New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-16
VACATION BREADWINNERS.
SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO SPEND THE
SUMMER IN SHOPS AND STORES.
THE FEW DOLLARS EARNED ny THEM VEL
COME TO MANY FAMILY PUksE-iS-
SUING CERTIFICATES OF PERMISSION.

SUING CERTIFICATES OF PERMISSION.
Vacation time, which means season OF out
ings. pleasure and recreation to most people
has a different Significance to hundreds OF chill
dren who take advantage Of the vacation laws
and nrG employment in stores and shops during
the time that the schools are closed. While their
companions are enjoying themselves and laying
up a store Of strength for the next cchool sea-
SON. they take the places Of the cash girls and
boys. helpers in box shops. white goods fac
tories, millinery stores. flower works and other
places Of business, while the older and regular
employees are enjoying their vacations.
The law on the subject Of the employment
Of women and children in mercantile establish
ments provides that a child under the age Of
fourteen years shall not be employed in any
mercantile establishment. except that a child
upward of twelve years Of age may be employed
therein during the vacation OF the public
schools OF the city or district where such estab
lshment is situated" The law makes the fol-
Lowing provision on the same subject
Children OF the age OF twelve years or more
who can read and write simple sentences in the
English language may be employed in mercan-
tile establishments during the vacation OF the
public schools in the city school district
where such children reside, upon complying
with all the provisions OF this section. except
that requiring school attendance. Certificates.
to be designated as vacation certificates may
be issued 10 such children in the same form,
containing the same statements and issued by
the same officers as the other certificates re-
CURED by this article. Such vacation certificate
shall specify the time in which the child may
be employed IN a mercantile establishment
which in no case shall be other than the time
in which the public schools where such children
reside closed for vacation.
HUNDREDS OF APPLICATIONS.
AS soon as the schools closed their doors
for the summer months the application room on
the top floor of the Criminal Courts Building be-
came crowded with children. who went there to
receive from the offic' rs OF the Health Depart
ment the necessary certificate which entities the
under age child" to become a breadwinner.
Al, the door which leads to the room a police
officer is stationed. who allows only such chill
dren to enter as are accompanied by parents or
legal guardians. Having passed into the room
the child receives an application blank the color
of which shows whether the little vacation
worker wishes to become q helper in O store or
in a factory. A part OF the application Is the
affidavit OF parent guardian person stand
ing In parental relation to the applicant" IN
which the name. age, residence place CT birth
Of the child, etc. are given. The children
with their parents. take their places the
benches and wait until the inspectors who with
their clerks and assistants. sit on a raised plat
form at one end OF the room. are ready to make
the necessary examinations preparatory TO
passing upon The applications. There are few
places whore one may see better types OF the
other half than in that room. The applicants