The Washington herald., 1907-05-22


Before many months this city will have
the unique distinction Of housing within
its limits another Congress besides the
one which meets at the Capitol upon tho
hill. While similar 10 the regular ma.
tional lawmaking body so far as parlla.
mentary rules and regulations arc con-
cerned, the new organization is distinctive
and decidedly novel in the fact that II is
TO be composed Of children representatives
who are elected by children, and whose
sole duty it will be TO further the inter-
ests Of children.
Every State in the Union is TO be repre-
sented by its children delegates, and
everything of interest 20 the welfare or
the Improvement Of the children and their
moral and material condition will be
discussed in this junior congress, and
acted upon by regular executive. This
body Of youthful lawmakers viii elect a
full set OF officers who viii serve a speci-
fed length Of time az a regular salary,
and Washington has been decided upon as
the headquarters of this newly developing
force in American civic life.
Harold Bolce, Orlginator.
Harold Bolce. the originator Of the plan,
Is well known in this city, where he spent
number Of years as confidential adviser
TO Leslie N. Shaw. former Secretary Of
the Treasury. Mr.. Bolce is a magazine
writer, and his articles on the industrial
and commercial relations Of the United
States with Eastern counNies two years
ago were the topic of public discussion
by reason Of the strength Of argument
contained therein. which redoundad %
the advantage Of American trade and
commerce abroad. Mr. Bolce az present
makes his headquarters In New York.
from which city he directs the new move
meat He has interested a number Of the
leading men I'm the United States in his
proJeCt. and Arthur G. Moses. one Of the
most progressive Of this city's merchants.
has pledged his enthusiastic support.
Among other well known men who are
deeply interested i'm the scheme are Prof
Joseph French Johnson. dean Of the col
lcse Of commerce of the University Of
New York, and Charles Sedgewick Aiken.
one Of the foremost literary men and edi-
tors Of San Francisco. Cal.
Problem of Child labor.
The new organization is the result OF
MI Bolce's interest in the problem Of
child labor In this city a few years ago
he attended National Child Labor con
vention. IN company with DR.. y. I. Stone
an economic expert in the service Of the
United States government. At that time
Ar Bolce also attended a mass meeting.
at which Mr.. Felix Adler made an address
on the deplorable increase Of child slavery.
Nj BOlCe made the child labor question
a specific study with the object I'm view
TO bring about better conditions The re-
suit is the organization Of the children
not only Of America. but Of all lands The
although only recently inaug-
urated, has already gained remarkable
momentum.
One Of the first steps i'm the execution
of the proposed plan is 10 acquire waste
land in the vicinity of Industrial cities
These areas are 10 be reclaimed by the
children. and on these tracts factories.
surrounded by gardens and green fields.
are 10 be constructed.
Instead Of taking the little tOilers out
of their emplOyments and thus making
them objects of hateful charity. Mr.
Bolce's programme is 10 make them self
respecting, Independent, with opportuui-
ties for education and outdoor sports.
Scheme Declared Practical.
Business men throughout the United
States acknowledge the practical char
acter Of the movement said Mr.. Bolce.
An the textiles and other goods pro-
dUCed in factories run according TO the
plan which the juvenile congress. work
ing in cooperation with experts. will ont
line, viii be stamped as the OUTPUT Of
child labor humanely employed And
right here is whore adults, rich and moor.
VIII have an opportunity 20 cooperate.
Not a cent of contribution is asked. The
movement is % be self-supporting from
the start. But grown people, buying iD
the stores, viii be reminded through the
public press 10 give a preference. if the
goods are just as suitable. % the things
produced by model Industrial plants run
with a decent regard for the empIoyes
Thus. the men who build these up-to-dste |
factories will have as advocates and GALES |
men and advertisers every right-uinded
man. woman. and child in the country
There will be no boycotting. no criticism |
Of plants that continue in the old wav
All the force Of the gigantic movement
IS being and viii he concentrated on open- |
ing up opportunity.
Whole Project Joyous.
Primarily, the whole project is inv
ous,' Mr. Bolce says.
The emancipation Of child labor IS but
one Of the ideas to be taken I'D. bus If is |
The first one 10 be considered bv the
Juvenile Congress. This is already at
-racting much attention among the or
sanizationS that have been Informed Of
he working plans.
THE children viii elect their own dele
gates, one Juvenile legislator TO every
v9,@e children. Each voter deposits 2 /
.ents. Thus, every representative TO the
liidren's parliament will also represent
sum Of 5000. The bigger the orgauiz3-
ion, the more money It will have 10 an
TOpTiate in the interests Of the juvenile
wage workers.
None Of this money is 10 be appro-
lTiated for any purpose save i'm the inter
SITS Of the children themselves. They will
-0te on an advisory committee Of adults
This committee viii include successful
manufacturers, particularly those who
ave already introduced humane features
nto their establishments, and prominent
nen and women IN all lines"
This adult committee will have only
dvisory powers, however This move
1ent, Mr. Bolce explains, is TO give chill
rem an opportunity to do something 4
themselves. They will take the responsi-
ility
Aside from doing a lot Of good, the
lOvement promises all sorts Of fun in the
lection Of senator's, president, a cabi-
ct, and special commissioners 10 investl-
ate industrial conditions and opportuni-
es. Every person so elected must be
ivenile member Of the organization. All
I'll get good salaries, and each will in .
ariably have a private secretary, the
.tter to be parent or a teacher. These.
srving on a salary also, will invariably J