New-York tribune., 1901-07-02
NO VACATION FOR THEM.
HUNDREDS OF BOYS AND GIRLS ARE
RECEIVING CERTIFICATES DAILY
EETITLING THEM TO WORK IN
SHOPS OR FACTORIES
SHOPS OR FACTORIES.

.,egardless OF the torrid heat yesterday con-
linuous OF youngsters, each carrying a blue
or pink official looking document, was to be seen
emerging from the Department of Health Building.
Fffty-ffth-st- and SiZth-ave. from the time of
opening until the closing hour. They were the
children whom summer means a of toll
and who. while boys and girls favored by fortune
are leaving the city by every train for ten solid
weeks Of fun in the country, will enter the ranks
Of bread winners and gain their first experiences
IN the great world Of labor.
The papers they carried were vacation certih-
Gates, emitting the holders to work in store or
factory. About six hundred such permits were
granted yesterday. only twenty out Of that number
% applicants being rejected The unfortunate ones
failed pass the simple examination in reading
and writing. Fully 70 per cent OF those appearing
before the inspectors yesterday Russian Jews,
and they ranked second only TO the Americans in
reading and penmanship. the Italians coming in
the end Of the line The applicants were all be-
tween the ages Of twelve and sixteen years in
elusive. permit TO work being given TO child
under the former required Of one who had
passed the latter age Each was accompanied by a
parent or guardian The rush began last Friday
afternoon after school, and will continue in gradu-
ally diminishing numbers for about three weeks
There was a busnesslike air about the bright
faced crowd Of children In nearly every case the
grown up the 70 show anxiety and an
unfamiliarity with business ways. while the young
ana went through his part Of the ordeal without
spparen1 confusion. 1t Is a credit 10 the public
school system" said Of the officials. They
are ds d whole healthy. happy boys and girls,
who are obedient 10 orders and want 10 do some
thing for Themselves Few untidy ones were seen,
and nearly ali well dressed
As the applicants entered the building they were
directed 10 the basement, where before the frst
Inspector. the name written on 4 pink or blue
blank. s the occasion required, and passed on TO
the next. VINO weighed and measured the child
took the color OF eyes and hair and made note OF
ANY physical blemish. Then before notary the
parent Or guardian stated his or her own name,
place Of birth and the Of his or her charge
The next floor the scene Of the closing test
There most II them tiptoe. leaning over the
big imposing looking desk, before which row OF
the primary reading book and left specimens of
their handwriting. The big sheet that had gone
with them through all this proceeding was then
seer for time the certificates being given
out as the names were called from another quarter
Of the room
The bows and girls about evenly divided
More received permits work in stores than fac-
tories because the age limit Of the latter is four
teen years while children Of twelve are allowed by
The State law 10 be employed in stores;
i want my child off the street while am OUT az
work was the explanation given by many OF the
uorhers Others were widows, some with ageq
parents 70 support well their children, ana
the Oldest ones must begin TO help in their own
support .. +,
Fourteen thousand six hundred and ninety-siX
ernoIoynlert certificates were issued by the Boaro
of Education 70 children under sixteen last year
OF these about four thousand five hundred were
vacation certificates