The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-07-09
NEWSBOYS
OF Toledo Have an Or
ganization For Mutual
Benefit.
A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

" WH HItUNNL HSSOOtH tuN
Toledo, o. July 7.-Newsboys in the
city of Toledo are no different than in
any other city in the United States,
and when Commodore John Gucke
gathered from the streets on Christi
mas day sixteen years ago 100 news
boys who sold daily papers on the
streets, and with FIVE policemen gave
them a Christmas dinner, he had
brought together a elias of boys al
most unknown to the active CONNER
cial world
They were boys whom the business
men absolutely ignored, and at every
opportunity pushed out of the way or
kicked into the gutter, not with evil
intent or TO fnjure, but because the
name "newsboy" meant the boy was
wholly bad, that he would steal, lie,
swear and gamble, and no man felt
that he would receive his change II
he gave boy quarter for news
paper.
At this Christmas dinner every
thing In sight disappeared within fif-
teen minutes, and investigation re-
vealed the act thai OF this 100 boys,
% had drunken fathers or drinking
mothers, had no homes, IL had
homes worse than none at all, and 9
wore their clothing day and night
until II dropped on in rags. n they
found money or any valuables they
never thought of making an effort 10
finu the owner. In short, the news
boy. the little street merchant, six
teen years ago in the city oil Toledo
had but one object in life-tbat of get
ting money.
RESULT OF GUNCKEL CAMPAIGN.
With this kind OF material Commo-
dore GunCkel started the Toledo
Newsboys' association. This Is not
an exaggerated recital Of the newsboy
and his method OF doing business
years ago. and neither was II confined
to the city Of Toledo. Commodore
Gunckel took personal interest In
the boys, forming an association Off
cered by them. and selecting the lead
ers for the most important Offices.
The only requirements were the boys
should sign an application which
read:
II do not approve Of swearing, ly-
ing, stealing. gambling, smoking
cigarettes or drinking intoxicating
liquors"
Upon signing the same the boy be- /.
came a full nedged member OF the
Toledo Newsboys' association. recelv- |
ing n membership card and badge.
The boy pays no dues OF assessments. !
As soon as a boy receives ais member
ship card and his numbered badge he
Is watched not only by the officers OF
the association, but by his fellow
and II he swears. or 1
steals, or does something equally bad
The Cnlcers do the punishing.
With a membership of 100 sellers
sixteen years ago today the Toledo
association numbers 5.s55
IN Toledo alone, and upon this plan
he National Newsboys' association
Was organized al the worlds fair AZ
81. Louis. and over 5000 members are
low enrolled, and the association is
all over the world. Badges
iave been sent TO England, China. the
argentine Republic and Scotland.
BOYS OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY.
In The city Of Toledo swearing, ly-
ne stealing, playing craps and smok-
ng cigarettes practically has disap-
'oared. The boys worked their own
Aviation through the sel-governing
Ian With the 5000 Toledo news
oys there are sixty-fve officers. and
he detail work Of the association Is ,
one entirely by those officers. From ,
hese boys the Sunday school super
ntendents are selecting good singers.
nd In the Sunday schools are news
oy classes. Within two years the :
ewsboys have brought TO Commodore
money, diamonds. watches.
'welry Of all kinds, hundreds OF diff :
arent articles they found on the :
lreets 10 the value OF $50 900, and al =
.ays with the cry. Find the guy who
'st H." Gunckel has had twenty !
ears experience with the boys on :
le street, He said:
THE success in holding a boy lies :,
the personal. individual interest
ven to each. Always give the boy /,
ie best you have, and the best comes :,
ack 10 you" :,
With Commodore Gunckel there Is
D recognition Of nationality. color, or :
'eed. He sees the good in every boy. y
nd dirty faces and hands and ragged =
othes are taken care OF so gradually y
LAT the boy never notices II. II
Two boys, aged and 10, were at g
e door OF his ONCE. Both were ?
gged and had dirty faces. The s Il
sar old stopped at the door and said @
the other: cl
Your face is dirty" c.
"Aw. Gunckel don't see dirty faces h
torn clothes. So you're square and 81
NEST II goes" o.