Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-01
BOY WORKERS LINE UP
No Badges for Them and Per-
mits Issued Slowly.
KEPT WAITING FOR HOURS
Mass of Detail Delays Child-Labor
Law Ceremonies.
ANOTHER TRIP FOR MANY
Three Hundred Applicants at Frank
lin School, and Newspapers Are
Not Delivered, Nor Are
Shoes Shined.
ANOTHER TRIP FOR MANY


streets of Washington today. Business
men were not accosted on their way to
their offices with the inquiry. "Shine,
mister?" On this part .cular morning the
carrier boy forgot to leave the paper.
Patsy and Mike and Leo and Jack and
the others of the army of child laborers
are all spending the day on the grounds
of the Franklin School building. Several
hundred strong. they stormed the building
this morning before the sun was high in
the sky and have been much in evidence
there, and there only, ever since.
They are calling for permits and
badges-boys who work on the city streets
must have them or be idle.
AS fast as they arrived on the scene
the boys were hustled into line, so that
they can be given badges in order of
priority. During the day the line has
continually stretched along three sides of
18th street and the alley on the south side
Of the structure. And in that line is
ambitious juvenile Washington.
Dress Both Ways.
Some of the boys thought it was a party.
They came dressed in their best. hair
we'll wet and matted down. clothes that
sui naO the tnredOS OF the price marx
tags on them and shoes deliberately black
ed. Others came in workday condition.
tough skin being the principal protection
for their feet and legs and articles of
clothing as few in number as possible.
One little ten-year-old chap tugged at
the hand of his mother when he reached
the school building about 10 o'clock and
his maternal ancestor soon put him in
line. The boys around him were tall
and older, and Willie's mother became
NOR Z {y,o1 Oh
appealed to the officer who was using his
best efforts to keep the boys in line.
"Oficer. can't ! get my boy right in"
she pleaded Hes SO little the other
boys pick on him.
The man in the uniform tried to assure
the woman he would keep a watchful
eye on the little tot. The mother con-
tinued to plead.
Her youngster did not need ''watchful"
care He had both fists doubled up al
ready, a clear space of two feet between
him and the nearest boy and was saying
something pointed about whom he could
lick
The chief trouble of the boys was In
badge after arrival at the school build
ing. The best record this morning was
three hours and twenty-three minutes.
boy, in line for some two hours,
upon which he is seated. finally arrives
al the gate of the schoolyard. He has
been watching those Immediately ahead of
him march in and envies them. Lunch
time is near. He hopes he can get into
the building within a couple of minutes.
He knows he can then get his badge and
be away inside of ten minutes
Only Part on His Way.
Finally his turn comes. He walks over
the basement entrance and down to the
areaway. There he is surprised to find
all his old friends whom he saw going
into the building just before him. He
waits another half hour and sees one
after the other of his friends called in
side
He gets through the door after a whiles
There is big crowd in the room. He
goes to the man in charge and asks for
the badge.
Just sit down. You will get yours
after while" he is told. AS he looks
for q scat he again finds all his old
friends again. each occupying about
one square foot of the basement floor.
He squats Finally he is motioned to
come into the next room.
AT last" he says. the badge and
lunch"
When he arrives in the next room he
finds no man issuing badges The boys
in the chairs around the walls arc the
same boys lie has been keeping com
pany with for some two hours back.
But he finally does get into ii room
where q lot of people are writing.
Judge" Wilmarth, who is acting for
the superintendent of schools in the
issue OF the badges. is busy. The boy
presents his age and schooling certifi
cate and application for permit and
badge.
Take this application home and have
your parent sign it, the youngster is
told.
Got to come back and wait again."
says the youngster in a disappointed
Voice.
Yes he IS told. The expression on
his face as he leaves the building would
never be mistaken for satisfaction
Some Given Prompt 80. o."
But many boys have the papers pro-
perly signed After advancing from one
room to another for several hours thy
finally get to Judge Wilmarth and
ask for the badge.
The Judge" places the boys head
firmly between his two hands. Then he
begins to examine the color of the hair
and eyes and facial characteristics.
Scar on cheek. ten milimeters from
the left wing Of the nose" he calls 10 the
clerk who is writing the permit.
Light green eyes" is verdict in an
Mr.. wilmsarth pcnders long over the
Three freckles." he announces. finally.
And that facial characteristic is noted.
There are eyes of brown and eyes of
blue; there are eyes Of pink and green