The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-25

and women whose business II Is to lead
them to the fount Of learning
-Never before have we been no busy,
ssid one of the forty-four city truant OF :
foers. Il have more than four hundred
oases on my list, ard am adding new ones
every day. My district, on the lower East
Side, is the worst in town for truants, but
all the officers are hard pressed.
aThe new law is the main cause OF this
unusual rush of work. We are now ex-
pected to see that not only all the healthy
children under "A 60 to school for at least
$50 days in the year, but also that those
between IA and 10 attend night school II
they arc working during the day. More
over. we're expected to keep special eye
on newsboys and bootblacks."
The truant officer spoke hastily. for a
hearing was on and he had his cases to
present. II was In a room in downtown
school building. Seated on chairs close to
the walls were mothers who looked as
II they hadn't spared the rod. clutching
by the hand small boys with tear stained
cheeks. Principals were there and
teachers.
In succession the boys were led up to
the district superintendent. A principal
and truant officer would lay the facts Of a
case before him. The mother would have
her say, while the boy, fearful Of being
sent away would usually weep afresh
This was evidently the dark side Of hockey.
The mothers we're told explicitly that
unless they kept their boys in school they
would be summoned to a Magistrates
court. One mother admitted that her
twelve year old hopeful was beyond her
control, and gave her written consent
reluctantly, to sending him to the Truants
Home.
There is a hearing like this in each
district once week." said the truant Of
ficer. -and we also have special hearings
just after the raids"
"The raidsi"
why yes. We've taken to making
raids Oh gangs of street boys 1t is a new
scheme, but 80 far it has worked well.
You see, truant officer, single ha nded
can't do anything with the newsboys and
bootblacks and young loungers who hang
around the corners during school hours.
He's a marked man in his district. When
they see him coming they run.
This being so, he calls to his aid half
policemen. We gather In school build
ing in the morning. and sally out just after
o o clock. when all good boys should be at
their lessons.
As soon as we sight the game tho officer
OF the district drops back. 30 as not to
Brighten them. Some OF us take what
you might call strategic positions, and the
rest saunter up TO the group.
When we grab for the boys they scatter
OF course, and a good many dodge US,
but some run into our arms. IL would
amuse you TO see us chasing them. There's
no rough treatment, of course.
When one wrggles away we have the
laugh on the man whose fingers he slipped
through. Altogether we do some pretty
nmble stepping, and have some fun in
this work of gathering in boys who should
be in school The captives are taken 10
the nearest school building, where we
send for their parents, and have hearing
The raids are only one Of the little ex-
elements in the life of a truant officer.
always carry with me revolver, a police
mans billy, a pair of handouts, a whistle
for summoning aid, and disinfectants. On
the lower East Side I need them all.
why, if ! hadn't had my gun where
could reach it quick the other day the
chances are that wouldn't be here now.
1T was in tenement house filled with
Italians.
Il had been al a cera ain door a couple
OF times inquiring about II boy, and had
been told by the Italian who answered
my knock that he had never heard of the
youngstsr. Parents often do that.
We'll, | finally made sure that he was
the father Of this boy. | went to him
again, and began TO give him some pretty
plain talk All of sudden saw his eyes
blaze. In about three jumps he had
reached the table and caught up big
knife. Then he turned on me. 1t was
the FIRST Tune had ever seen such look
In mans face. 1t meant murder, sure.
u backed OH without losing any time,
and reached for my revolver. Now then, >
] said to him. levellng il at his eyes, IL
you take another step in this direction
III shoot you. Go back to the table and
lay down that knife, Quickn
He did AZ he was told, and before |
left ! had him apologizing he blood
rush to my head. | get crazy he ex-
planned. His boy is going TO school every
day now.
Il have "A loi Of trouble with Italians
Among them ara more trllants than in any
other nationality. They seem to have the
most difficulty IN graspinE the idea hat
the Government not only pro yides free
education, but makes it compulsory
"The Russian Jews like 10 keep their
children al nome 10 work Even when
They're going 10 school sON Of The children
toll for long hours every day. Fys come
IN contact with youngsters Of not more
than or VINO begin To work on pants
at IN the morning They have a halt
session at school from 10 " and tho
60 back to their ,Wratshop task, and keel
II up III 10 O'Clock N night
"a good lunug # theHe people ere no;
particularly fond Il M and yet my popu,
hrity yarlrs win the tins ~ day b.
fore IN the morning you would think
was regular Santa claus from tho way
the children Ilock around me-.
generally roach my once about $50
IN all the way nrwn tho street after
turn the cn's ~ nave them shaking hBUul
with lnr, ratchinB nay DJal talis and danrinl
around me hu aft"r u O'rlDrk ! can
g9l within hau u hloGk II them Soms
I'm 49, durlng my unpopular hours, | he
na "A N, tIisallla ~ L, A