December 21

Powered by children 7 to 12 years old working dawn to dusk, Samuel Slater’s

thread-spinning factory goes into production in Pawtucket, R.I., launching

the Industrial Revolution in America. By 1830, 55 per cent of the mill

workers in the state were youngsters, many working for less than $1 per week

- 1790

_[Your heart will be broken by Kids at Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade

Against Child Labor’s photographs of children at backbreaking, often

life-threatening work, and the accompanying commentary by author Russell

Freedman. Photographer Lewis Hine -- who himself died in poverty in 1940 --

did as much, and perhaps more, than any social critic in the early part of

the 20th century to expose the abuse of children, as young as three and

four, by American capitalism. These blatant horrors are a thing of the past

in many countries, but still exist in the world (did you ever wonder how

Wal-Mart offers some prices so low?). Especially recommended for children

ages 8-12, grades 4, 5 and 6, but gripping for readers of any age.

More info & ammo for unionists is available

 online from Union Communication Services.

 http://www.unionist.com/