The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-16
GRAY RDASIS
TIE PARENTS
Of Little Children Who are
Made TO Work at Night.
HE ASKS FOR A LAW
Which Would Put a Stop to
the Practice.
He ASKS FOR A LAW

Scranton, Pa, Dec. 15.-Several little
girls employed in the silk mills were
called to the witness stand before the
suit Chairman Gray plainly gave MS
! opinion of parents who send their child
ren to work at a tender age. The first
girl called was only Il years old and
she had 10 work because her father had
been hurt in the mines. She said she
worked from : a. m. 10 p. n. for s.
, week. IN answer 10 Chairman Gray
she said her father expects 10 take her
out Of the mills next week, to which
Judge Gray replied that he should be
commended.
Annie Denks, aged 13 years, said she
worked at night from $50 o'clock
IL the evening until $50 O'Clock
/ in the morning. She had to stand
up all night during her work and re-
ceived IS cents a night. When the girl
said she was employed at night every
member of the commission seemed TO
be shocked. Judge Gray appeared es-
pecially indignant. He asked her where
her father worked, and she told him in
the mines. The girl also told the num-
Der of persons in the family and finally
Judge Gray said he would like to see the
father.
Il would like 70 see the father OF these
girls, he repeated. 1T may be a neces-
sity to send them TO the mills, but
don't think a father has the right to
coin the flesh and blood Of his children
into money. It's an outrage l would
like TO see what instincts he has"
The chairman of the commission spoke
with much feeling. and his views appar-
emily received the approval Of the other
commissioners.
Mr.. barrow. for the miners. said it
was not altogether the fault OF the par
ents. but the emoplyers are to blame for
not paying wages enough TO permit
man 10 keep his children in school.
Judge Gray replied That may be. but
there are miners who receive enough
pay TO enable them to keep their chill
dren out of the work house
A small Slavonian girl. aged u who
also worked all night. gave her testimony
through a thirteen-year-old girl inter
prefer She worked twelve hours each
night and received three cents an hour
She was asked whether her father owned
the house she lived in, and she replied:
Yes"
Chairman Gray. who was standing up
and leaning over TO get the girls ans
wer. Strengthened up. and as he walked
10 MS Stdt Iti4dIhtu- Nthf / llht 10
see her father"
Another 13-year-old girl said she
worked all night in the silk mill at Dun
more for sixty-six cents a night
Judge Cray Does your father own his
house?"
Yes. sir; hes my step-father'
HE is your step-father? 1 thought
so"
Judge Gray here inquired as to the
law in Pennsylvania regarding child Ia
Dor at night One statute was found
which partially covered the case, and
the chairman remarked that 1T seemed
as though the statutes Of Pennsylvania
in this part of the state did not seem TO
bother any one.
Mr.. barrow remarked that the laws
cannot enforce themselves.
After hearing all the girl witnesses the
miners put a breaker boy on the stand.
He is il years old and has a 10-year-old
brother working in the breaker OF the
Red Ash company AT Mount Carmel.
The father Of the boy was killed in the
mines and the 14-year~Old boy wrote the
rcte 10 the company. which was signed
By the mother. stating that the younger
brother was OF legal age.
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