ChildChild LaborLaborPHOTOS BY LEWIS HINE

"There is work that profits children, and there is work that brings profit only to employers. The object of employing children is not to train them, but to get high profits from their work."

-- Lewis Hine, 1908

Furman Owens, 12 years old. Can't read. Doesn't Furman Owens, 12 years old. Can't read. Doesn't know his A,B,C's. Said, "Yes, I want to learn but know his A,B,C's. Said, "Yes, I want to learn but

can't when I work all the time." Been in the mills 4 can't when I work all the time." Been in the mills 4 years, 3 years in the Olympia Mill. Columbia, S.C. years, 3 years in the Olympia Mill. Columbia, S.C.

Some boys and girls were so small they had to Some boys and girls were so small they had to climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken

threads and to put back the empty bobbinsthreads and to put back the empty bobbins

She was 51 inches high. Has been in the mill one year. Sometimes She was 51 inches high. Has been in the mill one year. Sometimes works at night. Runs 4 sides - 48 cents a day. When asked how old works at night. Runs 4 sides - 48 cents a day. When asked how old she was, she hesitated, then said, "I don't remember," then added she was, she hesitated, then said, "I don't remember," then added

confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but do just the same."confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but do just the same."

Tony Casale, age 11, been selling 4 years. Sells sometimes until 10 Tony Casale, age 11, been selling 4 years. Sells sometimes until 10 p.m. His paper told me the boy had shown him the marks on his arm p.m. His paper told me the boy had shown him the marks on his arm where his father had bitten him for not selling more papers. He (the where his father had bitten him for not selling more papers. He (the

boy) said, "Drunken men say bad words to us." -boy) said, "Drunken men say bad words to us." -Hartford, Conn..

Michael McNelis, age 8, a newsboy [with photographer Lewis Hine]. This boy has just recovered from his second attack of pneumonia. Was found selling papers in a big rain storm.

–Philadelphia, Pa.

View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pa. Coal Co. The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust penetrated the

utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or kicking them into obedience.

-S. Pittston, Pa.

A young driver in the Brown mine. Has been driving one year. Works 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

-Brown W. Va.

Manuel. a young shrimp picker, age Manuel. a young shrimp picker, age 55, and a mountain of child , and a mountain of child labor oyster shells behind him. He worked last year. Understands labor oyster shells behind him. He worked last year. Understands not a word of English. not a word of English. -Biloxi, Miss.-Biloxi, Miss.

A young A young shoe-shiner in shoe-shiner in New York City.New York City.

Mrs. Battaglia with Tessie, age 12, and Tony, age 7. Mrs. Battaglia works in a garment shop except on Saturdays, when the children sew with her at home. Get 2 or 3 cents a pair finishing men's pants. Said they earn $1 to $1.50 on Saturday. Father disabled and can earn very little. -New York City.

Ages range from 7 to 12. They Ages range from 7 to 12. They live near the factory. The 7 year live near the factory. The 7 year old boy in front, Byron old boy in front, Byron Hamilton, has a badly cut finger Hamilton, has a badly cut finger but helps his brother regularly. but helps his brother regularly. Behind him is his brother Behind him is his brother George, age 11, who cut his George, age 11, who cut his finger half off while working. finger half off while working. Ralph, on the left, displays his Ralph, on the left, displays his knife and also a badly cut knife and also a badly cut finger. They and many finger. They and many youngsters said they were youngsters said they were always cutting themselves. always cutting themselves. George earns a $1 some days, George earns a $1 some days, usually 75 cents.usually 75 cents.

Some of the others say they Some of the others say they earn a $1 when they work earn a $1 when they work all day. At times they start all day. At times they start at 7 a.m. and work all day at 7 a.m. and work all day until midnight.until midnight.

Fish cutters at a Canning Co. in Maine.

Photographs courtesy of the History Place