To: Reporting staff, New York Examiner
From: Mr. John Newsworthy, Editor
Re: Acquisition of photographs
Date: June 20, 1911
A group of very intriguing photographs has recently reached my desk. They were sent by the National Child Labor Committee and taken by their talented investigative photographer, Lewis Hine. Hine's photographs tell the story of children working long hours in factories, mills, farms, canneries and on the streets across our fair country.
Though Mr. Hine's photographs are compelling on their own, they come to us with very little information; in most cases simply labels identifying the site and the date. (Attached you will find a letter from Mr. Hine.)
It is our responsibility as journalists to ensure that these powerful photographs reach the attention of our readers. It is important that the issue of child labor is explored and fairly explained. I am suggesting a special section of our newspaper focusing on the issue of child labor today and I expect each of our staff members to use his or her individual talents to present the situation to the public.
My suggestions for the section:
Editorial staff: prepare a response to the photographs. We will need an editorial to cover each side of the issue.
Photodocumentary: prepare a two-page spread using the photographs. In lengthy captions clearly describe what you see as well as any additional evidence you pull from your research to describe the particular work setting.
Historians: Child labor is not a new issue. Our readers will need to understand the background of this issue. Mr. Dickens described the conditions of working children in England in the past century. The section would be enhanced with the addition of a timeline which traces the issue of child labor through the ages. Be sure to include the economic or social conditions which made it necessary for children to work. Add images to make your work more dramatic.
News writers: Some of you will be going out in the field to interview parents, employers, legislators, and the children themselves. I would like someone to try to track down and interview Mr. Hine about his own feelings about his work.
Good luck. Remember to confer with me regularly so we can discuss your progress.
The Chief
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