The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-03
VIOLATION
OF CHILD
LABOR Law

George * Chapman, ono of the proprie-
tors OF the Allendale silk mill, was before
the 9Th district court, today. on the
cfafs~-of employing leah Hammstt. II
years Of age. without first having OBJ
tanned a certificate from the superinten-
dent OF schools Of North Providence. per
mitting the child to remain away from
school.
Mr.. Chapman said that It was true that
he had employed tho child; but that there
were mitigating circumstances
The girl had brought 10 his superin-
tcndont what the latter thought was le-
gal permit that she might accept and re-
main at work.
This certificate. he said. had been Is
sued from private school and was sup
p, sea by the respondent to be all that
was required on both sides.
The court asked for definite plea of
guilty or not guilty, and as Mr.. Chap
man still wavered. Il was recorded that he
hLu pleaded not guilty and the case was
set down for n hearing on February 10th,
on which date the respondent could sp-
pear with counsel
Here came more trouble for Mr.. Chap
man.
lie had quite recently come from Pat
to- son. y. j. and had no realty here and
sso failed 10 procure a bondsman.
Being among strangers at this moment
he did not know where 70 look for n
bondman.
Truant officer John J McAvoy. who
had made tho arrest. Informed Judge
Sweetland nf Mr. Chspman's dilemma and
bonded for him In every way.
in the custody OF Probation Officer wal
lace and the parties in interest retired
for consultat ton.
IT was brief and al its conclusion Mr.
cha pman decided TO plead guilty and take
sentence
Judge Sweetland declined 70 tak. the
plea, informing tho respondent that II
would be better for him 10 procure coun-
sci and for obvious reasons
II appears that the North Providence
school authorities have been digging
sharply after the tr7lants, and that 10 OBJ
tain better results Mr.. McAvoy was re-
Gently appointed as the triAnt officer and
was instructed to do business right away.
He has cbeyed that injunction. for
this Is the third prosecution he has made
within week. the other two being
against parents who neglected to send
children 20 school
This case however is said 20 ba with
out parallel an the sixth district court
the prosecution or "a mill owner for un-
lawfully employing q child of school
age
From what the 'ruan' officer saws
Leah Hammett had heen attending paro-
chial school and being destrous 81 obtain
ing employment had secured from one
OF che Fisters a written excuse for ab-
sonCe
This had heen accepted bv the mill su-
perintendent. whereas ~ should have been
presented 70 the superintendent OF schools
and have warranted him I'm issuing the
proper certificate upon which Leah could
have been -tst--t-into the mill
Tho continued employ meut Of Leah was
brought 20 tho attention OF the school
authorities. who instructed Mr.. McAvoy
90 proceed against Mr.. Chapman, hence
today's proceedluu- iu court
Truant officer McAvov says that since
tho recent agitation was begun lookin x
90 the uaisi1g OF tho school age by on
amendment Of the existing statute gov
orning the employment of children iu
mills. mo authorities arc looking moro
sharply after alleged violations of the
law.