Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-10
BEATEN BY HIS FATHER
10
Tommy TomasO, an Iaaian Lad, in oour,
for Protection.
The Father Pleads Lack of Jurfsdic.
tion of the codrf-;Temporary
Order MADE.

Tommy Tomaso, a little italian boy, aged
nine years, was today Brought before Judge
Kimball by Agent Parknan and Assistant
Agent Douglas of the board of children's
guardians, the complaint being that he was
not properly cared for by his father. Judge
Kimball made an order placing the boy
temporarily in charge of the board, to
await further investigation as to some
claims made on behalf of the father by Mr..
Mareno, who acted as interpreter in the
case.
The evidence which was developed dur
ing the hearing presented some incidents
the like of which have seldom, if ever been
brought out In the local Police Court 1t
was alleged by a number of witnesses that
the boy had been frequently beaten by the
father because he did not bring home at
night a stipulated amount of money 1t
was stated on the boys authority by these
witnesses that they had frequently been
told by him that the father gave him 10
cents in the morning and required him to
return 80 at night 1t was the rule, the
boy said, that if he did not get home by
half-Dast o'clock or o'clock, with the
money. for the father to beat him upon
his return, and if he remained out to a
later hour until he made the stipulated
amount he was then beaten for staying out
late.
Marks on His Head.
Judge Kimhall examined the bows head
and found marks upon it. which looked as
though they had been inflicted by some
blunt instrument, and The boy said that it
was done by his father striking him with
big key. The boy is an unusually brig hit
lad, and. although he has attended school
but three months in his life and never
since his father brought him to Washing
ton, about eighteen months ago he is
able to write and speak English remarka-
Dly well. A gentleman present told Judge
kimball that he was so impressed with
the boys story and from what he had
learned by investigation about him that
he would, If the judge would permit it,
give bond to send the boy to school until
ne reached an age at which he could earn
his own living.
The father. who was sworn through the
Interpreter, being unable to speak any
English, although he has been in this
country for a considerable time, stated
he was anxious to return to Italy. where
the boys mother is, and that he wanted
to take the boy with him. The mother
he said, was crying night and day for her
boy, and he claimed to be the owner of
at least $4,000 worth of property.
The Judges Retort.
Judge Kimball replied to this that If lie
was worth that much money there was so
much the less excuse for him compelling
the boy to sell papers and for not sending
case, and said he did not feel justified in
returning the boy to the parent. Mr.
Moreno then, in very excited manner,
informed Judge KimbaH that he the judse,
had no jurisdiction in the matter; that the
father of the boy was7a citizen of Italy
never having been natlraliZed, or eX-
pressed any intention Of becoming a citizen
OF the United States; that he had a right
10 take the boy and return to Italy as he
desired TO do, and for which country he
wished to start today Judge kimbau an
swered that this raised d question that
he would not dispose of without further
investigation and Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney Baker suggested to the court
that an order be made temporarily placing
the boy in the hands of the board of emil
dren's guardians; that Che italian minister
be notified of the case, ana that if The
minister is willing Is give his promise
that tie boy shall be- sent back to Italy
there would be no objection on the part of
the government, so far as the United
States brancn OF the Police Court is con-
cerned. u g.. T. II
Judge kimball then made the temporary
order as stated. 49, i-.-'