CHAPTER VI
A PROGRAMME FOR CHILD LABOR REFORM
I. The Campaign for Negative Legislation
A vigorous attempt has been made to cope with the child labor problem by organizing a Child Labor Campaign, the object of which may be summed up in one word—Legislation. Philanthropists, social workers, and public-spirited citizens, roused by the tales of child work in mine and factory, have turned eagerly to the American cure-all, negative legislation, and have secured the passage of laws which forbid children under a certain age to work, and which penalize the employer who violates the law.
Such laws are demanded and enacted in the name of the children, but do the children benefit by their existence? Suppose a law to be passed and enforced which results, as
