New-York tribune., 1903-03-05
PLEA FOR THE CHILDREN
Commodore Gerry Opposes Child
Labor BiHs-Many FAVOR Them.

AIhanv. March 4.-"Think of your own chill"
49,, ,,ndar ten wears OF age waiting at o'clock
in the morning for the early newspapers edlo
NJ EeI;x Adler to the Senate Judiciary Commit
tsa at the hearing on the Child Labor bills to-
dav what kind of school is that for children
If YOU tell me of the fine men that have been
aewsboys will admit the exception. and refer
Won to the men who have been stronger after
severe illnesses; nevertheless, you would not SUD-
je2t men to Illness or disease as means 10
health These are instances of the surviva! OF
the fttest, not the normal results Of unfavor-
able conditions"
Commodore EI5ridge T. Gerry, counsel ana
former president of the Society for the Proven
ton of Cruelty to Children, again represented
the only open opposition to the bills He con-
tended that the bills opened the way to legal
tangles. created confusion of jurisdiction, that
they would crowd the courts and in gen.
eral conflict with existing legislation, which ne
regarded as already sufficient.
He criticised the bill relating to street trades
as not clearly shutting out the business Of news
paper selling by girls declaring that the grossest
cases of immortality were traceable directly to
the practice of selling newspapers and carrying
other street occupations by girls. He further
questioned the right of the legislature to pro-
hibit boys from earning their living in this way.
ne Dill WOuIO fenGeF t1o unhappy Duy . lIAC
even more misera BILE than it is at present" said
Mr.. Gerry. He is first to be dosed with educa-
ton. then to be branded with a license He is
not allowed to earn his own living but COM
PEELED to be shut up in a hot tenement house. to
the injury of his health. From being inno-
cent child he is to be converted by law into a
suspicious person, and made presumptive Grim
inal by being badged and marked, and thus
made to earn his livelihood at his peril. All
newsbOys are not necessarily either neglected
vicious. When found neglected, like other
children they should be cared for; but when
trying to earn their living they should be let
alone if in proper physical health Rescue work
is needed more than legislation
John ID. Lindsay. president of the Gerry So
ciety. also contendede that the bill was legally
impraCtiCabe and probably unconstitutional
and read letter from the Judges of the Court
of Special Sessions in New-York protesting
against additions to their duties which they
held were uncaled for and unwiSe.
President Samuel Gompers of the American
Federation of Labor earnestly supported the
bill
Mornay Williams president of the Juvenile
Asylum of New-YOrk, took exceptions to the
views of Mr.. Gerry.
Both Mr.. Gerry and myself are licensed to
practise law" said he but we do not regard
ourselves as branded thereby, or marked as
suspicious persons
There could be no doubt he said, of the power Of
the legislature to pass such a bill in the interest
of the health, education and morals of minors.
and he regarded the claim that it would add
work to the courts Of no force. The courts
there to serve the interests of the people
IF it can be shown that this bill Will produce
the best results interjected Senator Bracket
chairman Of the committee, the work must be
done. It would be cheap at any price"
Robert Hunter, head worker of the University
Settlement and chairman of the child labor
A large and representative delegation ap-
peared In support of the bill.
committee, made an mpassioned appeal to the
committee Ito give the kids chance. Com
modore Gerry he asserted was making the mis-
take which would mar noble career.