LAD #29: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

Congress passed the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act in 1916 after it was proposed by Senator Beveridge. The act controlled child labor in factories by using the federal government to regulate interstate commerce. The act also prevented the sale of products from any company that employed children under the age of 14, and any mine that employed children under the age of 16. Additionally, it banned the sale of products from any business that had children under the age of 16 working the night shift or more than 8 hours per day. Although it was approved by President Wilson, the Supreme Court declared it was unconstitutional due the the Hammer v. Dagenhart case. The public strongly supported child labor reform, but it still took a long time to implement. The Supreme Court didn't revoke its declaration regarding the case until 1941.