National Child Labor Committee
New York, March 3, 1911.
My dear Judge Lindsey:
You may imagine the consternation among some of our people when they learned in the New York papers last Tuesday morning that you spoke on Monday at the meeting of the [Theater] Trust, which is campaigning to break down the child labor laws of Massachusetts, Illinois and Louisiana.
Personally, I have no doubt that you refrained from committing yourself to the program they have in hand and were probably led into the meeting through a misconception of its real purpose. We tried Tuesday and since to get into communication with you here, but have been unable to find where you are stopping.
I felt that I wanted to write you that you have helped by doing this to create a pretty difficult situation. It has been our policy not to push the matter of [theater] regulation, and no steps have been taken to that end this winter. But now that the stage people are determining to come out aggressively and attempt to break down laws that have been held by the supreme courts of two states, there will probably be nothing left for us to do but oppose their policy.
Of course their opposition is very plausible, as they contend for laws like the one in this city. Those familiar with the operation of the law in New York know it to be one of the worst plans conceivable for protecting children at this point. The investigations we have conducted and which will soon be ready for report, show a situation which I am sure you do not wish to be interpreted as upholding.
If I am right in my belief that you stand with us for the adequate protection of the child whether the cotton manufacturer, the glass manufacturer, the coal trust or the [theater] trust wants to employ him, then it seems to me but fair to suggest that you make a public statement which will show that you are not at variance with the policy of this Committee and will take from our opponents the joy they are now realizing from exploiting your Monday's speech.
At this very time Miss Addams is likely to have to cancel her engagement to speak at our annual meeting because the Theatre Trust is trying to break down the child labor law in Illinois, and she is spending [page 2] night and day in trying to maintain it. The report of your speech on Monday has seriously complicated her work.
With cordial regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
General Secretary.
Comments