Owen Reed Lovejoy to Jane Addams, August 6, 1908

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National Child Labor Committee
105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK CITY

New York, August 6, 1908.
Dear Friend:

From a number of prominent citizens of your state we have learned that the time seems opportune for a forward movement in Kansas along child labor and compulsory education lines.

The benefit of such advance it plainly can be seen would be of more than state wide value, and would place Kansas in the attitude of doing her share in the general movement to secure a higher standard of laws on this subject in the states immediately adjoining her, and, indeed, throughout the entire country. For these reasons, those of your citizens most actively interested in this work, believe that Kansas Child Labor Committee composed of representative men and woman foremost in the various interests of the state sehould be formed at once.

I write to ask whether you will accept membership on a state committee of about 25 persons? And, if so, whether you could attend a meeting for organization in Topeka, Tuesday August 18?

Your name and influences will be of great values to us even if it is impractical for you to devote much time to the work of the committee. Nor is it expected that it will be possible for the entire membership often to meet. A small executive committee of persons able frequently to gather would of necessity carry a greater portion of the work, though always keeping the general committee informed of any important action pending and submitting same for approval before final movement is had. This plan of organization has the prestige of successful operation to commend it to Kansas.

In this connection the National Committee is glad to be able to inform you that it has been so fortunate as to secure the service of Mr. Stephen P. Morris, who for fourteen years has been actively identified with sociological work. A large portion of this time has been spent as general secretary of the Associated Charities so that he brings to this work a first hand knowledge of the conditions surrounding the child at work. Mr. Morris is now spending a few weeks of the summer in Kansas and will be glad to adapt himself to the convenience of the persons interested. He will be glad to meet with them and give any possible aid by outlining the work of this Committee in other states.

I enclose a list of those who have been invited to [cooperate] in this work, and will welcome any suggestions you may care to make as to additional names if any important industry or section has been over-looked. Please send your reply to Stephen P. Norris, Topeka.

Sincerely yours,
 Owen R. Lovejoy [signed]
General Secretary.
[page 2]
Names suggested for the Kansas Child Labor Committee.

Mrs. W. A. McCarter, 1534 College Ave. Topeka.
Mrs. W. C. Culver  [Topeka]
Hon. R. W. Hoch  [Topeka]
Hon. T. F. Garver  [Topeka]
Mrs. Noble Prentiss  [Topeka]
Rev. Charles M. Sheldon  [Topeka]
Mr. W. L. A. Johnson   [Topeka]
Rev. E. A. Fredenhagen  [Topeka]
Prof. E. T. Fairchild  [Topeka]
Prof. L. D. Whitemore  [Topeka]
Prof. H. W. Charles  [Topeka]
Prof. F. W. Blaskmar     Lawrence
Mr. Arthur Capper     [Lawrence]
Mr. Frank P. MacLennan     Topeka
Mrs. Lee Monroe, 909 Harrison St.  [Topeka]
Prof. R. S. Russ      Pittsburg
Mrs. F. B. Wheeler     [Pittsburg]
Mrs. Alice Haldeman     Girard
Mr. S. A. Branlette, P. O. 287  Columbus
Dr. H. H. Fair     Wichita
Mr. C. Q. Chandler     [Wichita]
Mr. Eugene Ware     Kansas City
Mrs. F. W. Bartlett, 619 Orville Ave.  [Kansas City]
Mrs. Jennette Scott Benton     Fort Scott
Mr. C. H. Danner     [Fort Scott]
Mrs. C. E. Forter,     Marysville
Miss Henrietta Race      Winfield
Mrs. Fannie C. Atchinson     Parsons
Mrs. F. H. Lemon     Leavenwroth
Warden McClaughry     [Leavenwroth]
Mrs. Cora B. Lewis     Kinsley
Mrs. Catherine B. Coffman      Enterprise 
Hon. J. S. Simmons      Hutchinson
Rev. C. A. Richards     [Hutchinson]
Hon. C. A. Smart     Ottawa
Mrs. Charles B. Thomas, 913 Polk St.  [Ottawa]