New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-31
NEWSB0Y BADGES READY.
Lac in Effect TO-mOrrOc-Mayer
and MeLeny Talk.

The newsboy law which was passed by the
State legislature last winter through the efforts
OF the Child Labor Committee. goes into effect to-
morrow. Hereafter no boy under ten years of
age Will be allowed 10 sell papers. and news
boys between ten and fourteen years OF age must
wear badges and must not work later than 10
2. No girls under sixteen years of age are al
lowed TO engage in this occupation at any time.
Badges vii! be issued to-day from the offices of
the twentythree district superintendens of schools
in the FIVE boroughs. Clarence E Meleny, Asso-
ciate City Superintendent Of Schools who has
general charge Of the case yesterday,
and made the following statement regarding the
preparations which have been made for putting
the lsw into operation:
AT At the close Of the school term lest juno We
sent circular letter TO the principals of all pub
nc and private schools in the city. asking them TO
their pupils and 10 secure also an estimate Of
the number Of boys between ten and fourteen years
Der ! TO our surprise nearly ten thousand boys
were furnished at that time n Is probable that
hundreds Of these had no real intention TO sell
q badge free Six thousand badges have been
these viii into the hands of only bona fide
neWsboys. since the law provides that either the
Pea- and make application before the permit and
o4GSe are issued The badge is the key TO the
tween ten and fourteen years of age. it ought to
e an o9ys oo under ten years Of age for they vii at
once become CONSPICUOUS by having no badges
:, IoosIoh is me only city IN this country which
licenses newsboys, and serious difficulty in en-
young 10 be regularly licensed find that it is not
at eli hard TO secure badges from older boys who
no longer care TO sell papers and willing
70 sell their badges or give them away Whenever
pose Of the law IS thwarted and the trainers of the
New York law have. therefore. attempted to make
transfers impossible by providing that the badge
shall bear on its face the name and number Of the
means OF this signature it will be an easy matter
FOR an officer TO detect boy who is apparently
under ten years OF age. and is presumably swear
Ing another boys badge. by requiring him TO sign
further check upon the transfer Of badges is
found IN the provision that each permit expires
within one year from the date Of its issue. Badges
be recalled. and in this way unusued badges will
not be allowed 10 remain outstanding ready TO be
transferred Tor consideration TO boys under the
that its enforcement may facilitated by the sym
pathetic cooperation Of all persons having tie In
by this means the depiorable evil attending the
them away from their homes day and night with
the evil associations of the streets may be grad
ualiy but surely eradicated.
The law provides that any child arrested under
!ts terms shall be dealt with according TO law
When Justice julius NJ. Mayer asked yester-
day regarding the meaping of this clause. he said:
A large discretion is given under the law to the
justices presiding at the Chldrens Court. before
whom all such cases will be tried in the boroughs
~ Manhattan. The Bronx ana Brooklyn. The court
will have the power 10 suspend sentence, parole,
fine or commit to an institution; Just which course
20 pursue must be determined in each case and
on us own merits The disposition viii depend
on surrounding circumstances, home environment
age OF the child, whether constant or only an
occasional offender, and the like.
When the law IS violated by a child under pres
sure from its parent with the parents consent.
power TO require the parent to pay for the main
fenance Of The child If committed to an institution
Tor such a violation. BY this means those parents
who blamable viii be much within the con-
To accomplish the hoped for results will require
caution; but IN due time the withdrawal of children
expected