The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-12-02
WILLIAMS GET. MORE ::
HELP N. FLOUR CITY
Labor Commissioner Succeeds
in Stirring Board Of Educa-:&
ton to Strong. Action.
Board Will Wage War Against
Child Labor Compulsory '
School Law to be Forced.

School Law to, be Forced.
Minneapolis, Dec. Labor Commis-
sioner Williams is most certainly be-
ing given admirable support from every
quarter Of the state. His. crusade
against child labor is bearing its fruits.
Thorough Investigation Of the reasons
behind applications for permits .ex-
empting children under 18 years Of age
from compulsory school attendance in
order that they may work, is to be
made by a special officer Of the MIN
neapolis board Of education.
Frequent cases in which children
have been deprived Of educational ad-
vantages and forced to provide a Nv-
ing for the family in order that in
human parents may bask in luxurious
idleness suggested the innovation. The
school board committee on teachers,
janitors, and salaries now has the mat
ter in hand and is expected soon to
appoint a special truant officer whose
duty 1t shall be to Investigate all ap-
plications for permits.
Heretofore this work has been In
the hands Of the principals Of the
various schools. They found little time
to conduct investigations, and 1t was
seen that in many cases they unavoid-
ably alienated pupils. When an ap-
plication was made for a permit a
principal would so to the home to see
If the child's assistance was really
needed. The children would always
learn of the probe and thereafter, If
kept in school, would feel coldly toward
the principal.
He has been to my home and knows
thought that officials say almost in
evitable rises in the mind Of the sensi-
tive child. when the principal who has
investigated his case comes into his
sight. 1t limits the chance Of the
child. it is declared, and he never for
gets the visitation Of the teacher as
long as he is in the presence of the
Investigator
Superintendent Charles M. Jordan
saw the danger in this lax system Of
investigation and set about immed-
lately to improve it. He labored for
years and finally recommended the.
employment Of an officer to- do the
work: The board adopted the suege4-:
tion and. an. officer will soon be on
duty -: ~:"E" = :
The Associated Charities, with its
abundance of data, will lend it's assist
ance to the officer and though there
will be no official connection between
the organizations, the work of the
school board will be augmented by the
Charities society. The latter has the
names and conditions Of some two
thousand families who are subjects Of
information concerning persons who
have asked permits In the past. 1t in
vestigated over two hundred and fif-
ty cases during the year ending Sept.
1 last.
A Case in Point. =:
Speaking of the benefits that will
result from this systematic and ex-
haustive examination Of all cases, Man.
ager f. ID. Solenberger. of the Asso-
ciated Charities. said yesterday: -.
I'VE had case only few days ago
that illustrates the fact that indolent
parents will deprive their children of
educations iii order that they may re-
tire. An aged man applied for aid.
He told a pitiful story Of the refusal
Of his sons. who he said had good po-
sitions. to lend him financial aid He
gave the addresses Of his boys.
wrote to them and learned that in
their boyhood they had been forced
to support the family while their
father toiled not. and they did not see
how he could Justly censure them for
not supporting him in his old age
when he had made no effort to pro-
ted the truth Of the charge Of his sons
and also agreed that their contention
was just. He. had spent the money
they earned for liquor. They had
worked faithfully for years, only leav-
ing him upon reaching their majority.
1--WE have encountered numerous
cases that presage finish similar to
that of this old man." continued Mr.
Solenberger. Though in many cases
only the withdrawal. Of a child from
school and putting him to work will
save the family from dependency upon
charity, there are innumerable cases
where Incidence Of parents work per-
manent injustice to. their children
There are also cases Of children who
are backward mentally, or. incorrigible,
and who have almost reached the age
of 16. and whose continuance in school
would do them no good. There are
other cases, just and unjust and it is
to distinguish between these that DR..
Jordan has asked for q, special officer
We shall put all our Information at
the disposal Of this Officer though we
have no connection with the board Of
education and the idea is exclusively
that Of DR.. Jordan"
None Of the many permits now out
will be examined by the new official,
but Immediately upon his appointment
he will thoroughly sift every case that
comes up in the future ~and cradle
ats the alienation aroused by the pre-.
sent system. Though his work as an,
Investigator Of requests for permits
will occupy only part Of. his time,
the new officer will be: employed fun