You ought to be out raising hell. This is the fighting age. Put on your fighting clothes.
-Mother Jones
Friday July 31, 1903
New York City, New York - Letter from Mother Jones to President Roosevelt
New York
July 30
The Hon. Theodore Roosevelt
President of the United States
Oyster Bay, Long Island
Your Excellency-
Twice before have I written to you requesting an audience, that I might lay my mission before you and have your advice in a matter which bears upon the welfare of the whole nation.
I speak of the emancipation from the mills and factories of the hundreds of thousands of young children who are yielding up their lives for the commercial supremacy of the nation.
Failing to receive a reply to either of the letters, I went yesterday to Oyster Bay, taking with me three of these children that they might plead to you personally. Secretary Barnes informed us that before we might hope for an interview with you we must first lay the whole matter before you in a letter. He assured me of its delivery to you personally, and also that it would receive your attention.
I have espoused the cause of the laboring class in general, and of suffering childhood in particular . It was for them that our march of principle was begun. We sought to draw the attention of the public to these little ones, so that sentiment would be aroused and ultimately the children freed from the workshop and sent to schools. I know of no question of to-day that demands from those who have at heart the perpetuity of this republic more attention.
The child of to-day is the man or woman of to-morrow, the one the citizen and the other the mother of still future citizens. I ask, Mr. President, what kind of citizen will be the child who toils twelve hours a day in an unsanitary atmosphere, stunted mentally and physically, and surrounded with often immoral influences. Denied education, he cannot assume the duties of true citizenship, and enfeebled physically, he falls a ready victim to the perverting influences which our present economic conditions have created.
I grant you, Mr. President, that there are State laws which should regulate these matters, but results have proved that they are inadequate. In my little band are three boys, the eldest 11 years of age, who have worked in the mills a year or more, without interference from the authorities. All efforts to bring about reform have failed.
I have been moved to this, Mr. President, because of actual experience in the mills. I have seen little children without the first rudiments of education and no prospect of acquiring any. I have seen little children with hands, fingers and other parts of their bodies mutilated because of their childish ignorance of machinery.
I feel that no nation can be truly great while such conditions exist without attempted remedy.
It is to be hoped that our crusade on behalf of enslaved childhood will stir up a general sentiment and secure the enforcement of the present laws.
But that is not sufficient as this is not alone a question of separate States, but of the whole nation. We come to you as the chief representative of that nation. I believe Federal laws should be passed and enforced governing this evil and including a penalty for violation.
If this is practicable, and I believe you will agree that it is, surely you can advise me of the necessary steps to pursue.
I have with me three children who have walked one hundred miles, serving as living proof of the truth of what I say.
If you decide to see these children, I will bring them before you at any time you may set.
Secretary Barnes has assured me on an early reply, and this should be sent care of the Ashland House, New York City.
Very respectfully yours,
Mother Jones
emphasis added
SOURCES
Mother Jones Speaks
-ed by Philip S Foner
NY, 1983
Note: Foner's source is the
North American
(Philadelphia, PA)
-of July 31, 1903
The Correspondence of Mother Jones
-ed by Edward M Steel
U of Pittsburgh Press, 1985
Note: Steel's source is the
Daily Advertiser
(Newark, NJ)
-of July 31, 1903
Thursday July 31, 1913
Charleston, West Virginia - Mother Jones to Leave Soon for Michigan
Mother Jones is preparing to leave for Michigan on Tuesday where she will lend her assistance to the striking copper miners and the Western Federation of Miners. No doubt she will receive a warm welcome from the 16,000 miners now on strike.
Mother sent this telegram yesterday to William B. Wilson, Secretary of Labor:
Charleston, W Va.
July 30, 1913
W. B. Wilson
Washington, D. C.
Arrange soon as possible go to Michigan, Calumet, Tuesday.
Mother
This telegram refers to efforts by Secretary Wilson to arrange a meeting between Mother Jones and President Wilson, who has, apparently, agreed to meet with her.
SOURCES
History of the Labor Movement in the United States
The AFL in the Progressive Era 1910-1915
-by Philip s Foner
International Publishers, 1980
The Correspondence of Mother Jones
-ed by Edward M Steel
U of Pittsburgh Press, 1985
Wednesday July 31, 2013
From Bloomberg News - "Apple to Probe Claims of Pegatron Labor Violations"
Apple Inc. (AAPL) will investigate allegations by advocacy group China Labor Watch that factories run by Taiwanese supplier Pegatron Corp. (4938) use underage workers, pay insufficient wages and force employees to work overtime.
Read full article here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/...
From Run List:
Posted July 30, 2013
China Labor Watch
http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/
Press release from China Labor Watch
-with link to the report:
http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/...
Work your fingers to the bone
Whadda ya get?
Boney Fingers!
Boney Fingers!
Boney Fingers-Hoyt Axton with Rene Armand
This diary by La Fem put me in mind of this song.
