The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-22
IRON HAND
Threatens to Fall Today on
Messenger Men.
Charged That They Violate
Child Labor.
FOUND A TRUANT BOY.
Clyde YiIott Refused to Go to
School.
FOUND A TRUANT BOY.
Mr.. Eaton May Proceed Against
Telegraph Companies.

The compulsory education and child
labor laws are to be invoked in TOpe-
ka against concerns in Topeka who are
employing messenger boys who are un-
der age
Juvenile Court Officer Winfield Ea-
ton on Wednesday afternoon called on
w. A. stansford. the owner of the
''Hasty. Messenger Service at III
West Seventh street, and informed him
that unless he discharged three boys
in his employ who are under the age
limit, prosecution would be commenced.
The boys are:
Clyde Vilott. age u. 113 East Fourth
street, was enrolled this year in Jack
son school.
Johnny Crumbine. age Is
Roy Andrews, age Is.
The grievance found its particular
source in the case of Clyde Vilott. His
father owns a livery barn. The boy
was enrolled in Jackson school this
year, and according to Juvenile officer
Eaton has been playing truant.
1he boy worked for me, said Mr..
Stansford today, but I discharged
him last night and got him to promise
to return to school. I understand he
started back to school again this
morning. Crumbine is Is years of age.
and Andrews is about IT,
Eaton threat tened to have Stansford
arrested under the compulsory educa-
tton law SO far as Vilott was concern
ed, and was arranging with State La
Dor Commissioner ". A l. Johnson,
to have a second charge brought un-
der the child labor law in regard to
the Crumbine and Andrews boys.
tVilott Is a truant,' said Eaton. He
would not 60 to school and his father
seemed Indifferent. With regard to the
other boys, I have been arranging to
have the labor commissioners office
look after them. They are under age.
and go to places which are damaging
from a moral standpoint. Lots Of these
messenger boys must go to dlSreputa-
BILE houses with packages and bundles
and the influence is not good. Then
primarily they ought to be at school.
But the matter must be taken care Of.
Between the ages OF and II, boys are
amendable to the compulsory educa-
ton law. and after that to the child
labor law. Mr.. Johnson is out Of tie
city now, but as soon as ne returns,
the matter will be taken up with him.
There are other places which need at
tention as well. At ShaW's billiard had
on East Fourth street little fellows
were allowed to sit around and keep
warm while playing truant from school.
Shaw has stopped that though, since
I went and had a talk with him. Ae-
ton will be taken with regard to a
number of cases, to the extent Of
prosecution too unless the employment
Of boys under age is stopped. Lots of
firms in the city are cooperating with
US and helping US all they can"
What about the Western Union and
Postal Telegraph bcys?" was asked.
Il have nothing to say about that for
the present" was the answer.
Mr.. Stansford, the owner of the
"Hasty Messenger Service, was asked
about the difficulty and said: I want
to do whatever is right about the mat
ter. Mr. Eaton saw me yesterday.
got the Vilott boy to go back to school
this morning. Andrews and Crumbine
are both over sixteen years of age-s
do not wish to break a single law, for
am a law-abiding citizen. Anyone
can ask Governor HOch what 1 am.
ran a drug store right next to his place
of business for fourteen years, aud I
never sold a drop of liquor in the place.
I never took out a government license.
If 1T is necessary shall employ UIen as
my messengers. If I am viOlat ting ary
law I want to know of it, and I Will do
anything to put myelf right. There Is
no disposition on my part to break any
laws I shall do exactly what is right
about the matter"
A regular crusade will be waged from
now on for truant boys. With the open
ing Of spring and the warmer weather,
the youngsters can idle and loaf out Of
doors, while in winter they would either
have to go to school or freeze. Now
is the time that we have to watch
them" said OFFICER Eaton. 'They like
to get out now and run away. Some
of the youngsters find jobs and then
they pay no attention to school what
ever"