Stone,glass,china,and earthen ware.
Metals and m etallic goods...............
M achinery and instrum ents............
W ooden and caoutchouc goods.......
Leather, hides,brushes,and feathers.
T extiles...............................................
W earing apparel and m illinery.......
P aper..................................................
Food produ cts...................................
Hotels, restaurants, etc......................
Chemical products............................
B uilding trades..................................
Printing and publishing..................
Heat, power, and lighting plants___
Com m erce..........................................
Transportation...................................
Other industries................................
3
7
6
2
8
1
4
6
2
T otal..........................................
56
3674—No. 52—04-----12
Strikers.
Suc
Suc
Suc
Suc ceeded
Failed. Total. ceeded.
Failed. Total.
ceeded. ceeded
partly.
partly.
6
8
1
1
1
13
12
6
5
13
5
10
16
2
4
3
7
2
98
24
10
10
8
6
2
14
6
4
9
1
2
11
3
2
2
2
40
29
22
15
27
8
28
28
8
13
1
5
24
11
3
3
3
2
116
270
554
308
692
192
948
40
391
180
16
1,117
306
178
5
80
5,007
3,458
1,186
257
272
1,661
120
1,066
1,533
162
235
244
1,416
3,484
204
444
425
316
42
1,218
108
505
101
8
70
681
70
96
59
137
7,4%
1,698
1,393
889
2,925
202
2,675
1,821
683
336
8
314
3,214
376
274
64
365
137
7,968
24,870
285
11,895
658
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
O f the total number o f strikes in 1901, 20.74 per cent succeeded,
36.30 per cent succeeded partly, and 42.96 per cent failed. O f the
total number o f strikers 20.13 per cent were engaged in strikes which
succeeded, 47.83 per cent in strikes which succeeded partly, and 32.04
per cent in strikes which failed.
The follow ing table shows the results o f the strikes in 1901, accord
ing to their duration:
RESULTS OF STRIKES, BY DURATION, 1901.
Strikers.
Strikes.
Suc
Suc
Suc ceeded
Suc
Failed. Total.
Failed. Total. ceeded.
ceeded. ceeded
partly.
partly.
Days of duration.
1 to 5....................................................
6 to 10..................................................
11 to 15................................................
16 to 20................................................
21 to 25................................................
26 to 80................................................
31 to 35................................................
36 to 40................................................
41 to 50................................................
51 to 100...............................................
101 or over __
..
..
___
37
9
6
T otal..........................................
56
1
2
1
46
21
7
4
5
5
3
2
2
3
77
14
10
4
5
2
1
1
98
116
160 ’ 3,919
44
620
23
284
8
11
7
7
6
165
3
12
3
5
2
270
5,007
4,802
2,703
1,266
282
348
160
936
940
292
166
6,030
645
549
86
220
284
75
19
60
14,751
3,968
2,099
368
575
444
1,176
959
304
226
11,895
7,968
24,870
Strikes during E ight Y ears. — The following table shows the
number and extent o f the strikes in Austria for the period during
which the ministry o f commerce has published reports on strikes:
STRIKES, BY YEARS, 1894 TO 1901.
Per cent
Estab
o f strik
lish
Strikes.' ments
Strikers.
ers of
Days lost.
total em
affected.
ployees.
Year.
1894..............................................................................
1895..............................................................................
1896..............................................................................
1897..............................................................................
1898..............................................................................
1899..............................................................................
1900..............................................................................
1901..............................................................................
172
209
305
246
255
311
303
270
2,542
874
1,499
851
885
1,330
1,003
719
67,061
28,652
66,234
38,467
39,658
54,763
105,128
24,870
69.47
59.68
65.72
59.03
69.86
60.23
67.29
38.47
795,416
300,348
899,939
368,098
323,619
1,029,937
3,483,963
157,744
The number o f strikes and the number o f strikers fo r each year of
the eight-year period are shown, by industries, in the following two
tables:
STRIKES, BY INDUSTRIES, 1894 TO 1901.
M ining.
Stone,
glass,
china,
and
earthen
ware.
1894..............
1895..............
1896..............
1897..............
1898..............
1899..............
1900..............
1901..............
13
4
11
25
29
26
40
40
22
29
29
27
27
21
19
29
23
37
33
26
26
32
26
22
7
6
14
20
13
24
13
15
23
38
55
27
28
35
34
27
34
29
43
28
28
84
56
28
11
24
42
34
49
33
23
24
39
42
78
59
55
56
92
85
172
209
305
246
255
311
303
270
T o ta l.
188
203
225
112
267
330
240
506
2,071
Year.
Metals M achin W ooden
and
and*
ery and
caout Textiles. Building
m etallic instru
trades.
chouc
goods.
ments.
goods.
Other.
Total.
659
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS---- AUSTRIA,
STRIKERS, BY INDUSTRIES, 1894 TO 1901.
M ining.
Stone,
glass,
china,
and
earthen
ware.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
22,986
626
30,120
3,632
7,046
3,477
78,791
7,496
6,415
9,943
3,217
3,053
4,491
2,112
574
1,698
2,752
3,694
2,973
1,568
991
2,459
1,977
1,393
194
253
2,058
4,689
2,471
1,356
519
889
9,793
2,336
6,972
1,372
1,318
3,198
1,391
2,925
6,317
4,085
9,791
11,275
3,171
30,249
12,010
2,675
14,975
5,361
5,434
4,995
13,961
7,842
4,849
3,214
3,629
2,354
6,669
7,883
6,209
4,070
5,017
4,580
67,061
28,652
66,234
38,467
39,658
54,763
105,128
24,870
T o ta l.
154,174
31,503
17,807
12,429
28,305
79,573
60,631
40,411
424,833
Year.
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
ooden
Metals M achin W and
and
ery and
caout Textiles. Building
m etallic instru
trades.
chouc
goods.
ments.
goods.
Other.
Total.
The causes o f strikes for the eight-year period are shown in the fol
lowing table, the cause and not the strike being made the unit:
CAUSES OF STRIKES, 1894 TO 1901.
Year.
For
Against For in change For re
reduc crease of in meth duction
tion of wages.
od of of hours.
pay
wages.
ment.
For dis
charge Against Against Against
of fore obnox
dis
Other
men,
ious
charge obnox
ious
causes. Total.
work
treat
of em
men,
ment. ployees. rules.
etc.
1894..............
1895..............
1896..............
1897..............
1898..............
1899..............
1900..............
1901..............
23
19
28
26
33
29
26
28
53
89
140
116
124
143
152
116
5
6
8
7
8
5
6
7
19
31
67
47
54
73
69
46
12
22
32
26
29
17
13
28
5
2
5
13
9
5
10
4
34
31
40
32
36
40
36
36
16
8
12
18
20
18
14
15
32
37
34
45
39
40
53
33
199
245
366
330
352
370
379
313
T ota l.
212
933
52
406
179
53
285
121
313
2,554
The follow ing table shows, for both strikes and strikers, during each
year o f the period, the results expressed in percentages:
RESULTS OF STRIKES, 1894 TO 1901.
Strikes.
Year.
Strikers.
Per cent Per cent Per cent
Per cent P ercent Per cent
Number.
suc
succeed
Number.
suc
succeed
ceeded. ed partly. failed.
ceeded. ed partly. failed.
1894...........................
1895...........................
1896...........................
1897...........................
1898...........................
1899...........................
1900...........................
1901...........................
172
209
305
246
255
311
303
270
25.00
26.79
20.98
17.48
18.82
15.43
20.13
20.74
27.91
24.88
36.40
36.99
41.18
45.02
44.89
36.30
47.09
48.33
42.62
45.53
40.00
39.55
34.98
42.96
67,061
28,652
66,234
38,467
39,658
54,763
105,128
24,870
9.15
12.81
4.60
15.69
8.36
10.21
4.65
20.13
37.31
60.69
62.80
47.81
66.46
71.99
85.54
47.83
53.54
26.50
32.60
36.50
25.18
17.80
9.81
32.04
T ota l..............
2,071
20.23
37.71
42.06
424,833
8.87
63.55
27.58
L ockouts. — There were but 3 lockouts reported in 1901, 2 being
due to the observance o f Labor Day (May 1) and 1 to the refusal o f the
660
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
employees to w ork overtime. The follow ing table contains statistics
o f lockouts fo r the period 1894 to 1901:
LOCKOUTS, BY YEARS, 1894 TO 1901.
Lock
outs.
Yea*
1894................................................................................
1895................................................................................
1896..............................................................................
1897................................................................................
1898................................................................................
1899................................................................................
1900................................................................................
1901................................................................................
Per cent
per Persons
Estab Persons ofsons
locked
lish
locked
locked
out and
ments
out.
reem
out of
involved.
total em ployed.
ployees.
8
10
11
17
211
12
2,317
5,445
1,712
51.25
79.62
54.40
2,183
4,589
1,647
5
• 10
3
38
58
3
3,457
4,036
302
60.96
75.81
70.40
3,448
3,703
302
B E LG IU M .
Statistique des Graves en Belgique, 1896-1900.
Ministere de PIndustrie et du Travail.
1908.
Office du Travail,
lxix, 218 pp.
Since 1896 the Belgian labor bureau has published in its monthly
bulletin, Revue du Travail, statistics o f strikes and lockouts in Bel
gium as they occurred from month to month. These statistics for the
years 1896 to 1900 have been compiled and summarized, and appear
in the present report. The report consists o f an analysis, statistical
tables giving the details fo r each strike that occurred during the
period, and summary tables.
During the five-year period from 1896 to 1900 there were 610
strikes reported, affecting 1,519 establishments and 162,687 strikers.
In addition to the strikers, 82,478 other persons were thrown out of
work on account o f 598 strikes, the number not being reported in the
case o f 12 strikes. The smallest number o f strikes and strikers
occurred in 1898, but the follow ing year, 1899, shows the largest num
ber o f strikers during the period. The follow ing table shows the
number o f strikes and strikers each year from 1896 to 1900, by
results:
STRIKES, BY YEARS AND RESULTS, 1896 TO 1900.
Strikers in strikes which—
Strikes w hich—
Year.
Total
strikes.
Suc
Suc
ceeded. ceeded
partly.
Re
Total
m ained
Suc
Suc
ceeded
Failed. indefinite strikers. ceeded.
partly.
or unset
tled.
1,591
1,960
2,379
5,081
5,449
1,372
4,390
1,065
981
4,973
19,912
28,374
9,657
51,809
20,412
329
1,234
1
7
23,204
35,958
13,101
57,931
32,443
19
162,637
16,460
12,781
130,164
3,232
1896....
1897....
1898___
1899*. *.*.*.
1900....
139
130
91
104
146
28
20
13
33
21
21
18
10
12
29
86
85
68
58
89
4
7
T otal.
610
115
90
386
Re
m ained
Failed. indefinite
or unset
tled.
60
1,609
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS---- BELGIUM.
661
It will be observed that during each year the greater number o f
strikes failed. The percentage o f failure is even greater with regard
to the number o f strikers. Thus, fo r the whole period, 18.85 per
cent o f the strikes succeeded, 14.75 per cent succeeded partly, and
63.28 per cent failed, the result not being reported in the case o f 19, or
3.12 per cent, o f the strikes. O f the strikers 10.12 per cent participated
in strike^ which succeeded, 7.86 per cent in strikes which succeeded
partly, 80.03 per cent in strikes which failed, and 1.99 per cent in
strikes the results o f which were not reported.
The follow ing table shows the number o f strikes and strikers, by
results and by industry groups:
STRIKES, BY GROUPS OF INDUSTRIES AND RESULTS, 1896 TO 1900.
Strikes w hich—
Industries.
Strikers in strikes w hich—
Suc
Total
Re
Total Suc ceed
m ained strik
strikes. ceed
ed Fail
ers.
indefinite
ed. part ed. or unset
tled.
ly.
M ining
Ceram ics......................
G lass.............................
Chem icals...................*.
Food products..............
T extiles........................
B uilding and construc
tion w o rk .................
W ood and fu rn itu re...
Hides and leather.......
T obacco...................
Paper.............................
Printing and publish
ing .............................
Art and instruments o f
precision ...................
Transportation............
Other industries..........
T o ta l...................
148
26
76
13
7
31
10
142
27
27
27
16
1
5
1
11
6
116
17
52
5
5
19
7
89
4
1
6
9
2
22
18
7
7
2
2
3
1
28
8
14
5
4
6
4
2
1
12
8
19
10
1
1
1
1
1
1
15
8
2
4
9
18
22
3
10
7
1
2
4
5
6
11
610
115
90
386
3
96,503
4,563
11,157
3,162
973
4,077
628
25,580
Re
Suc
Suc
m ained
ceed ceed
Failed.
indefinite
ed
ed. partly.
or unset
tled.
881
330
2,287
1,270
91,149
3,127
5,361
957
772
1,533
409
18,893
1,074
35
1,701
2,315
131
3,080
3,399
1,071
1,808
935
201
229
88
3,332
3,203
3,280
1,183
703
30
830
1,118
293
291
168
177
67
18
2,165
1,920
816
369
30
40
65
7
25
2,627
2,012
39
566
10
2,226
949
1,793
201
687
734
850
117
282
1,175
145
777
19 162,637 16,460 12,781 130,164
275
3,232
The largest number o f strikes occurred in the mining industry. O f
these 3.49 per cent succeeded, 12.59 per cent succeeded partly, and
81.12 per cent failed, the result not being known in 2.80 per cent of
the mine strikes. O f the total number o f strikers reported during the
five years 96,503, or 59.34 per cent, were in the mining industry. O f
these strikers 0.92 per cent were engaged in strikes which succeeded,
3.52 per cent in strikes which succeeded partly, 94.45 per cent in
strikes which failed, and 1.11 per cent in strikes the results o f which
were not known. The textile industry was next in importance, both
with regard to the number o f strikes and o f strikers involved. In this
industry, likewise, a large proportion o f the strikes were failures.
662
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
The next table shows the number o f strikes by industries and
years:
STRIKES, BY GROUPS OF INDUSTRIES AND YEARS, 1896 TO 1900.
Strikers.
Strikes.
Industries.
1896. 1897. 1898. 1899. 1900.
M ining...................................
Quarrying..............................
M etals.....................................
Ceram ics................................
G lass.......................................
Chem icals..............................
Food prod u cts......................
T ex tiles.................................
B uilding and construction
w o rk ...................................
W ood and furniture..............
Hides and leather.................
T obacco..................................
Paper .....................................
Printing and publish ing___
Art ana instrum ents o f pre
cision ..................................
Transportation......................
Other industries....................
T o ta l.............................
35
3
51
3
11
5
1
1
1
11
2
42
23
8
7
10
2
6
8
20
4
7
7
1
12
2
1
6
28
8
22
5
10
16
4
32
4
4
4
5
7
1
2
2
2
1
3
6
14
4
4
29
7
3
7
3
139
15
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
10,454
340
2,340
399
56
70
4
6,218
27,571
405
1,989
935
5,970
459
1,316
935
45*657
2,307
6,851
1,052
4,402
660
672
204
1,137
893
145
1,554
276
2,561
1,121
144
13,763
125
637
127
405
30
16
429
332
280
145
640
438
316
43
1
2
5
3
8
2
555
1,763
456
73
3
3
4
97
3
2
6
11
146
2
3
4
2
3
9
3
130
91
104
1,901
1,454
110
4
37
588
64
304
858
44
255
130
23,204
35,958
13,101
*86
1,111
1900.
772
550
1,376
201
1,156
168
57,931
32,443
543
947
201
The causes which figured most frequently in strikes during the
period were disputes concerning wages, hours o f labor, working con
ditions, and demands fo r the reinstatement or fo r the discharge o f
employees, nearly nine-tenths o f all the strikes being due to these
causes. The follow ing table shows the causes o f strikes and their
results fo r the five-year period 1896 to 1900:
STRIKES, BY CAUSES AND RESULTS, 1896 TO 1900.
Strikes w hich
Cause or object.
For increase o f w ages. . .
Against reduction of
w ages...........................
Other causes affecting
w ages...........................
For reduction o f hours..
Other causes affecting
hours o f lab or..............
For or against m odifica
tion of conditions o f
w o rk .............................
Against piecew ork .........
Against em ploym ent of
fem ales.........................
For or against m odifica
tion o f shop ru le s.......
Against fin es...................
For discharge o f super
intendents or other
em ployees....................
For reinstatement of
discharged em ployees.
Trade unionism ..............
Other causes....................
T ota l......................
Strikers in strikes w hich—
Re
Suc
Total Suc ceed
m ained Total
strik
strikes. ceed
indefi
ed Failed.
ers.
nite or
ed. part
unset
ly.
tled.
298
68
50
171
30
5
8
17
28
8
4
15
5
1
55
8
7
1
37
5
3
132
11
11
6
2
8
3
5
1
.2
46
10
1
34
71
7
3
7
55
610 a ll5
90
11
19
76,797
732
711
2,164
2,144
3,778
584
171
929
1,219
2,842
314
25
9,234
2,992
721
639
88
7,685
2,904
24,719
1,957
1,351
400
175
451
23,193
1,106
5,460
964
150
4,321
25
7,748
502
2,381
509
1,052
90
1,249
6,077
312
1,123
110
19 162,637 16,460 12,781 130,164
3,232
1
1
1
1
6
3
7
6
12
a 386
1
2
1
1
97,669 11,108
2,688
7,076
3,607
9
4
18
9
Re
Suc
m ained
Suc ceed
indefi
ceed
Failed. nite or
ed
ed. partly.
unset
tled.
170
7
289
189
132
66
34
9
aThe sumof the items does not agree with the total; the figures, however, are reproduced as they
appear in the original.
663
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS---- BELGIUM,
In the next table the strikes are shown by causes and years:
STRIKES, BY CAUSES AND YEARS, 1896 TO 1900.
Strikes.
Cause or object.
Strikers.
1896. 1897. 1898. 1899. 1900.
For increase o f w ages..........
Against reduction o f w ages.
Other causes affecting wages.
For reduction o f hours.........
Other causes affecting hours
o f la b o r ..............................
For or against m odification
o f conditions o f w o rk .......
Against p iecew ork ...............
Against em ploym ent o f fe
m ales...................................
For or against m odification
o f shop rules........................
Against fin es.........................
For discharge o f superin
ten d en ts or other em
ployees ................................
For reinstatement o f dis
charged em ployees............
Trade unionism ....................
Other cau ses.........................
T ota l.............................
66
9
5
1
55
7
7
4
43
5
3
12
2
4
1
3
15
3
1
1
2
10
4
1
3
50
6
8
1
1
10
1
1
1
1
13
8
10
17
17
16
3
5
3
11
8
3
2
139
130
91
104
1
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
84
3
5
5
7,147
1,581
464
189
8,441
780
196
1,155
5,438
561
91
50,549
565
1,150
58
42
12
14
4,338
2,676
1,341
228
219
2,527
60
62
20,185
901
3,987
70
302
63
160
260
88
1900.
26,094
120
243
2,376
809
1
2
2
85
812
4
2,306
509
473
1,580
592
13
7
3,171
1,466
812
6
165
756
1,711
90
419
97
68
588
344
944
146
23,204
35,958
13,101
57,931
32,443
10
111
The strikes during the period were mostly o f short duration, 325 o f
573 strikes fo r which duration was reported having lasted 5 days or
less, and but M over 30 days. O f the latter, 7 lasted longer than 100
days.
The strikes were mostly small, 398, or nearly two-thirds of the total
number, having involved 100 strikers or less each. Nineteen strikes
involved over 1,000 persons each. Thirty-eight per cent of all the
strikers during the 5-year period were engaged in two mine strikes—
one, in 1897, involving 18,946 strikers, and the other, in 1899, involving
42,842 strikers.
The follow ing table shows the strikes during the period according
to method o f settlement and results:
STRIKES, BY METHOD OF SETTLEMENT AND RESULTS, 1896 TO 1900.
Method o f settlem ent.
Strikes w hich—
Strikers in strikes which—
Re
Total
Suc
Total Suc ceed
m ained strik
strikes. ceed
indefi
ed Failed. nite or
ers.
ed. part
unset
ly.
tled.
Re
Suc
mained
Suc ceed
indefi
ceed
Failed. nite or
ed
ed.
unset
partly.
tled.
Direct negotiation be
tween the parties.........
N egotiation between one
party and a trade as
sociation ......................
Negotiation between an
em ployers’ and an em
ployees’ trade associa
tion ................................
Intervention o f councils
of industry and la b or..
A rbitration......................
C onciliation....................
M ethod not reported___
T o ta l......................
505
81
73
339
12
68,113
38
14
6
16
2
7,825
1,892
11
2
3
10,914
4
2,721
2
6
1
28
6
6
1
5
2
3
3
18
2,177
70,687
610
115
90
386
16
2
10
49,112
1,088
572
4,(808
553
3,481
95
7,338
1,872
90
1,816
146
239
610
112
249
68,037
1,591
19 al62,637 al6,460 12,781 130,164
3,232
100
6
7,063 10,850
513
10
aThe sumof the items does not agree with the total; the figures, however, are reproduced as they
appear in the original.
664
BULLETIN- OF THE BUREAU OF LABOE.
Eighty-three per cent o f the strikes were settled by direct negotia
tion between the parties, the strikes resulting mostly in failure. Those
settled in other ways were mostly either successful or partly successful.
The next table shows the method o f settlement o f strikes for each year:
STRIKES, BY METHOD OF SETTLEMENT AND YEARS, 1896 TO 1900.
Strikes.
Method o f settlement.
Direct negotiation between
the p arties.........................
N egotiation between one
garty and a trade associa-
Strikers.
1896. 1897. 1898. 1899. 1900.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900.
I ll
115
75
87
117
15,982
14,643
8,903
9,117
19,468
14
5
8
5
6
2,445
888
805
215
3,472
2
1
2
2
2
2
4
2,417
151
1,443
990
5,913
4
1
615
1,237
100
5
1
4
4
14
418
90
87
1,765
351
i49
19,776
1,335
500
45,762
1,441
2,049
130
91
104
146
23,204
36,958
13,101 057,931
32,443
N egotiation between an em
ployers’ and an em ployees’
trade association...............
Intervention of councils o f
industry and la b or............
A rbitration.............................
C onciliation...........................
M ethod not reported............
4
T ota l.............................
139
1
3
4
5
1
1
10
a The sum of the items does not agree with the total; the figures, however, are reproduced as they
appear in the original.
FRANCE.
Statistique des Greves et des Recours a la Conciliation et a VArbitrage
Survenus Pendant VAnnee 1902. Direction du Travail, Ministere
du Commerce, de PIndustrie, des Postes et des Telegraphes.
482 pp.
xvi,
This is the twelfth o f a series o f annual reports on strikes and con
ciliation and arbitration issued by the French labor bureau. The
information is presented in the same form as that contained in pre
vious reports.
Strikes . — During the year 1902 there were 512 strikes, involving
1,820 establishments, 212,704 strikers, and 9,461 persons thrown out
o f work on account o f strikes. O f the strikers, 162,622 were men,
35,326 were women, and 14,756 were children. The strikes caused a
total loss o f 4,472,477 working days by strikers and 202,604 by other
employees thrown out o f work, or a total o f 4,675,081 working days.
In 1901 there were 523 strikes, in which 111,414 strikers were involved
and 10,147 other employees were affected, causing an aggregate loss
o f 1,862,050 working days. The large number o f strikers and days
lost in 1902 is due to a general strike o f miners in that year, which
alone involved 115,240 strikers and caused a loss o f 3,210,957 work
ing days. The average number o f days lost per striker in 1902
was 22.
665
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS---- FRANCE.
O f the 512 strikes during 1902, 417 involved but 1 establishment
each, 33 involved from 2 to 5 establishments, 23 from 6 to 10 estab
lishments, 27 from 11 to 25 establishments, 9 from 26 to 50 establish
ments, and 1 from 51 to 100 establishments. O f the 2 remaining
strikes, 1 involved 115 and the other 133 establishments. The latter
was the miners5 strike above mentioned.
In 304 strikes all or a part o f the striking employees were organ
ized. The employers were organized in 184 strikes. .Nine working
men’s unions and 1 employers’ association were organized during the
progress o f or immediately follow ing strikes. In 31 strikes regular
aid was given by labor organizations to their striking members.
O f the 512 strikes, 111, involving 23,533 strikers, succeeded; 184
strikes, involving 160,820 strikers, succeeded partly, and 217 strikes,
involving 28,351 strikers, failed.
The two tables following show, by groups o f industries, the number
o f strikes, strikers, and establishments involved, according to the
results o f strikes; also the days o f work lost by all employees and
the number o f strikers per 1,000 working people in each group of
industries:
STRIKES AND ESTABLISHMENTS INVOLVED, BY GROUPS OF INDUSTRIES, 1902.
Succeeded
partly.
Succeeded.
Industries.
Strikes.
Agriculture, forestry, and fish
eries ..........................................
M ining..........................................
Q uarrying...................................
Food prod u cts............................
Chem ical industries...................
Paper and p rin tin g....................
Hides and lea th er......................
T extiles........................................
Clothing, cleaning, e tc...............
W ood w orking.............................
B uilding (w o o d w o rk )..................
Metal refin in g .............................
Metal w orking............................
Precious m etal w ork...................
Stone, earthenware, glass, etc ..
Building (stone, tile, excavat
ing, roofing, etc., w o r k ).........
Transportation and han dlin g...
T otal...................................
2
3
6
3
10
43
3
8
1
5
1
6
13
8
111
Failed.
Total.
Estab
Estab
Estab
Estab
lish Strikes. lish Strikes. lish Strikes. lish
ments.
ments.
ments.
ments.
4
9
31
3
34
61
3
30
1
1
7
2
1
6
1
10
58
5
7
4
3
32
3
21
8
1
5
8
10
9
66
4
8
1
1
139
11
1
6
1
54
113
28
63
3
114
3
8
1
21
37
10
12
146
4
5
15
3
9
20
14
29
167
7
147
12
31
74
14
100
1
320
35
61
69
13
188
3
76
10
6
4
9
35
9
69
12
23
8
5
6
27
7
44
13
72
3
18
39
25
31
10
243
138
19
20
58
167
63
38
340
330
251
184
963
217
606
512
1,820
5
1
666
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
STRIKERS AND DAYS OF WORK LOST BY ALL EMPLOYEES THROWN OUT OF WORK BY
STRIKES IN 1902, BY INDUSTRIES.
Strik '.rs in strikes
w hich—
Strikers Days of
per 1,000 work lost
w
orking by all em
Total
people
ployees
Suc
strikers. in
Suc ceeded
each thrown
ceeded. partly. Failed.
indus
out of
try. («)
work.
Industries.
211
Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries....................
132
118,605
Quarrying..............................................................
146
Food products.......................................................
410
26
Chem ical industries............................................. 15,707
947
Paper and printing...............................................
17
123
1,252
Hides and leather................................................ 1,025
T ex tiles................................................................. 3,413 18,988
822
195
Clothing, cleaning, etc........................................
402
W ood w orking.......................................................
477
Building (w oodw ork)..........................................
278
209
43
M etal refin in g.......................................................
112 5,439
Metal w ork in g ......................................................
4
24
Precious m etal w ork.............................................
467 5,463
Stone, earthenware, glass, etc.............................
B uilding (stone, tile, excavating, roofing, etc.,
w o r k ) ...................... .......................................................
760 3,408
645 4,814
Transportation and h a n d lin g ...................................
0.10
343
404 119,009
172
26
572
1,008
18,252
1,698
299
439
355
2,632
12,292
34,693
226
1,243
336
1,215
80
358
2,583
2,835
1,429
6,980
9
37
382
6,312
'M ining................................................................................
T o ta l............................................................ 23,533 160,820
50.88
16.77
1.81
43.36
2,179
3,274,407
6,239
4,940
124.680
7,101
114,860
502,771
32,818
23,646
6,910
64,904
125.681
366
239,400
764.93
3.09
3.66
172.03
3.63
15.57
54.42
2.85
5.40
(6)
813
6,736
4,981
12,195
ol0.26
19.52
34,102
110,077
28,351
212,704
<*56.14
4,675,081
a Based on the census of 1896.
&Included in building (stone, tile, excavating, roofing, etc., w ork).
c Including building (w oodw ork).
d Based on the total number of industrial working people in France.
O f the 17 groups o f industries above shown, 3, namely, textiles, metal
working, and building (stone, tile, excavating, roofing, etc.), together
furnished over one-half o f the total number o f strikes during the year.
W ith regard to the number o f strikers, however, Over one-half the
total number were in the mining industry. The strikes in this industry
involved over 76 per cent o f the total mining population o f France.
The strike data are shown by causes in the two tables follow ing:
STRIKES, BY CAUSES, 1902.
[A considerable number o f strikes were due to tw o or more causes, and the facts in such cases have
been tabulated under each cause; hence the totals for this table necessarily do not agree w ith
those for the preceding tables.)
Succeeded
partly.
Succeeded.
Cause or object.
For increase of wages.................
Against reduction o f wages.......
For reduction of hours of labor
with present or increased
w ages.......................................
R elating to tim e and m ethod
of payment, etc., of w ages___
For or against m odification o f
conditions o f w ork...................
Against piecew ork......................
For or against m odification of
shop rules.................................
For abolition or reduction of
fin e s..........................................
Against discharge or for rein
statement o f workmen, fore
m en, or d irectors....................
For discharge o f workmen,
forem en, or directors..............
Against em ploym ent o f wom en.
For lim itation o f num ber o f ap
prentices...................................
R elating to deductions from
wages for support o f insuran n n onH
aif\
t n r w la
Other causes................................
Failed.
Total.
Estab
Estab
Estab
Estab
Strikes. lish Strikes. lish Strikes. lish Strikes. lish
ments.
ments.
ments.
ments.
51
34
165
47
97
25
706
78
108
24
306
25
18
166
3
47
17
266
38
479
13
62
9
62
14
169
36
293
4
3
4
5
14
2
66
2
22
13
138
14
40
18
208
8
2
19
3
23
12
12
23
54
2
4
4
9
9
15
15
12
17
6
6
24
24
42
47
9
10
3
1
27
3
28
39
4
41
1
1
1
2
3
18
2
4
14
22
4
4
17
53
2
20
2
2
216
256
83
5
6
35
1,177
150
21
21
21
24
273
667
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS— FRANCE,
STRIKERS AND DAYS OF WORK LOST BY ALL EMPLOYEES THROWN OUT OF WORK BY
STRIKES IN 1902, BY CAUSES.
[A considerable number o f strikes were due to tw o or m ore causes, and the facts in such cases have
been tabulated under each cause; hence the totals for this table necessarily do not agree w ith
those for the preceding tables.]
Strikers in strikes w hich—
Cause or object.
Suc
ceeded.
Suc
ceeded
partly.
Failed.
5,793
2,454
131,327
10,481
9,787
1,357
1,813
8,040
1,554
963
3,705
576
5,626
749
For increase of w ages...............................................
Against reduction o f w ages.....................................
For reduction o f hours o f labor w ith present or
increased wages.....................................................
R elating to tim e and m ethod o f payment, etc.,
o f wages...................................................................
For or against m odification of conditions of w ork.
Against p iecew ork....................................................
For or against m odification of shop ru les..............
For abolition or reduction o f fin es.........................
Against discharge or for reinstatement o f work
m en, forem en, or directors...................................
For discharge o f workmen, forem en, or directors.
Against, em ploym ent of wom en..............................
For lim itation o f num ber o f apprentices...............
R elating to deductions from wages for support o f
insurance and aid fu n d s......................... ............
Other causes..................................................’. .........
Days of
w ork lost
by all em
ployees
Total
strikers. thrown
out of
work.
146,907
14,292
3,695,660
227,783
124,162
134,015
3,545,118
116,185
7,633
813
729
791
118,702
11,559
1,531
6,901
1,650
3,242,890
157,493
9,492
274,232
4,847
3
389
410
140
141
2,532
1,999
141
44
5,677
4,161
281
188
76,603
42,374
5,961
892
895
14,725
1,926
90
117,778
985
134,429
8,454
3,407,476
221
142
546
110
2,656
1,752
A s in previous years the most frequent causes o f strikes were wage
disputes, the demands fo r increased wages and attempts to reduce
wages having figured in about one-half o f all the strikes that occurred
during the year.
The next two tables show, respectively, the results o f strikes, by
duration, and the duration and results o f strikes, by number o f strikers
involved:
STRIKES AND STRIKERS, BY DURATION OF STRIKES, 1902.
Strikes.
Days o f duration.
Strikers.
Suc
Suc
Failed. Total.
ceeded. ceeded
partly.
7 or u n d e r.............................
8to 15.....................................
16 to 30...................................
31 to 100..................................
101or o v e r.............................
83
13
13
102
38
22
20
2
128
46
18
21
313
97
53
43
T otal............................
111
184
217
512
2
4
6
Suc
ceeded.
Suc
ceeded
partly.
Failed.
6,745
2,291
14,300
197
11,294
4,488
18,246
11,509
115,283
6,986
5,164
7,049
8,500
652
25,025
11,943
39,595
20,206
115,935
23,533
160,820
28,351
212,704
Total.
DURATION AND RESULTS OF STRIKES, BY NUMBER OF STRIKERS INVOLVED, 1902#.
Strikes.
Strikers involved.
25 or uhder...........................
26 to 50..................................
51 to 100................................
101to 200..............................
201 to 500..............................
501 to 1,000.............................
1,001or o y er.........................
T ota l...........................
Days o f duration.
Suc
Suc
7 or
Failed. Total. under.
ceeded. ceeded
partly.
24
23
34
20
7
1
2
111
38
41
42
28
19
5
11
184
78
51
46
25
11
2
140
115
122
73
37
8
90
80
75
47
17
4
17
2
2
217
512
313
to
8to 15. 16 to 30. 31
100.
25
18
23
15
12
3
1
97
14
9
12
6
8
2
9
6
12
5
5
7
6
53
43
101or
over.
2
2
1
1
6
668
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Most o f the strikes were small and o f short duration, 313, or 61 per
cent, haying lasted seven days or less, and only 49 oyer thirty days.
F ifty per cent o f the strikes involved less than 50 persons each.
Seventeen strikes involved over 1,000 persons each.
C onciliation and A rbitration . — During the year 1902 recourse
to the law o f December 27, 1892, in regard to the conciliation and
arbitration (a) o f labor disputes, was had in 107 disputes. In 4 cases
recourse was had to the law before entire cessation o f work had
occurred, but strikes were subsequently declared in 2 o f these cases,
leaving 2 instances only where strikes were averted by application o f
the law. Including these 2 cases the number o f disputes in which
the application o f the law was requested in 1902 is equal to 20.89 per
cent o f the number o f strikes that actually occurred during the year.
During the preceding nine-year period such recourse was had in a
number o f disputes, equal to 24.06 per cent o f the total strikes for the
period. Requests fo r the application o f the law during 1902 were
made by employees in 60 disputes, by employers in 5 disputes, and
by employees and employers united in 2 disputes. In the other 40
disputes in which recourse was had to the law, the initiative was
taken by justices o f the peace.
As fo r results it was found that 6 strikes had terminated by agree
ment between employers and employees before committees o f concil
iation were formed. The offer of conciliation was rejected in 42 of
the 101 remaining disputes, the rejection coming from employers in 35
cases, from the employees in 2 cases, and from both employers and
employees in 5 cases. In 5 o f the 42 cases in which conciliation was
rejected the dispute was terminated on the employees withdrawing
their demands or accepting concessions previously offered, while in
the 37 other cases strikes were declared or continued. O f these 37
strikes none succeeded, 14 succeeded partly, and 23 failed.
Committees o f conciliation were constituted fo r the settlement o f
the remaining 59 disputes. Thirty-two o f these disputes were set
tled directly b y such committees, and o f the 27 disputes remaining 2
were settled by arbitration and 2 were settled by the parties them
selves, after having appeared without success before committees o f
concilation. Strikes were declared or continued after the failure o f
conciliation and arbitration in the 23 remaining disputes. O f these
strikes 3 succeeded, 11 succeeded partly, and 9 failed.
«F or the provisions of this law see Bulletin of the Department of Labor, No. 25,
pp. 854-856.
669
FOBEIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS---- FBANCE.
The follow ing is a summary statement in regard to disputes in
which recourse was had to the law concerning conciliation and arbitra
tion during 1902, and for the preceeding nine years, taken collectively:
SUMMARY OF CASES IN WHICH RECOURSE WAS HAD TO THE LAW CONCERNING CON
CILIATION AND ARBITRATION, 1893 TO 1901 AND 1902.
1893 to
1901.
Items.
1902.
Total number o f strikes.................................................................................................
Disputes in w hich recourse was had to the law of 1892.............................................
4,795
a 1,154
512
107
Disputes settled:
Before the creation o f committees of con ciliation ...............................................
After refusal of request for con cilia tion ...............................................................
D irectly by com m ittees of con ciliation .................................................................
By arbitration..........................................................................................................
D irectly by the parties after having had recourse to con cilia tion ....................
77
51
6281
50
6
5
32
22
2
2
Total cases settled through the application o f the la w ...................................
478
47
Strikes resulting or continuing:
After refusal o f request for con cilia tion ................................................................
After failure o f recourse to conciliation 8nd arbitration ...................................
c391
<*280
37
23
Total cases of failure after application o f the la w ...........................................
668
60
a Relates to 1,146 disputes. Prior to 1900 the instances in w hich the application of the law were
requested, and not the disputes themselves, were counted.
6There were hut 278 disputes settled by com m ittees o f conciliation. Three disputes have been
counted tw ice because 2 comm ittees were form ed in each case.
c Including 4 disputes that were submitted to com m ittees of conciliation after strike was declared.
Hence the figures should be 387; but they are given as found in the report.
d Figures here should be 281; those given are, however, according to the original.
The above summary shows that o f 107 disputes considered in 1902,
47 were settled directly or indirectly through the application o f the
law o f 1892, and in the case o f 60 the recourse to the law proved fruit
less. O f the 47 disputes settled 9 were favorable to the demands o f
the employees, 30 resulted in a compromise, and 8 were unfavorable
to the employees. In the 60 disputes which continued after the fail
ure o f attempts at conciliation and arbitration the employees succeeded
in 8, succeeded partly in 25, and failed in 32 cases.
G E R M A N Y.
Streiks und Aussperrungen im Jahre 1902.
Statistischen Amt.
Bearbeitet im Kaiserlichen
300 pp.
This is the fourth annual report on strikes and lockouts published
by the German imperial statistical bureau. The report contains analy
ses and summaries o f the strikes and lockouts in 1902, copies o f
schedules o f inquiry, and tables showing in detail, by locality and by
industry fo r each dispute, the duration, establishments affected, total
number o f employees, strikers, and others thrown out o f employment,
causes, results, manner o f settlement, etc. The data relate to disputes
ending in 1902.
During 1902 there were 1,060 strikes reported, affecting 3,437 estab
lishments. Operations were completely suspended in 849 establish
ments. O f a total o f 131,086 employees in the establishments affected
53,912 participated in the strikes, and 6,272 others were thrown out o f
employment on account o f them.
670
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOR.
The follow ing table shows the results o f the strikes in 1902:
RESULTS OF STRIKES, 1902.
[The colum n headed “ Strikers” shows the maximum number of strikers engaged at any tim e during
strike.]
Result of strikes.
Strikes.
Total per
sons em
Establish ployed
in
ments
establish
affected.
ments
affected.
Strikers.
Others
thrown out
of work.
Succeeded....................................................
Succeeded partly........................................
F ailed ..........................................................
228
235
597
405
1,929
1,103
19,544
47,490
64,052
8,529
22,004
23,379
734
1,904
3,634
T ota l..................................................
1,060
3,437
131,086
53,912
6,272
Fifty-six per cent o f all the strikes in 1902 were complete failures,
although the proportion o f persons participating in unsuccessful
strikes was 43 per cent o f the total number o f strikers. Only about
16 per cent o f the strikers were engaged in successful strikes.
The following table shows, b y principal groups o f industries, the
number and results o f strikes, the number o f establishments and strikers
involved, and the number o f other employees thrown out o f work on
account o f strikes during the year 1902:
SUMMARY OF STRIKES, BY GROUPS OF INDUSTRIES, 1902.
[The colum n headed “ Strikers” shows the m aximum number of strikers at any tim e during strike.]
Strikes which—
Industries.
Gardening, florist, and nursery trades. . . .
M ining, sm elting, salt, and peat extraction.
Stonework and earthenware....................
Metal w ork..................................................
M achinery, tools, and instrum ents..........
Chem icals....................................................
Forestry products, lighting m aterials, and
varnishes..................................................
T ex tiles.......................................................
Paper............................................................
L eath er.......................................................
W ooden ware and carved g o o d s..............
Food products.............................................
Clothing and clean in g..............................
B uilding trades..........................................
Printing and pu blish in g...........................
Painting, sculpture, decoration, and artistic
w o rk .........................................................
Commercial em ploym ent.........................
Transportation............................................
Other industries..........................................
T o ta l..................................................
Total
strikes.
1
68
68
48
1
2
101
4
20
14
135
35
60
467
7
3
9
16
1
1,060
Other
em
Estab Strik ployees
lish
Suc
Suc ceeded
ers. thrown
Failed.
ments.
ceeded. partly.
out of
work.
X
1
13
14
10
1
22
3
20
5
23
105
2
1
2
4
20
22
9
28
1
6
28
7
20
85
9
35
32
29
1
1
51
3
5
16
94
258
58
1
2
117
8
11
161
218
57
409
1,997
7
2
87
23
17
277
5
31
2,572
2,185
2,761
2,516
16
50
7,569
35
611
3,544
1,128
2,070
27,330
279
254
677
445
67
322
i
74
198
17
4,175
3
5
2
4
9
3
9
16
1
17
520
665
13
39
228
235
597
3,437
53,912
6,272
3
1
The group o f building trades, as in previous years, had the largest
number o f strikes, strikers, and establishments affected, over one-half
o f all the strikers during 1902 being persons engaged in this industry.
The building-trades strikes were mostly failures. Next in importance
with regard to the number o f persons involved are the groups o f tex
tiles and o f wooden ware and carved goods. Seventy-one per cent o f
all the strikers belonged to these three groups.
The next two tables show, respectively, the results o f strikes accord
ing to their duration and according to the number o f strikers involved.
671
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS— GERMANY.
SUMMARY OF STRIKES, BY DURATION, 1902.
[The colum n headed “ Strikers” shows the maximum number o f strikers at any tim e during strike.]
Strikes w hich—
Days o f duration.
Less than 1 ................................
1to 5 ..........................................
6to 1 0 ........................................
11to 2 0 .......................................
21 to 3 0 .......................................
31 to 5 0 .......................................
51 to 100.....................................
101or over..................................
T ota l................................
Total
strikes.
lit
391
172
117
75
101
65
28
1,060
Suc
ceeded.
35
111
41
28
7
4
2
228
Suc
ceeded
partly.
Failed.
11
65
199
87
55
46
75
49
81
44
34
22
22
14
7
21
597
235
Estab
lish
ments.
Strikers.
Other em
ployees
thrown
out of
work.
114
579
360
482
718
650
283
251
3,600
16,921
7,693
3,758
6,414
8,522
3,778
3,226
537
2,455
367
477
361
1,722
133
3,437
53,912
6,272
220
SUMMARY OF STRIKES, BY NUMBER OF STRIKERS INVOLVED, 1902.
[The colum n headed “ Strikers ” shows the maximum number o f strikers at any tim e during strike.]
Strikes w hich—
Strikers involved.
2 t o 5 ..........................................
6to 10........................................
11to 2 0 ......................................
21 to 3 0 ......................................
31 to 5 0 .......................................
61 to 100.....................................
101to 200...................................
201 to 500...................................
501 or over..................................
T ota l................................
Total
strikes.
102
Suc
ceeded.
30
25
46
55
31
29
24
14
4
1,060
228
196
241
142
145
128
66
10
Suc
ceeded
partly.
11
Failed.
66
Estab
lish
ments.
25
29
32
43
49
24
15
7
125
157
79
73
55
28
3
113
235
298
206
399
336
578
515
757
235
597
3,437
11
Strikers.
Otheremployees
thrown
out of
work.
400
1,537
3,719
3,547
5,684
9,329
9,273
9,653
10,770
167
566
493
1,190
586
858
480
854
1,078
53,912
6,272
The follow ing table shows the causes and results o f strikes in 1902,
the cause and not the strike being taken as the unit:
STRIKES, BY CAUSES, 1902.
[A considerable number of strikes were due to two or more causes, and the facts in such cases have
been tabulated under each cause; hence the totals for this table necessarily do not agree w ith those
for the preceding tables.]
Strikes w hich—
Cause or object.
Against reduction o f w ages........................................................
For increase of w ages..................................................................
For extra rate for overtim e....................................................... .
For extra pay for secondary w o rk .............................................
Other causes affecting wages..................................................... .
Against increase o f h ou rs.......................................................... .
For reduction o f hours................................................................
For abolition or lim itation o f overtim e w o rk ......................... .
For reduction o f hours on Saturday...........................................
For regular h ou rs.........................................................................
Other causes affecting hours o f labor........................................
For change in m ethod o f paym ent........................................... .
Against cnange in m ethod o f paym ent................................... .
For reinstatement o f discharged em ployees..............................
For discharge or against em ploym ent of certain persons........
For discharge o f forem en, e tc .....................................................
Against being com pelled to work on h olidays.........................
For better sanitary conditions, e tc........................................... .
Against use o f m aterial from establishment in w hich strike
was p en d in g ..............................................................................
For better treatm ent, ..................................................................
For recognition o f com m ittee o f em ployees..............................
For adoption, retention, or change o f wage scale....................
Other cau ses.................................................................................
Total
strikes.
131
532
33
34
66
10
160
13
21
9
9
37
17
141
48
14
8
24
22
16
34
89
114
Suc
ceeded.
25
106
4
5
16
1
36
1
1
1
6
2
20
6
1
6
6
6
23
27
Suc
ceeded
partly.
Failed.
29
155
15
77
271
14
17
28
40
9
13
5
3
84
3
7
4
5
23
12
22
1
8
5
22
3
3
4
10
4
23
32
44
8
10
99
39
10
4
8
16
6
11
34
43
672
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
G R E A T B R ITA IN .
Report on Strikes and Lockouts in the United Kingdom in 190%, and
on Conciliation and Arbitration Boards. 1903. 182 pp. (Pub
lished by the Labor Department o f the British Board o f Trade.)
The report on strikes and lockouts in the United Kingdom, prepared
by the labor department o f the board o f trade, is the fifteenth issued
since the commencement o f the series in 1888. The report shows in
detail fo r each dispute, beginning in 1902, the locality, the number o f
establishments involved, the number and occupations o f working peo
ple thrown out o f work, the cause or object o f the dispute, the date o f
beginning and ending, and the result; also statements o f the work
o f boards o f conciliation and arbitration and o f certain agreements
and awards terminating trade disputes. The tables giving details are
preceded b y summary tables, by tables presenting comparative data
for the years 1898 to 1902, and by an analysis o f the statistics o f strikes
and lockouts and o f conciliation and arbitration. The general method
o f inquiry and the plan o f presentation are the same as for the past
few years. Disputes involving fewer than 10 employees (and those
which lasted less than one day) have been omitted from the tabulations,
except when the aggregate duration exceeded 100 working days.
S trikes and L ookouts in 1902.— The number o f labor disputes
arising in 1902 was less than in any o f the preceding four years (1898
to 1901), but the number o f working people directly and indirectly
affected was greater than in any o f those years. The aggregate days
o f duration was less than in 1901, but greater than in 1900 and 1899.
During 1902 there were 442 strikes and lockouts, involving 116,824
employees directly and 139,843 indirectly, or throwing out o f work a
total o f 256,667 working people and resulting in an aggregate loss of
3,479,255 working days.
The follow ing tables show the number o f strikes and lockouts and
the number o f employees involved in 1902, classified according to the
principal causes and the results:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, BY CAUSES AND RESULTS, AND WORKING DAYS LOST, 1902.
[“ Aggregate working days lost by all em ployees thrown out of w ork” includes the aggregate dura
tion in 1902 o f disputes beginning in previous years and excludes the duration in 1903 o f disputes
beginning in 1902.]
Strikes and lockouts the results
of w hich were—
Principal cause or object.
Aggregate
working
Total days
strikes by alllost
em
Indefi
and
In favor In favor Com nite or lock
ployees
pro unset outs.
o f em o f em
thrown
ployees. ployers. m ised. tled.
out of
work.
W ages.....................................................................
Hours o f labor.......................................................
Employment o f particular classes or persons...
W orking arrangements, rules, and d iscip lin e...
Trade unionism ....................................................
Sympathetic disputes..........................................
Other cau ses.........................................................
53
5
14
17
18
T ota l............................................................
107
128
10
30
23
8
1
2
202
80
5
13
23
1
1
123
6
1
1
2
267
3
2,673,183
104,101
169,810
348,389
170,409
1,042
12,321
10
442
3,479,255
20
58
64
29
1
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS---- GREAT BRITAIN.
673
STRIKERS AND EMPLOYEES LOCKED OUT, BY CAUSES AND RESULTS, 1902.
Strikers and em ployees locked out
in disputes the results of w hich
were—
Principal cause or object.
Total
Other
strikers em ploy
and em
ees
Indefi ployees thrown
In favor In favor Compro nite
or
lock
ed
out
of
of em o f em
work.
out.
ployees. ployers. mised. unset
tled.
W ages...................................................................
Hours o f la b o r.....................................................
Employment o f particular classes or persons ..
W orking arrangements, rules, and disciplin e..
Trade unionism ....................................................
Sympathetic disputes..........................................
Other causes.........................................................
5,525
438
5,523
3,212
22,219
18,749
2,328
4,129
6,967
3,149
14
179
30,282
278
1,384
9,610
T otal............................................................
36,917
35,515
41,645
11
2,177
400
60
56,733
3,044
11,436
19,849
25,489
14
259
117,859
6,340
6,243
8,382
1,019
2,747
116,824
139,843
110
80
A s in previous years, the disputes in 1902 related mostly to wages,
267 out o f a total o f 442 strikes and lockouts, or 60.4 per cent, result
ing from this cause. O f the total o f 116,824 strikers and employees
locked out in disputes from all causes, 56,733, or 48.6 per cent, were
involved in wage disputes. Hours of labor was the cause o f but 20
disputes, or 4.5 per cent o f the total, and directly affected but 3,044
working people. In 29 disputes, or 6.6 per cent of the total, trade
unionism was the cause, and directly affected 25,489, or 21.8 per cent,
o f the working people.
.O f the 442 disputes, 107, or 24.2 per cent, resulted in favor of the
employees, 202, or 45.7 per cent, in favor o f the employers, 123, or
27.8 per cent, were compromised, and 10, or 2.3 per cent, remained
indefinite or unsettled. O f the 116,824 strikers and employees locked
out, 36,917, or 31.6 per cent, were engaged in disputes which resulted
in favor o f employees; 35,515, or 30.4 per cent, in disputes which
resulted in favor o f employers; 41,645, or 35.7 per cent, in disputes
which were compromised, and 2,747, or 2.3 per cent, in disputes which
remained indefinite or unsettled at the close o f the year. Employees
involved in disputes relating to wages and hours of labor were mostly
unsuccessful, while in disputes relating to trade unionism they were
mostly successful.
8674— No. 52—04-----13
674
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
In 1902, as in previous years, a large proportion o f disputes affected
comparatively few working people. This is brought out in the fol
lowing table:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, BY GROUPS OF EMPLOYEES THROWN OUT OF WORK, 1902.
[“ Aggregate working days lost by all em ployees thrown out of w ork” includes the aggregate dura
tion o f disputes beginning in 1902 and embraces w orking days lost in 1903 in disputes extending
beyond 1902.]
Groups of em ployees thrown out of work.
Strikes
and
lock
outs.
Employees
thrown out of
work.
Number.
Per
cent.
Number.
46.7
5.0
18.9
940,913
535,926
842,670
263,935
385,501
377,677
154,727
53,702
18,839
26.3
15.0
23.6
7.4
3,573,890
100.0
5,000 or o v er........................................................................
2,500 or under 5,000............................................................
1,000 or under 2,500............................................................
500 or under 1,000...............................................................
250 or under 500 .................................................................
100 or under 250 .................................................................
50 or under 100...................................................................
26 or under 6 0 ....................................................................
Under 2 5 .............................................................................
3
4
35
43
61
93
84
119,872
12,957
48,568
30,405
21,179
14,610
6,050
51
816
8.3
5.7
2.4
.9
.3
T o ta l.........................................................................
442
256,667
100.0
68
Aggregate work
ing days lost by
all em ployees
thrown out of
work.
11.8
2,210
Per
cent.
10.8
10.6
4.3
1.5
.5
From the above table it is seen that out o f 442 disputes, 203, or 45.9
per cent, involved less than 100 employees each, or only 3.6 per cent
o f all the employees thrown out o f work and 6.3 per cent o f the time
lost in all the disputes o f the year. On the other hand, the 7 largest
disputes involved 132,829, or 51.7 per cent, o f the employees thrown
out o f w ork and 41.3 per cent o f the time lost in all the disputes of
the year.
The tables follow ing show the extent to which each o f the various
groups o f industries was involved in the strikes and lockouts o f 1902,
and the results o f the dispute in each case:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, BY INDUSTRIES AND RESULTS, AND WORKING DAYS LOST, 1902.
[“ Aggregate w orking days lost by all em ployees thrown out of w ork” includes the aggregate dura
tion in 1902 of disputes beginning in previous years and excludes the duration in 1903 o f disputes
beginning in 1902.]
Strikes and lockouts the results of
w hich were—
Industries.
In favor In favor Compro
of em
o f em
ployees. ployers. mised.
6
B uilding trades ......................................
M ining and qu arryin g...........................
M etal, engineering, and shipbuilding..
T e x tile ......................................................
Clothing....................................................
Transportation........................................
M iscellaneous..........................................
Employees o f public authorities............
20
40
11
15
10
3
7
2
1
9
26
3
T ota l...............................................
107
202
13
63
33
49
6
Indefi
nite or
unset
tled.
59
25
17
7
6
2
1
7
1
123
10
Total
strikes
and
lockouts.
Aggregate
working
days lost
by all
em ployees
thrown out
o f work.
39
168
71
82
23
14
41
4
115 860
2,55M47
420,362
238,380
54,044
10,027
84,133
6,402
442
3,479,255
675
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS---- GREAT BRITAIN.
STRIKERS AND EMPLOYEES LOCKED OUT, BY INDUSTRIES AND RESULTS, 1902.
Strikers and em ployees locked out in
disputes the results o f w hich were—
Total
strikers
and em
In favor In favor Compro Indefinite ployees
or un
o f em
o f em
locked
mised.
ployees. ployers.
settled.
out.
Industries.
B uilding trades.......................................
M ining and qu arryin g...........................
Metal, engineering, and shipbuilding..
T ex tile .....................................................
Clothing....................................................
Transportation........................................
M iscellaneous..........................................
Employees o f public authorities............
1,936
30,212
747
1,858
563
453
327
821
1,832
20,726
3,682
4,589
T ota l...............................................
36,917
35,515
1,211
734
1,536
1,205
1,061
32,259
4,835
2,010
482
148
850
41,645
2,320
366.
29
82
2,747
Other
em ploy
ees
thrown
out of
work.
4,829
85,517
9,630
8,486
2,256
1,335
2,745
2,026
527
123,009
6,284
116,824
.139,843
8,220
534
255
934
80
The mining and quarrying industry shows the largest number o f
disputes, working people involved, and working days lost. The
largest measure o f success on the part o f employees seems tb have
been attained by those involved in disputes in the building trades and
in the mining and quarrying industry.
Strikes and L ockouts D uring F iv e Y ears. — During the 5-year
period 1898 to 1902 there was a yearly average o f 632.4 disputes, in
which there was affected an average o f 211,775 working people. The
follow ing table presents some o f the principal statistics o f strikes and
lockouts fo r each year from 1898 to 1902:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, EMPLOYEES THROWN OUT OF WORK, AND WORKING DAYS
LOST, 1898 TO 1902.
1“ Aggregate w orking days lost by all em ployees thrown out o f w ork” includes the aggregate dura
tion in each year of disputes beginning in previous years.]
Aggregate
Strikers Otherem- Total em working
Strikes and em ployees ployees days lost
and lock ployees thrown thrown by all em
outs.
lock ed
out of
out of
ployees
work.
work. thrown out
out.
of work.
Year.
711
719
648
642
442
1898.............................................................................
1899.............................................................................
1900.............................................................................
1901.............................................................................
200,769
138,058
135,145
111,437
116,824
53,138
42,159
53,393
68,109
139,843
253,907
180,217
188,538
179,546
256,667
15,289,478
2,516,416
3,152,694
4,142,287
3,479,255
The following table shows the number o f strikes and lockouts and
the employees thrown out o f work during each year from 1898 to
1902, by industries:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, AND EMPLOYEES THROWN OUT OF WORK, BY INDUSTRIES,
1898 TO 1902.
Strikes and lockouts.
Industries.
Building trades......................
M ining and quarrying..........
Metal, engineering, and ship
building ..... ........................
T extile.....................................
C lothing..................................
T ransportation......................
M iscellaneous.......................
Em ployees of public au
thorities ..............................
183
129
180
109
146
136
152
99
53
140
124
37
47
71
111
6
11
11
5
Total..............................
711
719
648
642
Employees thrown out of work.
1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902.
22
67
96
38
50
60
104
210
103
96
39
20
65
1898.
1899.
1900.
1901.
1902.
89 16,684
168 177,029
30,524
46,831
9,797
19,178
74,364 112,981
5,356
208,526
71
82
23
14
41
21,432
24,978
3,561
3,478
6,261
21,119
61,499
2,258
12,611
4,212
19,810
24,143
2,154
23,026
24,968
22,489
16,609
4,135
2,682
10,489
15,914
16,706
2,790
1,590
3,679
4
484
1,163
895
364
2,106
442 253,907 180,217 188,538 179,546
256,667
676
BULLETIN OF THE BUKEAU OF LABOR.
The above table shows that in each year, except 1899, the mining
and quarrying industry had the largest number o f employees involved
in disputes. In 1899 the great dispute o f the year was in the jute
industry. Probably the most noteworthy point shown in the table is
the decrease in 1901 and in 1902 in the number o f persons affected by
disputes in the building trades.
The follow ing table shows the principal causes o f strikes and lock
outs and the number o f disputes and employees directly involved in
each cause from 1898 to 1902:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, AND STRIKERS AND EMPLOYEES LOCKED OUT, BY PRINCIPAL
CAUSES, 1898 TO 1902.
Strikes and lockouts.
Strikers and em ployees locked out.
Principal cause or object.
1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902.
1898.
1899.
1900.
1901.
94,651
3,857
82,903
718
58,865
4,198
56,733
3,044
1902.
W ages.....................................
Hours o f la b o r........................
Employment o f particular
classes or persons...............
W orking arrangements,rules,
and d iscip lin e....................
Trade unionism ......................
Sympathetic disputes............
Other causes...........................
449
19
460
17
438
6
402
29
87
102
68
93
84
58
9,203
8,187
10,427
10,524
11,436
8
46
24
79
38
64
29
3
2
57
45
5
4
11,742
2,215
345
95
17,895
5,130
8,233
105
18,956
19,573
1,018
1,550
23,185
11,531
1,890
1,244
19,849
25,489
14
259
Total..............................
711
719
648
642
442 200,769 138,058 135,145 111,437
116,824
94
51
6
4
267 176,392
20
777
1
3
During this 5-year period, 1898 to 1902, 63.76 per cent o f all the
strikes and lockouts related to wages. Next in the order of impor.
tance were disputes relating to the employment o f particular classes
or persons, to working arrangements, rules, and discipline, to trade
unionism, and to hours o f labor.
The follow ing table shows the number o f strikes and lockouts and
the strikers and employees locked out each year during the 5-year
period 1898 to 1902, classified according to results:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, AND STRIKERS AND EMPLOYEES LOCKED OUT, BY RESULTS,
1898 TO 1902.
Strikes and lockouts.
Result.
Strikers and em ployees locked out.
1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902.
1898.
1899.
1900.
1901.
45,490
36,808
60,275
40,237
738
40,612
33,497
56,390
4,646
1902.
In favor o f em ployees..........
In favor o f em ployers............
Com prom ised.........................
Indefinite or unsettled..........
238
227
243
3
230
245
236
202
211
221
14
163
280
192
7
202 120,667
123 34,501
m
10
30,591
37,675
40,955
2,216
36,917
35,515
41,645
2,747
Total..............................
711
719
648
642
442 200,769 138,058 135,145 111,437
116,824
8
107
O f the 3,162 disputes reported during the 5-year period, 940, or
29.7 per cent, resulted in favor o f employees; 1,165, or 36.9 per cent,
resulted in favor o f employers; 1,015, or 32.1 per cent, were compro
mised, and 42, or 1.3 per cent, remained indefinite or unsettled. O f
702,233 strikers and employees locked out during the period, 190,418,
or 27.1 per cent, were engaged in disputes resulting in favor o f
employees; 287,629, or 41.0 per cent, in disputes resulting in favor o f
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS---- GREAT BRITAIN.
677
employers; 213,728, or 30.4 per cent, in disputes which were com pro
mised, and 10,458, or 1.5 per cent, in disputes which remained indefi
nite or unsettled.
In the table following the disputes beginning in each o f the years
1898 to 1902 and the employees thrown out o f work are classified
according to the various methods o f settlement:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, AND EMPLOYEES THROWN OUT OF WORK, BY METHOD OF
SETTLEMENT, 1898 TO 1902.
Strikes and lockouts.
M ethod o f settlem ent.
A rbitration.............................
C on ciliation ...........................
D irect arrangement or nego
tiation between the parties
or their representatives___
Submission of em ployees___
Replacem ent o f em ployees..
Closing o f w orks....................
Indefinite or unsettled..........
T otal..............................
Employees thrown out o f work.
1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902.
1898.
1899.
1900.
1901.
3,350
16,167
3,319
8,386
7,118
8,593
8,349
8,465
4,481
7,129
1902.
16
19
13
23
18
562
6
22
88
3
6
487
45
71
4
9
456
45
89
5
6
316 206,926 156,743 155,025 143,470
7,054
40 17,590
8,895
9,362
47
9,616
6,415
3,980
4,918
3
95
1,288
300
7
258
640 3,689
2,197
222,547
16,570
3,188
230
2,522
711
719
648
642
442 253,907 180,217 188,538 179,546
256,667
13
30
495
71
96
22
16
13
The great majority o f the strikes and lockouts were settled by direct
negotiation between the parties concerned or their representatives.
O f the total*of 442 disputes in 1902, not fewer than 316, or 71.5 per
cent, were so settled, and these embraced 222,547, or 86.7 per cent,
o f all the persons involved. The number o f disputes settled by arbi
tration and by conciliation in 1902 and the number o f persons involved
under each method show a decrease from the figures o f the previous
year.
DECISIONS OE COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
[This subject, begun in Bulletin No. 2, has been continued in successive issues.
A ll material parts of the decisions are reproduced in the words of the courts, indi
cated when short b y quotation marks, and when long by being printed solid. In
order to save space, matter needed simply b y way of explanation is given in the
words of the editorial reviser.]
DECISIONS U N D ER ST A T U T O R Y L A W .
E ight -H our L aw — H ours of L abor of M in e E mployees— Con
Statute —State v. Ccmtwell et al., Supreme Court
stitutionality of
o f Missouri, 78 Southwestern Reporter)page 569.—This case came to the
supreme court on appeal from the circuit court o f Madison County, in
which Henry J. Cantwell and others were convicted o f the violation
o f a statute regulating the hours o f employment in mines. The judg
ment o f the court below was affirmed. The law in question was
enacted March 23, 1901 (secs. 8793, 8794, Rev. Stat.), and forbids
the employment o f persons engaged in mining operations for longer
than eight hours in a day o f twenty-four hours, and provides a pen
alty. From the remarks o f Judge F ox sustaining the constitution
ality o f this law the follow ing is quoted:
Our first inquiry must necessarily be as to the power o f the legis
lature to enact a reasonable police regulation which secures the health
and safety o f the employees. This court has indicated, in no doubtful
expressions, its views upon this subject. In State v. Loomis, 115 M o.,
loc. cit., 315; 22 S. W ., 350; 21 L . R. A ., 789, Black, J ., in speaking
fo r the court, unqualifiedly announced this rule: “ There can be no
doubt but the legislature may regulate the business o f mining and
manufacturing, so as to secure the health and safety o f the employees,
but that is not the scope o f the two sections o f the statute now in
uestion.” W hile that case did not present the question before us, it
id involve, in a general way, the pow er o f the legislature to enact
laws regulating the business o f mining.
It is insisted that this act makes a distinction between those working
underground in search o f minerals and those working underground
not in search o f minerals. This act only applies to the class searching
for minerals. A s to that class, it makes no distinction. The legisla
ture doubtless realized the necessity o f the provisions o f this act being
made applicable to those in searcn o f minerals. The operation of
mines is a permanent business, lasting frequently for many years.
On the other hand, the digging o f a well or the running o f a tunnel is
678
Q
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
679
not to be classed as a business. It is work that is completed in a com
paratively short time. Hence there was absolutely no reason or neces
sity for including in the act those who might, in the construction o f
railroads or other work, incidentally be required to work beneath the
surface o f the earth.
The crucial test as to the validity o f this act is narrowed down to
the simple question, is the business o f operating mines and searching
fo r minerals beneath the surface o f the earth, in this State, o f that
character which would reasonably justify the lawmaking power in
distinguishing this class in such business, for the purposes o f preserva
tion o f the health and safety o f the employees engaged in such work?
This court, in no uncertain terms, has indicated its views as to the
situation and condition o f miners in the performance o f labor beneath
the surface o f the earth. In sustaining the validity o f the law which
provided fo r the recovery by the widow and children o f a miner killed
by the negligence o f his employer a greater amount o f damages than
is provided for under the general damage act, Burgess, J ., in Hamman v. Cen. Coal & Coke Co., 156 M o., loc. cit. 241; 56 S. W . 1093,
very tersely and clearly announced the views of this court on that
subject. Me said: “ It is o f common knowledge that no class o f
laborers are so much exposed to danger as miners, and that none, in
proportion to the number engaged, meet with so many fatal disasters;
and the legislature, doubtless fo r that reason, in order to protect
human life, and to prevent such occurrences as far as possible,
thought that the necessity fo r increasing the maximum amount o f
damages over that fixed by law in other cases existed, in order to
stimulate operators o f such mines to all needful and proper precau
tions for their protection. M oreover, 6class legislation is not neces
sarily obnoxious to the constitution. It is a settled construction o f
similar constitutional provisions that a legislative act which applies to
and embraces all persons “ who are or who may come into like situa
tions and circumstances” is not partial.5” (Humes v. Railroad, 82
M o., loc. cit., 231.)
The proposition is not disputed that legislation for the promotion o f
public health must have a reasonable relation to the end to be accomdished. I f the act is a mere pretense, under the guise o f police reguation, to invade the constitutional rights o f the citizen, it can not and
should not be upheld. But that is not this case. The legislature o f Mis
souri presumably had before them the conditions surrounding the prose
cution o f the work in the mining industries o f this State— the rapid and
unparalleled development o f that industry, the immense amount of
labor required to perform the work, the nature and character o f the
underground work, the depth o f the mineral shafts, and the danger to
the health o f the employees by reason o f being confined beneath the
surface o f the earth. In view o f this situation, we have reached the
conclusion that the lawmakers o f Missouri, fully recognizing the duty
o f the State to its citizens, were reasonably justified in recognizing
the necessity fo r additional precautions in the preservation o f the
health and safety o f those in the performance o f work beneath the
surface o f the earth in search o f minerals or other valuable substances.
There is but one remaining question. Defendants sought to introduce
testimony o f expert witnesses tending to show that the underground
work contemplated by this act o f the legislature was not attended with
f
680
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
danger to the health o f those engaged in the performance of such
work. This testimony was excluded by the court, and, in our opinion,
correctly so. The validity o f laws enacted in the exercise o f the police
power o f the State can not be made dependent upon the views o f
experts as to the necessity o f such enactment. I f the constitutionality
o f all laws enacted for the promotion o f public health and safety can
be assailed in this manner, truty and sadly would it be declared that
our laws rest upon a very weak and unstable foundation.
E mployers5 L iability — A ssumption
of
R isk — E ffect
of
Stat
ute — St.
Louis Cordage Company v. Miller, United States Circuit
Court o f Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 126 Federal Reporter, page 1$5.—
Mary Miller had obtained a judgment fo r damages in the circuit court
o f the United States fo r the eastern district o f Missouri for injuries
received while in the employment of the St. Louis Cordage Company,
and from this judgment an appeal was taken. It appeared from the
evidence that Miss Miller was 20 years o f age, and had worked in
factories for many months, having been employed in the factory of
the cordage company for about eight months. She ordinarily tended
a feeding machine, but had frequently operated a forming machine
fo r ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and had done so daily for about
six weeks prior to the time o f the accident. This form ing machine
was controlled by means o f a lever, which was pulled forward to start
the machine and pushed back to stop it, and when pushed back was
about 5 or 6 inches from engaging cogs. This cog gearing had been
covered from the time o f Miss M iller’s first employment in July until
December 25, 1901, after which time it had remained uncovered, of
which fact she was informed. She gave no notice to her employer
that the gearing was exposed, and made no protest against its condi
tion. On February 14, 1902, as the plaintiff was pushing the lever
back to stop the machine her hand slipped and her fingers were caught
in the cogs, necessitating the amputation o f all of one finger and a
part o f another.
The appeal was based on a contention o f the company that the court
below erred in submitting the case to the jury on a charge that the
plaintiff, by remaining at work even with full knowledge o f the situa
tion and o f the fact that the gearing was not guarded, as required by
section 6433 o f the Missouri statutes, can not be held to have so assumed
the risk or to have so contributed to her own injury as to preclude a
recovery if the danger was not so imminent that persons o f ordinary
prudence under similar circumstances would have declined to incur it.
The result o f the appeal was a reversal o f the judgment o f the court
below, Judge Thayer dissenting. Judge Sanborn, who announced the
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
681
opinion o f the court, discussed very fully the principles and cases
bearing on the question. From his remarks the following is quoted:
The defendant did not plead in this case that the plaintiff was guilty
o f contributory negligence. Its only defense was that the rapidly
revolving cogs were seen and known by the plaintiff, that the danger
from them was apparent, and that she assumed the risk o f it. These
are the questions, therefore, which the instruction to the jury presents:
A re the risks from defective place o f employment, appliances, and
fellow-servants which employees assume by entering and continuing
in the service o f a master with knowledge o f the situation and its dan
gers and without complaint, limited to those risks the danger from
which is so imminent that persons o f ordinary prudence would not
incur them ? Or do the risks capable o f assumption in this way include
those less serious chances which servants o f ordinary prudence would
and do incur?
The charge o f the court answered the first o f these questions in the
affirmative, and the second in the negative. It was, in effect, that the
defense o f assumption o f risk and the defense o f contributory negli
gence were identical in effect and coterminous in extent, that no serv
ant in the exercise o f due care can lawfully assume the risk o f a
defective place, defective machinery, or defective appliances, and that
it is only where the danger from them is so grave that no prudent per
son would chance it that a servant can lawfully contract to take the
chance o f the injury which they may inflict upon him.
There is an exception to the law o f assumption o f risk as well estab
lished as the rule itself. It is that, where a servant makes complaint
to his master o f a dangerous defect in his place of work or in the appli
ances furnished him, the risk o f that defect is cast upon the master,
and the servant is relieved from it for a reasonable time to enable the
employer to remove it, unless the danger from the defect is so immi
nent that a person o f ordinary prudence would not continue in the
employment after the defect is discovered. Hough v. E ailw ayC o.,
100 U. S., 225; 25 L. Ed., 612. O f course, cases which fall under the
exception are not governed by the rule, and the only defense remain
ing in such cases is that o f contributory negligence.
It is said that if, by entering or continuing in the service, an
employee may assume the risk o f a defect which arises from the viola
tion o f the duty o f the master to exercise ordinary care to provide a
reasonably safe place or reasonably safe appliances, the master may
be in large part relieved from the discharge o f this duty, and may be
led to furnish more defective places and appliances than he otherwise
would do, and that fo r this reason the doctrine o f assumption o f risk
ought not to be permitted to apply in cases in which the danger is not
so imminent that prudent persons would not incur it. The answer to
this contention is: (1) That the servant is constantly at liberty to
accept or reject the employment, and may do so at any time in case
the wages do not in his opinion compensate him fo r the hazards as
well as the work o f his avocation; that he ought in the first instance
to assume the known or obvious risks o f the employment, because his
constant use o f the place and appliances necessarily makes him more
familiar with them than in the nature o f things his master or inspector
can ordinarily be; and (2) that by a simple complaint to his employer
he may relieve himself from the assumption o f the risk for a reason
able time to enable the master to remove the defect.
682
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
The doctrine o f assumption o f risk is placed by the authorities and
sustained upon two grounds. That doctrine is that, while it is the
duty o f the master to exercise ordinary care to provide a reasonably
safe place for the servant to work and reasonably safe appliances for
him to use, and while, unless he knows or by the exercise o f reason
able care would have known that this duty has not been discharged by
the master, he may assume that it has been, and may recover fo r any
injury resulting from the failure to discharge it, yet he assumes all
the ordinary risks and dangers incident to the employment upon which
he enters and in which he continues, including those resulting from
the negligence o f his master which are known to him, or which would
have been known to a person o f ordinary prudence and care in his situ
ation by the exercise o f ordinary diligence. The first ground upon
which this rule o f law rests is the maxim, Volenti non fit injuria. A
servant is not compelled to begin or continue to work fo r his master.
Ordinarily, he does not work for him under a contract for a stated
time. He is at liberty to retire from his employment, and his master
is free to discharge him, at any time. The latter constantly offers
him day by day his wages, his place to work, and the appliances which
he is to use. The form er day by day voluntarily accepts them. B y the
continuing acceptance o f the work and the wages he voluntarily
accepts and assumes the risk o f the defects and dangers which a per
son o f ordinary prudence in his place would have known. No one
can justly be held liable to another fo r an injury resulting from a risk
which the latter knowingly and willingly consented to incur. [Cases
cited.]
The second ground upon which assum ption o f risk is based is that
every servant who enters or continues in the employment o f a master
without complaint thereby either expressly or impliedly agrees with
him to assume the risks and dangers incident to the employment which
a person o f ordinary prudence in his situation would have known by
the exercise o f ordinary diligence and care, and to hold his master
free from liability therefor. The truth is tnat, while assumption o f
risk and contributory negligence both apply to prevent a recovery in
cases in which’ the servant nas knowingly and willingly exposed him
self to dangers too imminent fo r prudent persons to incur, they are
neither identical in effect nor coincident in extent, and the latter has
no application and constitutes no defense in that great majority o f
cases in which assumption o f risk is an impregnable bar to a recovery
where prudent persons assume the obvious dangers o f their employ
ments which are neither imminent nor great. Assumption o f risk is
the voluntary contract o f an ordinarily prudent servant to take the
chances o f tne known or obvious dangers o f his employment and to
relieve his master o f liability therefor. Contributory negligence is
the causal action or omission o f the servant without ordinary care o f
consequences. The one rests in contract, the other in tort. Contrib
utory negligence is no element or attribute o f assumption o f risk.
The latter does not prevail because the servant was or was not neglient in making his contract and in exposing himself to the defect and
anger which injured him, but because he voluntarily agreed to take
the risk o f them. No right o f action in his favor in such a case can
arise against the master, because the latter violates no duty in failing
to protect the servant against risks and dangers which the latter has
voluntarily agreed to assume and to hold the form er harmless from.
S
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
683
This clear distinction between assumption o f risk and contributory
negligence has been repeatedly announced and constantly maintained
in the Federal courts and in most o f the courts o f the States. The law
upon this subject which controls this case and all cases o f this character
in the Federal courts is stated in Washington, etc., R. Co. v. McDade,
135 U. S. 554, 570, 10 Sup. Ct. 1044, 34 L . Ed. 235, in the quotation
which follows, and, so far as our investigation has extended, the rules
o f law thus announced have never been disregarded or modified by that
court in any subsequent decision:
“ Neither individuals nor corporations are bound, as employers, to
insure the absolute safety o f the machinery or mechanical appliances
which they provide fo r the use o f their employees. Nor are they
bound to supply the best and safest or newest o f those appliances, for
the purpose o f securing the safety o f those who are thus employed.
They are, however, bound to use all reasonable care and prudence for
the safety o f those in their service, by providing them with machinery
reasonably safe and suitable fo r the use o f the latter. I f the employer
or master fails in this duty o f precaution and care, he is responsible
fo r any injury which may happen through a defect o f machinery which
was, or ought to have been, known to him, and was unknown to the
employee or servant. But if the employee knew o f the defect in the
machinery from which the injury happened, and yet remained in the
service and continued to use the machinery without giving any notice
thereof to the employer, he must be deemed to have assumed the risk
o f all danger reasonably to be apprehended from such use, and is enti
tled to no recovery. And further, if the employee himself has been
wanting in such reasonable care and prudence as would have prevented
the happening o f the accident, he is guilty o f contributory negligence,
and the employer is thereby absolved from responsibility for the
injury, although it was occasioned by the defect o f the machinery,
through the negligence o f the em ployer.”
The judge then cited a large number o f cases in which this doctrine
has been followed and continued:
Nor is the distinction between assumption o f risk and contributory
negligence less marked, nor is the form er defense less applicable in
cases o f defects and dangers which arise during the continuance o f
the employment than in those involving defects which exist when the
employee enters upon the service. The suggestion that in the former
class o f cases there is no consideration fo r the contract o f assumption
because the wages are not increased with the hazards is not persuasive.
The answer to it is: (1) The doctrine o f assumption o f risk is founded
on the maxim, Volenti non fit injuria, as well as upon the express or
implied contract arising from the employment, and continuance in the
employment after new defects and dangers become obvious is con
clusive evidence o f a willing assumption o f the risk which they entail;
and (2) since, in ordinary employments, contracts for times certain do
not exist, and either party is at liberty to terminate the service at any
time, there is in fact a constantly recurring daily offer and daily
acceptance o f the risks o f the known or obvious dangers and defects
o f the place and o f the appliances, and o f the wages tendered to induce
an assumption o f the work and the hazards. The reason which under
lies the entire rule is that the servant who is constantly working in
the place provided fo r him and daily using the tools and appliances
684
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR.
furnished to him is more likely to know and to appreciate the dangers
from defects in them than the master or his inspector, who, in the
very nature o f things, can not see and know them so frequently and
intimately as the employee who constantly uses them. This was the
reason which induced the application o f this rule to defects and dangers
existing when servants enter upon their engagements, and when, in the
nature o f things, they are far less familiar with the defects and dangers
incident to their avocations than they subsequently become after they
have been long in the service. The reason o f the rule applies with much
greater force to dangers which arise and become known or are obvious
to servants during their employment, because they have then become
more familiar with their place and their appliances, and have earlier and
better means o f knowledge, and generally a better knowledge o f changes
in them, and o f the effect and dangers o f such changes, than they had o f
the dangers and defects incident to the original employment, and than
their master or his inspectors can possibly obtain. Hence the rule
declared by the Supreme Court in Washington, etc., Railroad Co. v.
McDade [supra], that if an injury is inflicted upon an employee on
account o f a defect and danger which arose during his employment, yet
“ if the employee knew o f the defect in the machinery from which the
injury happened, and yet remained in the service and continued to use
the machinery without giving any notice thereof to the employer, he
must be deemed to have assumed the risk o f all danger reasonably to be
apprehended from such use, and is entitled to no recovery.”
The authorities and opinions to which reference has now been made
have forced our minds irresistibly to the conclusion that the following
rules o f law have become irrevocably settled by the great weight of
authority in this country, and by the opinions o f the Supreme Court,
which, upon well-settled principles, must be permitted to control the
opinion and action o f this court:
A servant by entering or continuing in the employment o f a master
without complaint assumes the risks and dangers o f the employment
which he knows and appreciates, and also those which an ordinarily
prudent person o f his capacity and intelligence would have known and
appreciated in his situation.
A servant who knows, or who by the exercise o f reasonable prudence
and care would have known, o f the risks and dangers which arose
during his service, but who continues in the employment without.complaint, assumes those risks and dangers to the same extent that he
undertakes to assume those existing when he enters upon the employ
ment.
A m ong the risks and dangers thus assumed are those which arise
from the failure o f the master to completely discharge his duty to
exercise ordinary care to furnish the servant with a reasonably safe
place to work and reasonably safe appliances and tools to use.
Assumption o f risk and contributory negligence are separate and
distinct defenses. The one is based on contract, the other on tort.
The form er is not conditioned or limited by the existence o f the latter,
and is alike available whether the risk assumed is great or small, and
whether the danger from it. is imminent and certain or remote and
improbable.
The court below fell into an error when it instructed the jury that
although the plaintiff continued in the employment o f the defendant
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
685
by the side o f the visible unguarded gearing with full knowledge that
the cogs which injured her were uncovered, still she could not be held
to have assumed the risk o f working by their side unless the danger
from them was so imminent that persons o f ordinary prudence would
have declined to incur it under similar circumstances.
There is another alleged error specified. A preliminary question
fo r the judge always arises at the close o f the evidence before a case
can be submitted to the jury. That question is, not whether or not
there is any evidence, but whether or not there is any substantial evi
dence upon which a jury can properly render a verdict in favor o f the
party wno produces it.
The factory act o f Missouri (2 Rev. St. 1899, sec. 6433) does not
abolish the defense o f assumption o f risk in cases which fall under its
provisions. In this respect it differs from the act o f the Congress
o f the United States (act March 2, 1893, c. 196, 27 Stat. 531 [U. S.
Comp. St. 1901, p. 3174]), which requires cars engaged in interstate
commerce to be equipped with automatic couplers. Congress in that
act expressly provided that in case the railroad companies failed to
com ply with its terms the employees should not be deemed to have
assumed the risk thereby occasioned. (A ct March 2,1893, c. 196, sec.
8, p. 532, 27 Stat. 532 [U. S. Comp. St. 1901, p. 3176]). The legisla
ture o f Missouri had power to apply a similar provision to cases in
which employers failed to keep their machinery safely and securely
guarded, but they did not do so. The negligence o f the master to
safely and securely guard his machinery in accordance with the pro
visions o f the law o f Missouri is o f the same nature as his negligence
in providing a reasonably safe floor or ax or other tool or appliance,
and there is no reason wny an action for a resulting injury should not
be subject to the defense o f assumption o f risk in the one case to the
same extent as in the other. And so it is under the law here under
consideration. The factory act o f Missouri (2 Rev. St. 1899, sec. 6433)
does not abolish the defense o f assumption o f risk in cases in which the
absence o f the guards and the risks and dangers from the gearing and
machinery are obvious or well known to the employee and he enters
or continues in the service without complaint. [Cases cited.]
The machinery, the cogs, the slippery lever, and their relation to
each other, were open, visible, known. There was nothing recondite,
imperceptible, uncertain, in the danger impending from them. It
was plain and certain that if the employee permitted her hand to slip
between the revolving cogs that hand would be injured. The defect
o f the unguarded gearing was obvious, the danger from it was appar
ent, and, without a disregard o f the rules to which we have adverted
and the decisions o f the Supreme Court and o f the other courts o f the
country to which reference has been made, there is no escape from the
conclusion that the evidence in this case established without contradic
tion or dispute the facts that the plaintiff, by continuing in her employ
ment without complaint, in the presence o f an obvious and known
defect and o f a plain and apparent danger, assumed the risk o f the
injury which she sustained, so that she never had any cause o f action
against the defendant; and the court below should have so instructed
the jury. The judgment below is accordingly reversed, and the case
is remanded to the circuit court fo r a new trial.
686
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
From the dissenting opinion o f Judge Thayer, the following is
quoted:
I do not concur in the foregoing opinion. The laws o f Missouri
(Rev. St. 1899, sec. 6133) required the defendant company to keep the
gearing which occasioned the plaintiff’s injury “ safely and securely
guarded when possible” fo r the protection o f its employees. This
statute was enacted in pursuance o f a sound public policy; that is to
say, to insure, as far as possible, the safety o f the many thousand
artisans and laborers who are daily employed in mills and factories
throughout the State, and while so employed are exposed to unneces
sary risks o f getting hurt if belting, gearing, drums, etc., in the
establishments where they work are left uncovered when so situated
that they may be covered readily. The act was inspired by the same
motives which induced the Congress o f the United States (act March
2,1893, c. 196, 27 Stat. 531 [U. S. Comp. St. 1901, p. 3174]) to require
cars to be equipped with automatic coupling appliances, when it was
discovered that hundreds o f brakemen were annually killed or made
cripples fo r life by the use o f the old-fashioned couplers that do not
couple bv impact. A wise policy demands that as far as possible
human lire shall be preserved, and that there shall not be in any com
munity a large class o f persons who are unable to earn a livelihood
because they have become maimed and crippled through exposure to
unnecessary risks. The statute in question is not only a wise measure
o f legislation, but was prompted by a humane spirit. F or these rea
sons it should not be so applied or construed by the courts as to defeat
the objects which the legislature had in view, nor in such a way as to
render it less efficient than it was intended to be in the promotion of
such objects.
I do not regard the question whether “ contributory negligence”
and “ assumption o f risk,” considered as defenses to an action for
personal injuries, are identical or are different defenses as o f much
Tactical importance. That is rather a question fo r the schoolmen,
t matters very little whether we say o f a servant who has used a
defective tool or appliance, which the master has supplied, with a full
knowledge o f the defect and a full appreciation o f the danger incident
to its use, that such servant is as much at fault as the master and is
guilty o f contributory negligence, or whether we say that he has
agreed to assume the risk and absolve the master from liability. The
result, as respects the master’s liability, is the same in whatever way
we may choose to designate the defense.
The other questions, however, that are discussed in the opinion, and
are decided in the manner above stated, are o f great moment, affecting,
as they do, the rights o f thousands o f people who are daily engaged in
service and are liable to sustain injuries because reasonable precautions
are not taken, by those who employ them, to prevent their being
injured. The doctrine, that the servant can not rely upon the master
to discharge the duty which the law imposes upon him to provide tools,
appliances, and a place to work that is reasonably safe, but must be
astute to discover defects therein and to appreciate dangers incident
thereto, and that he must either quit work or secure the master’s
promise to supply better tools and safer appliances, or else be denied
compensation for any injury which he may sustain, is a doctrine that
is eminently well calculated to make employers less vigilant in the dis
charge o f their duties to their employees, and less ready to obey the
{
DECISION’S OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
687
provisions o f such laws as may be enacted to prevent the occurrence
o f distressing accidents. When forced to the alternative o f losing his
situation or working with defective tools or in a situation that might
be made safer, many an employee will choose the latter. Besides,
many servants, especially those who are most worthy, will hesitate to
make a demand fo r better and safer implements when they ought to be
supplied, or to have the place where they work made safer, for fear
o f falling into disfavor with their employers and being classed as
malcontents and grumblers. Another large class of persons who are
young and venturesome, or by disposition and temperament are not
prone to anticipate injuries or to appreciate dangers to which they are
exposed, will continue to work with tools or appliances when they
have become unsafe, utterly unconscious o f the risks which they incur.
Take the case at bar as an example. It is by no means improbable
that the plaintiff, although she worked ten or fifteen minutes each day
at the form ing machine with the gearing uncovered, for several weeks
before she was hurt, had never thought o f such an accident as eventu
ally befell her, and had never had a realizing sense or a conscious
appreciation o f the danger which my associates say, with so much con
fidence, she must have had, and accordingly decline to permit a jury
to pass upon the question. And yet the legislature foresaw that such
an accident might happen, and fo r the protection o f persons like the
plaintiff enjoined upon the defendant company the duty o f covering
these gearings and keeping them covered so that such accidents might
not happen. In other words, the legislature made it the duty o f the
defendant company to protect the plaintiff from the risk to which they
caused her to be exposed.
On grounds o f public policy, therefore, and to insure the faith
ful discharge by employers o f the duty which the law devolves on
them, and to prevent them from forcing their employees to assume
risks which they o f right ought to assume, the law ought to be as it
was declared by the learned trial judge, that the plaintiff was not
debarred from recovering compensation fo r the injuries which she sus
tained, merely by reason o f the fact that she had worked at the form
ing machine at intervals with the gearing uncovered, unless the jury
believed that the risk o f getting hurt was so grave and imminent that
a person o f ordinary prudence would not have incurred it. The prin
ciple so enunciated being just, both as it affects masters and servants,
in that it places the responsibility for defective tools and appliances
where it o f right belongs, and the rule announced being easy o f appli
cation and one that will tend to the protection o f life and limb, there
is, in my judgment, abundant authority to sustain it. [Cases cited.]
The defendant company having failed to perform its statutory duty
o f keeping the gearing or the form ing machine covered, and the plain
tiff below having been injured by reason o f such neglect, I think, for
the reasons already stated, that the trial court properly advised the
jury that she mignt recover, unless the risk which was incurred by
working in proxim ity to the uncovered gearing was so great and
imminent that a prudent person o f the plaintiff’s age and in her situa
tion would not have incurred it. I f such a duty can be evaded by
voluntary agreements made by employers with their employees, and
by implication only, then the existence o f such agreements, when
alleged, should be found by a jury. In no other way, in my judgment,
will such statutes prove enective for the protection o f human life.
688
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
DECISIONS UNDER COMMON L A W .
as
E mployers’ L ia bility — A ccident I nsurance— N otice— D isease
A ccidental I njury . — Columbia, Paper Stock Company v. Fidelity
and Casualty Company o f New York, Court o f Appeals at St. Louis,
78 Southwestern Reporter, page 820.— In this case the Columbia Paper
Stock Company sued the Fidelity and Casualty Company of New
Y ork to recover an amount claimed as due the first-named company
on a judgment recovered by one o f its employees. The Paper Stock
Company held a policy o f the insurance company covering employers’
liability fo r accidental injuries occurring to its employees incurred in
the course o f their employment. One o f such employees, Anna Nickel,
had recovered a judgment on account o f bodily disease contracted by
her by the handling o f infected rags, or other poisonous material, in
the course o f her employment as sorter in the Paper Stock Company’s
business. Her illness became evident on the 14th day o f A pril, after
which date she perform ed no labor fo r her employers. On the 24th
o f A pril the forewoman under whom Mrs. Nickel worked first learned
o f the continued illness o f the claimant, but the employing company
was not notified o f such fact until the 31st o f May, at which time the
insurance company was promptly notified o f the claim and action,
after the suit had been instituted by Mrs. Nickel to recover damages
for the injury. One element o f the contract between the Paper Stock
Company and the insurance company was that upon the* occurrence o f
an accident immediate notice thereof, with the fullest information
obtainable at the time, should be given to the home office o f the com
pany at New Y ork City or its duly authorized local agent. It was
contended by the insurance company that this condition had not been
complied with, and further, that disease produced by a known cause
was not included under the protection against accidental injuries. The
St. Louis circuit court rendered judgment in favor o f the Paper Stock
Company, from which judgment this appeal was taken, with the result
that the judgment o f the court below was affirmed. Judge Reyburn,
who delivered the opinion o f the court, used in part the following
language:
Under this state o f facts, appellant [the insurance company] insists
that respondent failed to comply with the provision o f the policy
respecting notice. The demand o f such notice, under the qualifica
tions presently defined, is reasonable, and it is material and important
to the insurer. The purpose, manifestly, is to advise appellant
prom ptly o f the existence o f any claim, putting it upon inquiry, and
so afford it full opportunity to investigate the facts attending the
occurrence, and to enable it to adjust and pay the loss, or prepare to
resist it, as it may conclude just or expedient. As indicated by an
eminent commentator on the law o f insurance, to give the word
“ immediate,” in such contracts, a literal significance, in most cases,
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
689
would deprive the insured o f indemnity, and policies o f insurance
would be converted into instruments o f fraud. (2 May, Insurance
(4th ed.) sec. 462.) In McFarland v. Accident Ass’n, 124 M o., 218; 27
S. W . 436, the legal translation o f the word “ immediate,” as applied
to notice, was directly considered, and it was held that this term
could not be construed literally without in many cases causing a fo r
feiture, and that it was frequently impossible, under the circumstances
o f the accident, to give immediate notice, and that this and similar
words should be construed to mean within a reasonable time. The
decision continued: “ So, though the time in which the notice shall be
given is fixed under the contract, if the circumstances o f the accident
are such as to make it impossible to com ply with the condition, g iv
ing the notice within a reasonable time after it becomes possible nas
been held sufficient.” This language is adopted as expressive o f the
true rule in the well-considered case o f Woodmen, etc., Ass’n v. Pratt,
62 Neb. 673, 87 N. W . 546, 55 L. R. A . 291, 89 Am. St. Rep.
777. Provisions o f this description also affecting the action o f the
assured subsequent to the event, the subject o f indemnity, and conse
quently after the loss, if any, has ensued, and the liability measurably
attached, have received in this State a construction o f the utmost liberalty toward the beneficiary, to obviate a forfeiture. Our conclusion,
therefore, is that, if no time is specified or notice is required to be
given immediately, notice given with diligence and in a reasonable
time, due regard being had to the attending circumstances, is a legal
compliance with such condition. [Cases cited.] Nor can the knowl
edge o f the assistant forewoman o f respondent o f the original attack
o f sickness o f the sufferer, its continuance, and its assigned cause be
imputed to respondent. Respondent, as employer and principal,
would not be charged with any knowledge o f or notice to its fore
woman, unless such knowledge or notice was in respect to a matter
within the scope o f her duties in respondent’s employ. It is obvious
that so ordinary an occurrence as the illness and consequent absence
o f an employee imported no claim or liability under the policy, and it
is equally apparent that the knowledge o f the forewoman was not
derived as the result or consequence o f any notice sought to be given
her by virtue o f her service in respondent’s employ or as its represent
ative. Knowledge o f those in the control and the conduct and super
intendence o f respondent’s business at its premises at Kansas City, its
eneral manager and assistant manager, if they had possessed the
nowledge o f the forewoman— especially that, upon the continuation
o f her illness, Anna Nickel had claimed that her sickness was attribu
table to handling infected rags and poisonous paper in respondent’s
employ— might have been asserted to have been the knowledge o f the
respondent, but not such knowledge on the part o f an assistant fore
woman, an employee o f power and authority proven to have been so
limited. A corporate principal is affected with notice to its agents to
the same extent and in the same manner as an individual, and can only
be charged with notice o f those facts in the knowledge of its agents,
within the scope o f the business intrusted to them.
Appellant further puts forward the contention that a disease pro
duced by a known cause can not be accidental, and therefore such a
disease as acute kidney disease or dropsy produced by the absorption
o f poison, consequent on handling infected paper or rags in the course
o f employment, is not covered by the policy; and the legal question is
8674— No. 52—04----- 14
f
690
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
thus sharply presented whether the injuries consequent on such illness
resulted from a cause against which the insurance was issued. In the
construction o f such contracts, it is well established that not only
should they be given a fair and reasonable construction, so as to give
effect to the objects intended by the parties thereto, but any obscurity
in the language employed in the contract is to be resolved against the
insurer, and to receive a broad and liberal interpretation in favor o f
the assured. Again borrowing from the eminent authority on the law
o f insurance, above referred to: “ No rule in the interpretation o f a
policy is more fully established, or more imperative and controlling,
than that which declares that in all cases it must be liberally construed
in favor o f the insured, so as not to defeat, without a plain necessity,
his claim to the indemnity which, in making the insurance, it was his
object to secure. W hen the words are, without violence, susceptible
o f two interpretations, that which will sustain his claim and cover the
loss must, in preference, be adopted.” (1 May, Insurance (4th ed.)
secs. 174, 175.)
In conclusion, after full consideration, upon a fair and legal con
struction o f the terms o f this policy, which were for indemnity against
loss from common-law or statutory liability for damages on account
o f bodily injuries, fatal or nonfatal, accidentally suffered, the injury
sustained by respondent’s employee upon its premises in handling the
infected rags and wall paper fell fairly within the true meaning and
intent. The judgment below was rendered for the right party, and is
affirmed.
I njunction— Strikes— Criminal L aw — B onds to K eep P eace —
P roperty R ights— A dequate R emedy — Underhill v. Murphy et al.,
Court o f Appeals o f Kentucky, 78 Southwestern Reporter, page Ifi®.—
In this case John T. Underhill sought an injunction in the circuit
court o f Kenton County against W alter M urphy and others. Under
hill was an employing plumber, and had been engaged in the business
in Covington, K y ., for a number o f years and had built up a profitable
trade. He had on hand at the time o f the trouble giving rise to this
action a number o f important contracts. His workmen were members
o f a labor union, and, a difference having arisen between Underhill
and his employees, they left his service. Underhill then employed
nonunion men to assist him in carrying out his contracts, whereupon
his form er employees instituted measures to break up his business by
the use o f threats, intimidation, force, and violence, all o f which was
pleaded and sufficiently proved, it appearing that not only was the
plaintiff’ s place o f business picketed, but that actual assaults had been
made and the assistance o f the police had been required at different
times to safeguard Underhill and his workmen. The court stated that
“ the proof shows a determined effort by conspiracy on the part o f the
defendants to break up and destroy the plaintiff’s business by force
and violence unless he acceded to the demands o f the union to which
they belonged.” The prayer for an injunction had been denied in the
court below (see Bulletin o f the Department o f Labor No. 37, p. 1203),
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING- LABOR.
691
from which judgment Underhill appealed to the court o f appeals and
obtained a reversal, the granting o f an injunction being directed. The
follow ing selections from the remarks o f Judge Hobson, who deliv
ered the opinion o f the court, set forth the grounds o f the court’s
action:
W hen a man has, by years o f toil and fair dealing with his cus
tomers, built up a valuable business and good will, he is as much enti
tled to protection by the law in this species o f property as in the home
that shelters him, or the coat that protects him from the winter’s cold.
The right o f the plaintiff to carry on his business and to carry out the
contracts which he had made was a valuable property right, and no
less intrinsically property than if the same amount o f money had been
invested in a stock o f merchandise or a city lot. I f the defendants
had conspired together by force and violence to burn up the merchan
dise, or to carry off the surface o f the lot, upon elementary principles,
the chancellor would protect the plaintiff from the destruction o f his
property. The acts o f the defendant as truly destroyed the plaintiff’s
property when they broke up his business by force and intimidation
as they would have done in the case o f visible property by burning it
or carrying it off. Am ong the inalienable rights which by the first
section o f the State constitution are guarantied as inherent m all men
is “ the right o f acquiring and protecting property.” The right to
acquire and protect property is as sacred in the case o f intangible
property as tangible, and an injunction may be granted to protect
intangible rights no less than those that are tangible.
The learned circuit judge refused to interfere on the ground that
the acts committed by the defendants are criminal in nature, and pun
ishable by the police department; that, if he had jurisdiction to enjoin
the commission o f the acts, it necessarily followed that he had j urisdiction
to enforce a penalty fo r a violation o f his order; and that this would
amount, in substance, to holding that he could try and convict the
defendants fo r a criminal act without the intervention o f a jury. W e
cannot concur in this reasoning. I f the defendants were undermining
the plaintiff’s house, or about to slide it with his family in it into the
Ohio River, an injunction would not be refused on the idea that, if
they thus drowned any o f the people in the house, they might be pun
ished fo r murder, or, if they destroyed the house only, they might be
indicted under the statute fo r the willful destruction o f private prop
erty. The reason is plain: The punishment o f the defendants for mur
der or fo r the destruction o f the house, while it would vindicate the
majesty o f the law, would not help the plaintiff in any way. T o relegate
him to the processes o f the criminal law is to allow his property to be
destroyed, and to give him no remedy therefor but the satisfaction o f
seeing the wrongdoers punished. The inherent and inalienable right o f
acquiring and protecting property which is guarantied by the constitution
means nothing if it means only this. I f a man must stand by and see
his property destroyed, and has no remedy but the slow process o f the
criminal law, which only punishes the offender, but restores nothing
to him, then the constitutional guaranty o f the enjoyment o f life, lib
erty, and property under the law is a meaningless generality. If, in
this case, the defendants are fined in the police court, this will not
restore to the plaintiff the loss he has sustained by reason o f the inter
ruption o f his business and his consequent inability to carry out his
692
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
contracts. W hen his customers are driven away, and the good will o f
his business is destroyed, it will be too late, so far as he is concerned,
for the punishment o f the appellees by the criminal law to reestablish
his ruined business, or even prevent future loss. I f the circuit court
had granted the injunction, and the defendants had disobeyed it, and
he had punished them fo r contempt, the punishment would have been
for their disobedience o f the order o f the court, regardless o f whether
their acts were also a violation o f the criminal law o f the land fo r which
they might be indicted and punished in the criminal court. His judg
ment punishing them fo r contempt would have been no bar to the crim
inal proceeding against them fo r their violation o f the law, and would
not have affected this proceeding in any way. His judgment would
have established nothing more than that they were guilty o f contempt
o f court in disobeying his orders. W hether they were also guilty o f
a criminal offense would have to be tried in the proper forum, and not
in this action. The power o f a court to punish fo r contempt is as old
as the common law, and inherent in every court. The punishment for
contempt would relate only to acts done after the injunction was
granted, in disobedience o f it; and even in this proceeding the defend
ants are protected as to a jury trial by section 1291, K y. St., 1903,
which provides: “ A court shall not fo r contempt impose upon the
offender a fine exceeding thirty dollars ($30), or imprison him exceed
ing thirty hours, without the intervention o f a ju ry .”
It is also urged that the plaintiff had an adequate remedy under the
criminal code by having the defendants to give security to keep the
peace and be o f good behavior. The rule that an injunction will not
be granted where there is an adequate remedy af. law refers to legal
remedies, and not to criminal proceedings. In no case has it ever been
otherwise applied, so far as we can find. It looks to the prevention
o f offenses, and not to the redress o f private wrongs. It is begun by
a warrant issued in the name o f the Commonwealth, and is a prosecu
tion by the Commonwealth, under the control o f its officers. I f a
bond is required, it is taken to the Commonwealth. When the plain
tiff’s property is about to be destroyed, he is entitled to a remedy in
his own name, and which he can himself control to protect him in the
enjoyment o f his own. The fact that the Commonwealth might also
take out a proceeding to require the defendant to give security for
good behavior is immaterial, for both proceedings may be prosecuted
at the same time— one in the criminal court by the Commonwealth,
and the other in equity by the plaintiff; one to prevent the commis
sion o f offenses, the other to preserve the plaintiff’s property from
destruction.
L abor O rganizations— B enefit F unds— R ules— Steinertv. United
Brotherhood o f Carpenters and Joiners o f America, Supreme Court o f
Minnesota, 97 Northwestern Reporter, page 668.— In this case Augusta
Steinert, as administratrix o f the estate o f Ferdinand Steinert,
deceased, sued the United Brotherhood o f Carpenters and Joiners o f
America fo r a payment alleged to be due the said Steinert’s estate
from the benefit fund o f the brotherhood above named. There was
no question as to the facts in the case. Mr. Steinert had been a mem
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
693
ber o f the organization in good standing for a number of years prior
to his death and was at that time a member unless he had ceased to be
so because he had engaged in the sale o f liquors a short time before.
The constitution provided that “ No person who engages in the sale of
intoxicating drinks can be admitted or retained as a member. 55 Another
provision was to the effect that: “ Each member will be entitled to all
the benefits, rights, and privileges o f this United Brotherhood, as
prescribed in this constitution, by strictly adhering to his obligation,
and by him and his local union obeying the constitution and rules.55
The municipal court o f Minneapolis had allowed the claim against the
brotherhood, whereupon an appeal was taken to the supreme court,
which affirmed the judgment o f the court below. The question
involved and the grounds on which the award was made are set forth
in the remarks o f Judge Collins, who delivered the opinion o f the
court, from which the follow ing is quoted:
The question is: Must charges be preferred, and an opportunity to
defend given, to an accused member before his membership ceases, or
does the act o f selling intoxicating drinks terminate the membership
without any further proceedings ? That Steinert disregarded the laws
o f the order stands admitted, but it does not follow that this fact o f
itself ended all liability o f the defendant on his certificate o f member
ship, issued when he was eligible, under which he had good standing,
and in which he had acquired a property right. This depends entirely
on the contract o f membership, o f which the constitution was a part.
It was express^ provided in the certificate that a member must strictly
adhere to his obligation, and obey the constitution and all rules o f the
union based thereon. No person who engages in the sale o f intoxicat
ing drinks can be “ retained55 as a member. Provisions o f this kind,
which may deprive one o f property rights acquired when paying dues
from time to time, are to be construed strictly, for forfeitures are not
favored in the law. A member should not be deprived o f benefits aris
ing out o f his certificate o f membership, unless a construction o f the
constitution makes such a result absolutely necessary. W e do not
regard these constitutional provisions, taken as a whole, as indicating
an intent to make the one above quoted self-executing or operative.
It would have been very easy fo r the association, which undoubtedly
prepared its own constitution, if such had been the intent, to have
provided explicitly that in case a member engaged in the sale o f intoxi
cating drinks his membership should forthwith and immediately cease,
his certificate should stand canceled, and that he should have no further
rights under it. No such language, or its equivalent, was used. By
the use o f the words “ retain55 in one place and “ retained55in another,
the provisions were made ambiguous and indefinite. The difficulty in
construing is increased by the provisions which seem to be applicable
respecting the preferring o f charges and the methods prescribed for
trials o f offending members. One who has properly united with a
beneficial association, and has paid his assessments in due season, can
not be declared to have forfeited his rights upon doubtfully constructed
provisions in the constitution; and the one in question was not selfexecuting or operating.
LAW S OF VARIOUS STATES RELATING TO LABOR ENACTED SINCE
JANUARY 1, 1896.
[The Second Special Report o f this Bureau contains all laws o f the various States and Territories
and of the United States relating to labor in force January 1,1896. Later enactm ents are reproduced
in successive issues of the Bulletin from tim e to time as published.]
ILLINOIS.
ACTS OF 1903.
P a g e 187.— Employment o f children.
S ectio n 1. No child under the age of fourteen years shall be employed, permitted
or suffered to work at any gainful occupation in any theater, concert hall or place of
amusement where intoxicating liquors are sold, or in any mercantile institution,
store, office, hotel, laundry, manufacturing establishment, bowling alley, passenger
or freight elevator, factory or workshop, or as a messenger or driver therefor, within
this State. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed at any work
performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during any por
tion of any month when the public schools of the town, township, village or city in
which he or she resides are in session, nor be employed at any work before the hour
of seven o ’ clock in the morning or after the hour of six o ’ clock in the evening: P ro vided, That no child shall be allowed to work more than eight hours in any one day.
Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of every person, firm or corporation, agent or manager
of any firm or corporation employing minors over fourteen years and under sixteen
years of age in any mercantile institution, store, office, hotel, laundry, manufactur
ing establishment, bowling alley, theater, concert hall or place of amusement, pas
senger or freight elevator, factory or workshop, or as messenger or driver therefor,
within this State, to keep a register in said mercantile institution, store, office, hotel,
laundry, manufacturing establishment, bowling alley, theater, concert hall or place
of amusement, factory or workshop in which said minors shall be employed or per
mitted or suffered to work, in which register shall be recorded the name, age and
place of residence of every child employed or suffered or permitted to work therein,
or as messenger or driver therefor, over the age of fourteen and under the age of six
teen years; and it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, agent or
manager, of any firm or corporation to hire or employ, or to permit or suffer to work
in any mercantile institution, store, office, hotel, laundry, manufacturing establish
ment, bowling alley, theater, concert hall or place of amusement, passenger or
freight elevator, factory or workshop, or as messenger or driver therefor, any child
under the age of sixteen years and over fourteen years of age, unless there is first
produced and placed on file in such mercantile institution, store, office, hotel, laun
dry, manufacturing establishment, bowling alley, factory or workshop, theater, con
cert hall or place of amusement, an age and school certificate approved as hereinafter
provided.
Sec. 3. Every person, firm or corporation, agent or manager of a corporation
employing or permitting or suffering to work five or more children under the age of
sixteen years and over the age of fourteen in any mercantile institution, store, office,
laundry, hotel, manufacturing establishment, factory or workshop, shall post and
keep posted in a conspicuous place in every room in which such help is employed,
or permitted or suffered to work, a list containing the name, age and place of resi
dence of every person under the age of sixteen years employed, permitted or suffered
to work in such room.
S ec . 4. No child under sixteen years of age and over fourteen years of age shall be
employed in any mercantile institution, store, office, hotel, laundry, manufacturing
LABOR LAWS---- ILLINOIS---- ACTS OF 1903.
695
establishment, bowling alley, theater, concert hall, or place of amusement, passen
ger or freight elevator, factory or workshop, or as messenger or driver therefor, unless
there is first produced and placed on file in such mercantile institution, store, office,
hotel, laundry, manufacturing establishment, bowling alley, theater, concert hall or
place of amusement, factory or workshop, and accessible to the State factory inspector,
assistant factory inspector or deputy factory inspector, an age and school certificate as
hereinafter prescribed; and unless there is kept on file and produced on demand of
said inspectors of factories a complete and correct list of all the minors under the age
of sixteen years so employed* who can not read at sight and write legibly simple
sentences, unless such child is attending night school as hereinafter provided.
S ec . 5. An age and school certificate shall be approved only by the superintendent
of schools or by a person authorized by him in writing; or where there is no super
intendent of schools by a person authorized by the school board: Provided , That the
superintendent or principal of a parochial school shall have the right to approve an
age and school certificate, and shall have the same rights and powers as the superin
tendent of public schools to administer the oaths herein provided for children attend
ing parochial schools: Provided , further, That no member of a school board or other
person authorized as aforesaid shall have authority to approve such certificates for
any child then in or about to enter his own establishment, or the employment of a
firm or corporation of which he is a member, officer or employee. The person
approving these certificates shall have authority to administer the oath provided
herein, but no fee shall be charged therefor. It shall be the duty of the school
board or local school authorities to designate a place (connected with their office, when
practicable) where certificates shall be issued ana recorded, and to establish and
maintain the necessary records and clerical service for carrying out the provisions of
this act.
S ec . 6. An age and school certificate shall not be approved unless satisfactory evi
dence is furnished by the last school census, the certificate of birth or baptism of such
child, the register o f birth of such child with a town or city clerk, or by the records of
the public or parochial schools, that such child is of the age stated in the certificate:
Provided, That in cases arising wherein the above proof is not obtainable, the parent or
guardian of the child shall make oath before the juvenile or county court as to the
age of such child, and the court may issue to said child an age certificate as sworn to.
S ec . 7. The age and school certificate of a child under sixteen years of age shall not be
approved and signed until he presents to the person authorized to approve and sign
the same, a school attendance certificate, as hereinafter prescribed, duly filled out and
signed. A duplicate of such age and school certificate shall be filled out and shall be
forwarded to the State factory inspector’ s office. A n y explanatory matter may be
printed with such certificate in the discretion of the school board or superintendent
of schools. The employment and the age and school certificates shall be separately
printed and shall be filled out, signed, and held or surrendered as indicated in the
following forms.
SCHOOL CERTIFICATE.
. (Name of school).
(City or town and date).
This certifies (name of minor) of the —th grade, can read and write legibly simple
sentences. This also certifies that according to the records of this school, and in m y
belief, the said (name of minor) was born at (name of city or tow n) in (name of
county) on the (date) and is now (number of years and months) old.
(Name of parent or guardian),
(Residence).
(Signature of tea ch er)------ grade.
(Name of principal).
Correct.
(Name of school).
EVENING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE.
(Date).
This certifies that (name of minor) is registered in and regularly attends th e --------evening school. This also certifies that according to the records of m y school and in
m y belief the said (name of minor) was born at (name of city or town) on the — day
of (year), and is now (number of years and months) old.
(Name of parent or guardian),
(Residence).
(Signature of teacher).
(Signature of principal).
696
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
A g e a n d S ch o o l C e r t if ic a t e .
This certifies that I am (father, mother, guardian or custodian) of (name of minor),
and that (he or she) was born at (name oi town or city) in the (name of county, if
known) and State or county o f ------ , on the (day of birth and year of birth) and is
now (number of years and months) old.
(Signature of parent, guardian or custodian),
(City or town and date).
There personally appeared before me the above named (name of person signing)
and made oath that the foregoing certificate by (him or her) signed is true to the
best of (his or her) knowledge. I hereby approve the foregoing certificate of (name
of child), height (feet and inches), w eigh t------ , com plexion (fair or dark), hair
(color), having no sufficient reason to doubt that (he or she) is of the age therein
certified.
O w n e r o f C e r t if ic a t e .
This certificate belongs to (name of child in whose behalf it is drawn) and is to
be surrendered to (him or her) whenever (he or she) leaves the service of the cor
poration or employer holding the same; but if not claimed by said child within
thirty days from such time it shall be returned to the superintendent of schools, or
where there is no superintendent of schools, to the school board. (Signature of
person authorized to approve and sign, with official character authority) (town, or city
and date.)
In the case of a child who can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences,
the certificate shall continue as follows, after the word sentences: “ I hereby certify
that (he or she) is regularly attending the (name of public or parochial evening
school ) .’ 1 This certificate shall continue in force j ust as long as the regular attendance
of said child at said evening school is certified weekly by the teacher and principal
of said school.
In any city or town in which there is no public or parochial evening school, an
age and school certificate shall not be approved for a child under the age of sixteen
years who can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences. W hen the public
or parochial evening schools are not in session, an age and school certificate shall not be
approved for any child who can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences.
The certificate of the principal of a public or parochial school shall be prima facie
evidence as to the literacy or illiteracy of the child.
Sec. 8 No person shall em ploy any minor over fourteen years of age and under
sixteen years, and no parent, guardian or custodian shall permit to be employed any
such minor under his control, who can not read at sight and write legibly simple
sentences, while a public evening school is maintained in the town or city in which
such minor resides, unless such minor is a regular attendant at such evening school.
Sec. 9. The State inspector of factories, his assistants or deputies, shall visit all
mercantile institutions, stores, offices, laundries, manufacturing establishments, bowl
ing alleys, theaters, concert halls or places of amusement, factories or workshops, and
all other places where minors are or may be employed in this State, and ascertain
whether any minors are employed contrary to the provisions of this act. Inspectors
of factories may require that age and school certificates, and all lists of minors
employed in such factories, workshops, mercantile institutions and all other places
where minors are employed as provided for in this act, shall be produced for their
inspection on demand: A n d, provided further, That upon written complaint to the
school board or local school authorities of any city, town, district or municipality,
that any minor (whose name shall be given in such complaint) is employed m any
mercantile institution, store, office, laundry, manufacturing establishment, bowling
alley, theater, concert hall or place of amusement, passenger or freight elevator, fac
tory or workshop, or as messenger or driver therefor, contrary to the provisions of
this act, it shall be the duty of such school board or local school authority to report
the same to the State inspector of factories.
S ec. 10. No person under the age of sixteen years shall be employed or suffered or
permitted to work at any gainful occupation more than forty-eight hours in any one
week, nor more than eight hours in any one day; or before the hours of seven o’ clock
in the morning or after the hour of seven o ’ clock in the evening. Every employer
shall post in a conspicuous place in every room where such minors are employed, a
printed notice stating the hours required of them each day of the week, the hours of
commencing and stopping work, and the hours when the time or times allowed for
dinner or for other meals begins and endsL The printed form of such notice shall be
.
LABOR LAWS---- ILLINOIS---- ACTS OF 1903.
697
furnished by the State inspector of factories, and the employment of any such minor
for longer time in any day so stated shall be deemed a violation of this section.
S ec . 11. No child under the age of sixteen years shall be employed at sewing belts,
or to assist in sewing belts, in any capacity whatever; nor shall any child adjust any
belt to any machinery; they shall not oil or assist in oiling, wiping or cleaning
machinery; they shall not operate or assist in operating circular or band saws,
wood-shapers, 'wool [wood]-jointers, planers, sandpaper or wood-polishing machin
ery, emery or polishing wheels used for polishing metal, wood-turning or boring
machinery, stamping machines in sheet metal and tinware manufacturing, stamping
machines in washer and nut factories, operating corrugating rolls, such as are used
in roofing factories, nor shall they be employed m operating any passenger or freight
elevators, steam boiler, steam machinery, or other steam generating apparatus, or as
pin boys in any bowling alleys; they shall not operate or assist in operating dough
brakes, or cracker machinery of any description; wire or iron straightening machin
ery; or shall the [they] operate or assist in operating rolling mill machinery punches
or shears, washing, grinding or mixing m ill or calender rolls in rubber manufactur
ing, nor shall they operate or assist in operating laundry machinery; nor shall
children be employed in any capacity in preparing any composition in which dan
gerous or poisonous acids are used, and they snail not be employed in any capacity
in the manufacture of paints, colors or white lead; nor shall they be employed
in any capacity whatever in operating or assisting to operate any passenger or
freight elevator; nor shall they be employed in any capacity whatever m the manu
facture of goods for immoral purposes, or any other employment that may be con
sidered dangerous to their lives or limbs, or where their health may be injured or
morals depraved; nor in any theater, concert hall, or place of amusement wherein
intoxicating liquors are sola; nor shall females under sixteen years of age be em
ployed in any capacity where such employment compels them to remain standing
constantly.
S ec . 12. The presence of any person under the age of sixteen years in any manu
facturing establishment, factory or workshop, shall constitute prima facie evidence
of his or her employment therein.
S ec . 13. It shall be the special duty of the State factory inspector to enforce the
provisions of this act, and to prosecute all violations of the same before any magis
trate or any court of competent jurisdiction in this State. It shall be the duty of
the State factory inspector, assistant State factory inspector and deputy State factory
inspectors under the supervision and direction of the State factory inspector, ana
they are hereby authorized and empowered to visit and inspect, at all reasonable
times, and as often as possible, all places covered by this act.
S ec . 14. Whoever, having under his control a child under the age of 16 years,
permits such child to be employed in violation of the provisions of this act, shall for
each offense be fined not less than $5 nor more than $25, and shall stand committed
until such fine and costs are paid. A failure to produce to the inspector of factories,
his assistants or deputies, any age and school certificates, or lists required by this
act, shall constitute a violation of this act, and the person so failing shall, upon con
viction, be fined not less than $5 nor more than $50 for each offense. Every person
authorized to sign the certificate prescribed by section 7 of this act, who certifies to
any materially false statement therein shall be guilty of a violation of this act, and
upon conviction, be fined not less than $5 nor more than $100 for each offense, and
shall stand committed until such fine and costs are paid. A ny person, firm or cor
poration, agent or manager, superintendent or foreman of any firm or corporation,
whether for himself or for such firm or corporation, or by himself or through sub
agents or foreman, superintendent or manager, who shall violate or fail to com ply
with any of the provisions of this act, or shall refuse admittance to premises, or
otherwise obstruct the factory inspector, assistant factory inspector or deputy fac
tory inspector in the performance of their duties, as prescribed by this act, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not
less than $5 nor more than $100 for each offense, and shall stand committed until
such fine and costs are paid.
S ec . 15. “ An act to prevent child labor,” approved June 17, 1891, in force July
1, 1891, and all other acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act are hereby
Approved May 15, 1903.
P a g e 193.— Inspectors o f factories.
S ec tio n 1. Section nine (9) of an act entitled, “ An act to regulate the manufac
ture of clothing, wearing apparel and other articles in this State, and to provide for
the appointment of State inspectors to enforce the same, and to make an appropria
698
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
tion therefor,” approved June 17, 1893, in force July 1, 1893, is hereby amended
to read as follows:
S ec . 9. The governor shall, upon the taking effect of this act, appoint a factory
inspector at a salary of tw o thousand dollars ($2,000) per annum, an assistant fac
tory inspector at a salary of one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars ($1,250) per
annum and eighteen (18) deputy factory inspectors of whom seven shall be women,
at a salary of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per annum. The term of office of the
factory inspector shall be for four years, and the assistant factory inspector and the
deputy factory inspectors shall hold their office during efficient service and good
behavior. Said inspector, assistant inspector and deputy inspectors shall be
empowered to visit and inspect at all reasonable hours and as often as practicable,
the workshops, factories and manufacturing establishments in this State, where the
manufacture of goods is carried on. And the inspector shall report in writing to the
governor on the 15th day [of] December, annually, the result of their inspections
and investigations, together with such other information and recommendations as
they may deem proper. And said inspectors shall make a special investigation into
alleged abuses m any such workshops whenever the governor shall direct, and
report the results of the same to the governor. It shall also be the duty of said
inspectors to enforce the provisions of this act, and to prosecute all violations of the
same before any magistrate or any court of competent jurisdiction in the State, and
perform such other duties as now are or shall hereafter be prescribed b y law. And
it shall be the duty of the state’ s attorney of the proper county, upon request of the
factory inspector or his deputy, to prosecute any violation of this act. Said inspec
tor shall, b y written order filed with the governor, divide the State into fifteen
inspection districts, due regard being had to the number of factories and the amount
of work required to be performed in each district. And he shall assign to each dis
trict a deputy inspector w ho shall have charge of the inspections in the district to
which he is assigned under the supervision of the inspector and assistant inspec
tor. The inspector may at any time, when in his discretion the good of the service
requires, change a deputy inspector from one district to another, or reassign the dis
tricts of the State among the several deputy inspectors under his charge. H e may
at any time, when the conditions are changed or in his discretion the good of the
service requires, b y a like order filed with the governor, redivide the State in inspec
tion districts, changing the territory embraced within the several districts as to him
may seem advisable.
Approved May 15, 1903.
P a g e 194.— Free public employment offices.
S ec tio n 1. Free employment offices are hereby created as follows: One in each
city of not less than fifty thousand population, and three in each city containing a
population of one million or over, for the purpose of receiving applications of persons
seeking employment, and applications of persons seeking to employ labor. Such
offices shall be designated ana known as Illinois Free Employment Offices.
Sec. 2. W ithin sixty days after this act shall have been in force, the State board
of commissioners of labor shall recommend, and the governor, with the advice and
consent of the senate, shall appoint a superintendent and assistant superintendent
and a clerk for each of the offices created by section 1 of this act, w ho shall devote
their entire time to the duties of their respective offices. The assistant superintend
ent or the clerk shall in each case be a woman. The tenure of such appointment
shall be two years, unless sooner removed for cause. The salary of each superin
tendent shall be fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars per annum, the salary of such assist
ant superintendent shall be one thousand two hundred (1,200) dollars per annum.
The salary of such clerk shall be one thousand (1,000) dollars per annum, together
with proper amounts for defraying the necessary costs of equipping and maintaining
the respective offices.
S ec. 3. The superintendent of each such free employment office shall, within sixty
days after appointment, open an office in such locality as shall have been agreed
upon between such superintendent and the secretary of the bureau of labor statis
tics, as being most appropriate for the purpose intended; such office to be provided
with a sufficient number of rooms and apartments to enable him to provide, and
he shall so provide, a separate room or apartment for the use of women registering
for situations or help. Upon the outside of each such office, in position and manner
to secure the fullest public attention, shall be placed a sign w hich shall read in the
English language, Illinois Free Em ployment Office, and the same shall appear either
upon the outside windows or upon signs in such other languages as the location of
each such office shall render advisable. The superintendent of each such free
LABOR LAWS---- ILLINOIS---- ACTS OF 1903.
699
employment office shall receive and record in books kept for that purposes [purpose],
names of all persons applying for employment or help, designating opposite the
names and addresses of each applicant, the character of employment or help desired.
Separate registers for applicants for employment shall be kept, showing the age, sex,
nativity, trade or occupation of each applicant, the cause and duration of nonem
ployment, whether married or single, the number of dependent children, together
with such other facts as may be required b y the bureau of labor statistics to be used
by said bureau: Provided , That no special registers shall be open to public inspec
tion at any time, and that such statistical and sociological data as the bureau of labor
may require shall be held in confidence b y said bureau, and so published as not to
reveal the identity of any one: A n d, provided further, That any applicant who shall
decline to furnish answers as to the questions contained in special registers shall not
thereby forfeit any rights to any employment the office might secure.
Sec. 4. Each such superintendent shall report on Thursday of each week to the
State bureau of labor statistics the number of applications for positions and for help
received during the preceding week, and the number of positions secured, also those
unfilled applications remaining on the books at the beginning of the week. It shall also
show the number and character of the positions secured during the preceding week.
Upon receipt of these lists, and not later than Saturday o f each week, the secretary of
the said bureau of labor statistics shall cause to be printed a sheet showing separately,
and in combination, the lists received from all such free employment offices.
Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of each such superintendent of a free employment
office to immediately put himself in communication with the principal manufacturers,
merchants and other employers of labor, and to use all diligence in securing the
cooperation of the said employers of labor, with the purposes and objects of said
employment offices. To this end it shall be competent for such superintendents to
advertise in the columns of newspapers, or other medium, for such situations as he
has applicants to fill, and he may advertise in a general way for the cooperation of
large contractors and employers in such trade journals or special publication as reach
such employers, whether such trade or special journals are published within the
State of Illinois or not.
Sec. 6 It shall be the duty of each such superintendent to make report to the
State bureau of labor statistics annually, not later than December first of each year,
concerning the work of his office for the year ending October first of the same year,
together with a statement of the expenses of the same, including the charges of an
interpreter when necessary, and such report shall be published by the said bureau
of labor statistics annually with its coal report. Each such superintendent shall
also perform such other duties in the collection of statistics of labor as the secretary
of the bureau of labor statistics may require.
Sec. 7. N o fee or compensation shall be charged or received, directly or indirectly,
from persons applying for employment or help through said free employment offices,
and any superintendent, assistant superintendent or clerk, who shall accept, directly
or indirectly, any fee or compensation from any applicant or from his or her repre
sentative, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be
fined not less than twenty-five nor more than fifty dollars and imprisoned in the
county jail not more than thirty days.
Sec. 8. The term, 4‘ applicant for employment,” as used in this act, shall be con
strued to mean any person seeking work of any lawful character, and “ applicant for
help” shall mean any person or persons seeking help in any legitimate enterprise;
arid nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the meaning of the term work to
manual occupation, but it shall include professional service, and all other legitimate
service.
Sec. 9. N o person, firm or corporation in this State shall open, operate or main
tain a private employment agency for hire, or where a fee is charged to either appli
cant for employment or for help without first obtaining a license for the same from
the State commissioners of labor. Such license fee, in cities of fifty thousand (50,000)
population and over, shall be fifty dollars ($50) per annum. In all cities containing
less than fifty thousand (50,000) population a uniform fee of twenty-five dollars ($25)
per annum will be required. Every license shall contain a designation of the city,
street and number of the building in which the licensed party conducts said employ
ment agency. The license, together with a copy of this act, shall be posted in a
conspicuous place in each and every employment agency. No agency shall print,
publish or paint on any sign, window, or insert in any newspaper or publication, a
name similar to that of the Illinois Free Employment Office. The commissioners of
labor shall require with each applicant for a license a bond in the penal sum of five hun
dred dollars ($500), with one or more sureties, to be approved by the said commis
sioners, and conditioned that the obligor will not violate any of the duties, terms,
.
700
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
conditions, provisions or requirements of this act. The said commissioners are
authorized to cause an action or actions to he brought on said bond in the name of
the people of the State of Illinois for any violation of any of its conditions, and they
may also revoke, upon a full hearing, any license, whenever, in their judgment, the
party licensed shall have violated any ot the provisions of this act. It shall be the
duty of every licensed agency to keep a register, in w hich shall be entered the name
and address of every applicant.
Such licensed agency shall also enter into a reg
ister the name and address of every person who shall make application for help or
servants; and the name and nature of the employment for w hich such help shall be
wanted. Such register shall, at all reasonable hours, be open to the inspection and
examination of the commissioners of labor or their agents. W here a registration fee
is charged for receiving or filing applications for employment or help, said fee shall
in no case exceed the sum of two dollars ($2), for w hich a receipt shall be given, in
w hich shall be stated the name of the applicant, the amount of the fee, the date,
the name or character of the work or situation to be procured. In case the said
applicant shall not obtain a situation or employment through such licensed agency
within one month after registration as aforesaid, then said licensed agency shall
forthwith repay and return to such applicant, upon demand being made therefor,
the full amount of the fee paid or delivered by said applicant to said licensed agency,
provided that such demand be made within thirty (30) days after the expiration of
the period aforesaid. No agency shall send or cause to be sent any female help or
servants to any place of bad repute, house of ill-fame or assignation house, or to any
house or place of amusement kept for immoral purposes. No such licensed agency
shall publish or cause to be published any false or fraudulent notice or advertisement,
or to give any false information, or to make any false promise concerning or relating
to work or employment to anyone w ho shall register for employment, and no licensed
agency shall make any false entries in the register to be kept as herein provided.
No person, firm or corporation shall conduct the business of any employment office
in, or in connection with, any place where intoxicating liquors are sold.
Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the commissioners of labor, and the secretary
thereof, to enforce this act. When informed of any violation, it shall be their duty
to institute criminal proceedings for the enforcement of its penalties before any court
of competent jurisdiction. A ny person convicted of a violation of the provisions of
this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less [than] fifty
dollars ($50) nor more than one hundred (100) dollars for each offense, or by
imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding six (6) months, or both,
at the discretion of the court.
Sec. 11. A private employment agency is defined and interpreted to mean any
person, firm or corporation furnishing employment or help or giving information as
to where employment or help may be secured, or who shall display any employment
sign or bulletin, or through the medium of any card, circular or pamphlet, ottering
employment or help, shall be deemed an employment agency, and subject to the
provisions of this act, whether a fee or commission is charged or not: Provided , That
charitable organizations are not included.
Sec. 12. A ll m oney or moneys received from fees and fines shall be held b y the
said commissioners of labor, and shall constitute a fund for the purpose of enforcing
the provisions of this act; and the said commissioners shall, at the end of each fiscal
year, make an account of said fund and pay into the State treasury whatever balance
shall remain after paying the necessary disbursements for the purpose of enforcing
the provisions of this act.
Sec. 13. A ll printing, blanks, blank books, stationery and such other supplies as
may be necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the offices herein created
shall be furnished by the secretary of state upon requisition for the same made by
the superintendents of the several offices.
Approved May 11, 1903.
P a g e 198.— Payment o f wages.
S e ctio n 1. It shall be unlawful for any corporatian doing business within this State
to withhold from any of its laborers, servants or employees any part or per cent of
the wages earned b y such laborer, servant or employee, beyond the date of the regu
lar pay day of said corporation, under the guise or pretext, that the amount of wages
so withheld, is to be given or presented to such laborer, servant or employee as a
present or gratuity from said corporation, at the expiration of any future date, on
condition that the services of such laborer, servant or employee have been performed
to the entire satisfaction of said corporation, or upon condition that such laborer,
servant or employee shall, unless sooner discharged by said corporation, remain in
LABOR LAWS— ILLINOIS— ACTS OP 1903.
701
its em ploy until the expiration of some future date designated by said corporation,
or under any other similar pretext or condition, but all such wages shall be paid in
full by said corporation on its regular pay day: Provided , That nothing in this act
contained shall be held to abridge the right of any corporation not making or requir
ing contracts of the class specified above, to make such contract or arrangement as
may be legal, concerning the payment of wages to employees: A n d provided further,
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to affect the right of any corporation to
contract for the retention of a part of the wages of said laborers, servants and employ
ees for the purpose of giving to said servants, laborers and employees insurance,
hospital, sick or other similar relief.
Sec. 2. A ll contracts or agreements of the kind and character referred to and
described in section 1 of this act, hereafter made by any corporation doing business
in this State, are hereby declared to be illegal, against public policy and null and
void, and no such agreement or contract shall constitute a defense upon the part of
any such corporation, to any action brought by any such laborer, servant or employee,
for the recovery of any wages due him, and withheld from him by any such corpora
tion, contrary to the provisions of this act.
Sec. 3. A n y such corporation doing business in this State, who shall violate the
provisions of this act, shall, for each offense, forfeit the sum of two hundred dollars
to be recovered from it in any [an] action of debt in the name of the people of the
State o f Illinois, or by any person w ho may sue for the same.
Sec. 4. It is hereby made the duty of the several state’ s attorneys of this State in
their respective counties, to prosecute all actions commenced in the name of the peo
ple of the Skate of Illinois, under the provisions of this act.
Approved May 14, 1903.
P age 217.— Exem ption o f wages from garnishment.
Section 1. Wages earned out of this State, and payable out of this State, shall be
exempt from attachment or garnishment in all cases where the cause of action arose
out o f this State, unless the defendant in the attachment or garnishment suit is per
sonally served with process; and, if the writ of attachment or garnishment is not
personally served on the defendant, the court, justice of the peace or police mag
istrate issuing the writ of attachment or garnishment, shall not entertain jurisdiction
of the cause, but shall dismiss the suit at the cost of the plaintiff.
Approved May 13, 1903.
P age 217.— Right o f action fo r injuries causing death.
Section 1. Section two (2) of an act entitled, “ An act requiring compensation for
causing death by wrongful act, neglect or default,” [shall] be amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 2. Every such action shall be brought by, and in the names of the personal
representatives of such deceased person, and the amount recovered in every such
action shall be for the exclusive benefit of the widow and next of kin of such deceased
person, and shall be distributed to such widow and next of kin, in the proportion
provided b y law in relation to the distribution of personal property left b y persons
dying intestate; and in every such action, the jury may give such damages as they
shall deem a fair and just compensation with reference to the pecuniary injuries
resulting from such death, to the wife and next of kin of such deceased person not
exceeding the sum of ten thousand dollars: P rodded, That every such action shall be
commenced within one year after the death of such person: P rodded further, That no
action shall be brought or prosecuted in this State, to recover damages for a death
occurring outside of this State, and that the increase from five thousand to ten thou
sand dollars in the amount hereby authorized to be recovered, shall apply only, in
cases when death hereafter occurs.
Approved May 13, 1903.
P age 250.— Mine regulations— Doortenders.
Section 1. Section nineteen (19), paragraph f, of an act entitled, “ An act to revise
the laws in relation to coal mines and subjects relating thereto, ” * * * [shall] be
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 19. Trappers.] (f.) A t all principal doorways, through which cars are hauled,
trips of cars are passing^to and from the workings!6 Places for shefter shall be pro
vided at such doorways to protect the attendants from being injured by the cars
702
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
while attending to their duties: Provided , That in any or all mines, where doors
are constructed in such a manner as to open and close automatically, attendants and
places for shelter shall not be required.
Approved May 13, 1903.
P age 250.— Mine regulations— Board o f mine inspectors.
Section 1. Section 6, [paragraph a] of an act entitled, “ An act to revise the law in
relation to coal mines and subjects relating thereto,” * * * is hereby amended to
read as follows:
(a) This board shall be composed of five members, two of whom shall be practical
coal miners, one a practicing hoisting engineer, and two coal operators, one of whom
shall be an expert mining engineer.
Approved May 14, 1903.
P ag e 252.— Mine regulations— Explosives.
Section 1. In all coal mines in this State, where coal is blasted, the quantity of
powder used in the preparation of shots shall not in any case exceed sixty inches in
coal seams five and one-half feet and over; and shall not exceed forty-eight inches in
coal seams under five and one-half feet in thickness.
S ec. 2. For the purpose of determining the quantity of powder, prescribed in sec
tion one (1) of this act, to be used in the preparation of any given shot, an inch of
powder shall be one lineal inch, one and one-half inches in diameter, and it shall be
measured in a metallic charger not to exceed twelve inches in length and one and
one-half inches in diameter.
S ec. 3. No person shall drill or shoot what is known as a “ dead” hole for any
part of its depth; nor tamp any drill hole with drill dust, or other combustible
material.
Sec. 4. A ny violation of any of the conditions or requirements of this act shall be
deemed a misdemeanor, punishable b y a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10) and
not exceeding one hundred dollars, ($100), or by imprisonment in the county jail
for a period not exceeding three months or both, at the discretion of the court.
Approved May 14, 1903.
P ag e 252.— Mine regulations— Wash rooms.
S ection 1. Every owner or operator of a coal mine in this State shall provide and
maintain a wash room at a convenient place at the top of each mine for the use of
the miners and other employees of such mine; and such wash room shall be so
arranged that such miners ana other employees may hang therein their clothes, for
the purpose of drying the same.
Sec . 2. A n y mine owner or operator who shall fail or refuse to com ply with
the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on convic
tion thereof, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars, and shall stand com
mitted to the county jail until such fine is fully paid.
Approved May 14, 1903.
P ag e 289.— Protection o f employees on street railways— Inclosed platforms.
Section 1. Every cable, grip, electric, horse or other street car, other than trail
cars, w hich are attached to m otor cars, shall be provided during the months of
November, December, January, February and March of each year, at both ends with
a screen or vestibule constructed of glass or other material, which shall fully and
completely protect the driver or motorman or gripman or conductor, or other per
sons stationed on both ends and guiding or directing the motor power b y which they
are propelled from wind and storm.
S ec. 2. A n y person, agent, or officer of any association or corporation violating the
provisions of this act shall, upon conviction, be fined in any sum not less than $25
nor more than $100 for each day each car belonging to and used by any such person,
association or corporation is directed or permitted to remain unprovided with the
screen required in section 1 of this act; and it is hereby made the duty of the prose
cuting attorney of each county in this State, to institute the necessary proceedings to
enforce the provisions o f this act.
Approved May 11, 1903.
LEADING ARTICLES IN PAST NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN,
No.
1. Private and public debt in the United States, by George K. Holmes.
Em ployer and employee under the common law, by V. H. Olmsted and S. D.
Fessenden.
No. 2. The poor colonies of Holland, by J. Howard Gore, Ph. D.
The industrial revolution in Japan, b y William Eleroy Curtis.
Notes concerning the money of the U. S. and other countries, by W. C. Hunt.
The wealth and receipts and expenses of the U. S., by W. M. Steuart.
No. 3. Industrial communities: Coal Mining Co. of Anzin, by W . F. Willoughby.
No. 4. Industrial communities: Coal Mining Co. of Blanzy, by W . F. W illoughby.
The sweating system, by Henry White.
No. 5. Convict labor.
Industrial communities: Krupp Iron and Steel Works, by W. F. Willoughby.
No. 6. Industrial communities: Familistere Society of Guise, by W . F. W illoughby.
Cooperative distribution, by Edward W . Bemis, Ph. D.
No. 7. Industrial communities: Various communities, by W . F. Willoughby.
Rates of wages paid under public and private contract, by Ethelbert Stewart.
No. 8. Conciliation and arbitration in the boot and shoe industry, by T. A. Carroll.
Railway relief departments, by Em ory R. Johnson, Ph. I).
No. 9. The padrone system and padrone banks, by John Koren.
The Dutch Society for General Welfare, by J. Howard Gore, Ph. D.
No. 10. Condition of the Negro in various cities.
Building and loan associations.
No. 11. Workers at gainful occupations at censuses of 1870, 1880, and 1890, by W. C.
Hunt.
Public baths in Europe, by Edward Mussey Hartwell, Ph. D., M. D.
No. 12. The inspection of factories and workshops in the U. S., by W . F. Willoughby.
Mutual rights and duties of parents ana children, guardianship, etc., under
the law, by F. J. Stimson.
The municipal or cooperative restaurant of Grenoble, France, by C. O. Ward.
No. 13. The anthracite mine laborers, by G. 0 . Virtue, Ph. D.
No. 14. The Negroes of Farmville, V a.: A social study, by W. E. B. Du Bois, Ph. D.
Incomes, wages, and rents in Montreal, by Herbert Brown Ames, B. A.
No. 15. Boarding homes and clubs for working women, by Mary S. Fergusson.
The trade-union label, b y John Graham Brooks.
No. 16. Alaskan gold fields and opportunities for capital and labor, by S. C. Dunham.
No. 17. Brotherhood relief and insurance of railway employees, by E. R. Johnson,
Ph. D.
The nations of Antwerp, by J. Howard Gore, Ph. D.
No. 18. Wages in the United States and Europe, 1870 to 1898.
No. 19. Alaskan gold fields and opportunities for capital and labor, by S. C. Dunham.
Mutual relief and benefit associations in the printing trade, by W. S. Waudby.
No. 20. Condition of railway labor in Europe, by Walter E. Weyl, Ph. D.
No. 21. Pawnbroking in Europe and the United States, by W. R. Patterson, Ph. D.
No. 22. Benefit features of American trade unions, by Edward W . Bemis, Ph. D.
The Negro in the black belt: Some social sketches, by W. E. B. DuBois, Ph. D.
Wages m Lyon, France, 1870 to 1896.
No. 23. Attitude of w om ens clubs, etc., toward social economics, by Ellen M. Henrotin.
The production of paper and pulp in the U. S. from Jan. 1 to June 30, 1898.
No. 24. Statistics of cities.
No. 25. Foreign labor laws: Great Britain and France, by W. F. Willoughby.
No. 26. Protection of workmen in their employment, by Stephen D. Fessenden.
Foreign labor laws: Belgium and Switzerland, by W. F. Willoughby.
No. 27. Wholesale prices: 1890 to 1899, by Roland P. Falkner, Ph. D.
Foreign labor laws: Germany, by W . F. W illoughby.
No. 28. Voluntary conciliation and arbitration in Great Britain, by J. B. McPherson.
System of adjusting wages, etc., in certain rolling mills, by J. H. Nutt.
Foreign labor laws: Austria, by W. F. W illoughby.
No. 29. Trusts and industrial combinations, b y J. W . Jenks, Ph. D.
The Y ukon and Nome gold regions, by S. C. Dunham.
Labor Day, b y Miss M. C. de Graffenried.
No. 30. Trend of wages from 1891 to 1900.
Statistics of cities.
Foreign labor laws: Various European countries, by W . F. W illoughby.
No. 31. Betterment of industrial conditions, by V . H. Olmsted.
Present status of employers’ liability in the U. S., by S. D. Fessenden.
Condition of railway labor in Italy, by Dr. Luigi Einaudi.
No. 32. Accidents to labor as regulated by law in the U. S., b y W . F. W illoughby.
Prices of commodities and rates of wages in Manila.
The Negroes of Sandy Spring, M d .: A social study, b y W . T. Thom, Ph. D.
The British workmen’ s compensation act and its operation, by A. M. Low.
No. 33. Foreign labor laws: Australasia and Canada, b y W . F. W illoughby.
The British conspiracy and protection of property act and its operation, by
A. M. Low.
No. 34. Labor conditions in Porto Rico, by Azel Ames, M. D.
Social economics at the Paris Exposition, b y Prof. N. P. Gilman.
The workmen’ s compensation act of Holland.
No. 35. Cooperative communities in the United States, b y Rev. Alexander Kent.
The Negro landholder of Georgia, by W . E. B. Du Bois, Ph. D.
No. 36. Statistics of cities.
Statistics of Honolulu, H. I.
No. 37. Railway employees in the United States, by Samuel McCune Lindsay, Ph. D.
The Negroes of Litwalton, V a.: A social study of the ‘ ‘ Oyster Negro,” by
William Taylor Thom, Ph. D.
No. 38. Labor conditions in M exico, by Walter E. Weyl, Ph. D.
The Negroes of Cinclare Central Factory and Calumet Plantation, La., by
J. Bradford Laws.
No. 39. Course of wholesale prices, 1890 to 1901.
No. 40. Present condition of the hand-working and domestic industries of Germany,
by Henry J. Harris, Ph. D.
W orkmen’ s compensation acts of foreign countries, by Adna F. Weber.
No. 41. Labor conditions in Cuba, by Victor S. Clark, Ph. D.
Beef prices, by Fred C. Croxton.
No. 42. Statistics o f cities.
Labor conditions in Cuba.
No. 43. Report to the President on anthracite coal strike, by Carroll D. Wright.
No. 44. Factory sanitation and labor protection, by C. F. W . Doehring, Ph. D.
No. 45. Course of wholesale prices, 1890 to 1902.
No. 46. Report of Anthracite Coal Strike Commission.
No. 47. Report o f the Commissioner of Labor on Hawaii.
No. 48. Farm colonies of the Salvation Army, by Commander Booth Tucker.
The Negroes of Xenia, Ohio, by Richard R. Wright, jr., B. D.
No. 49. Cost of living.
Labor conditions in New Zealand, by Victor S. Clark, Ph. D.
No. 50. Labor unions and British industry, by A. Maurice Low.
Land values and ownership in Philadelphia, by A. F. Davies.
No. 51. Course of wholesale prices, 1890 to 1903.
The union movement among coal mine workers, by Frank Julian Warne,
Ph. D.
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