Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-08
WANT LEGISLATION
Various Matters Considered
by Prominent Residents.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
SPEAKERS DISCUSS MANY soCIo-
LOGICAL THEMES.
The Labor of Children, Compulsory
Education, Juvenile Courts and
Curfew Laws.

Labor of children, compulsory education,
Juvenile courts. curfew laws and various
otner sociological themes relating to the
protection and advancement of youthful
residents of the District, were discussed in
detail at the meeting held under the aus
pioes of the Legion of Loyal Women, at
the Washington Public Library last even
ing. Among the speakers were Commits
sloner Henry B. F. mcfarland, Mr. B. Fl.
Warner. Rev DIR. Louis Stern, Judge C. S.
Bundy. Mrs. Judith Ellen Foster Mrs. Ell
len Spencer Mussey and Mrs. Julia G.
Burnett. Mr.. Warner presided during the
early part of the meeting, but later during
the proceedings Commissioner mcfarland
occupied the chair.
The meeting. which was called to discuss
proposed legislation for the control and pro-
lection of the neglected children of the Dis
trict. was called to order by Mrs. Burnett,
chairman of the committee of the legion on
that subject Mrs. Burnett declared that
there is need for child labor law in the
district and that ii is a patriotic duty that
citizens of Washington owe to the District
and to the children to settle the matter
right. She then introduced Mr. b. II. War
ner, vice president of the Public Library,
who spoke briefly upon assuming the chair.
Whatever concerns the children is of the
deepest interest to the public said Mr..
Warner. The questions presented here
this evening are not new they involve the
whole community. Regarding some of them
there may be difference of opinion. AS
to the general benefit sought to be con-
ferred there must be the greatest harmony
of action. Washington has comparatively
few youthful employees, but they should be
looked after as carefully as the hundreds
of thousands in Greater New York, and
those persons who are active in this move
ment deserve hearty cooperation and sup
port.
Mr. Macfarland's Address.
In presenting Commissioner mcfarland
Mr.. Warner declared that the people of the
District appreciate the deep personal inter-
est that official takes In every matter that
concerns the people of the District.
AT this time said Mr.. mcfarland, "the
subject under consideration is one engaging
our most careful attention. l am preparing
TO lay before the board of District Commits
sioners the draft of a bill for the protec-
tion of the children of the District with re-
Spect to labor, and this bill when approved
will be presented. to Congress for enact
ment into law. We desire model law here
on this subject; We desire that all the Dis
trlct laws shall be models. and that Wash
ington shall in every respect be the model
capital of the world Without humane and
just laws, 1t does not matter how many
tine buildings We have, Washington cannot
become the ideal capital city.
We are very fortunate in having in the
White House a President who thoroughly
sympathiZeS with every such movement His
message no doubt will be great advantage
to us In this respect We will find il a great
service to the people OF the District when
We get ready to urge the legislation before
Congress, to have the knowledge in ad- |
vance that he will approve of the bill when |
1t is brought before him. This knowledge |
In itself will be an aid to the passage OF the |
bill"
Compulsory Law Proposed.
Commissioner mcfarland spoke of the |
official efforts made TO prepare a compul- |
sorry education law. and stated that it will |
be presented to Congress within a short |
time. This law, he mentioned, contains one
provision prohibiting child labor during
school hours and in the enactment of the |
compulsory education bill a step will be |
taken in advance. He believed, however.
that a more comprehensive child labor law
is desirable. II do not believe" said the
Commissioner that the evils of child labor
in the District are great at this time as |
to cause alarm, but IT is advisable to OBJ
tain preventive legislation. Whether the
number of children now employed be large
or small, or whether the evils be present or
prospective, We ought to have legislation to
control the matter"
Mr.. Mcfarland declared that there is
need of a child labor law, to fit into the
scheme of the District for caring for the
children of the District. He expressed the
opinion that the ideal condition would be
approached very closely If the recommenda-
tons OF the Commissioners are carried out
for separate Juvenile court and for caring