The Washington herald., 1908-08-01

day. The chud-labor law has gone into
effect
Although the public IS led TO believe
that the financial situation has grown
brighter daily since last fall. by the oper-
alton Of the child-labor measure several
hundred Of washington's most success
ful and prosperous little business men
have been forced 10 retire from tfe vor-
tex Of industry.
To-day any business man who permits
a girl or boy under fourteen years Of age
10 work in his establishment without
wearing a badge from the superintendent
Of schools is liable 70 arrest for violating
the provisions Of the child-labor law Any
child found selling papers. magazines.
periodicals. or shoe strings in the street,
will be taken into the tolls by Inspectors
Estes and Sanders. unless the required
badge Of immunity is worn
Were Formed Into Line.
Throughout the last month hundreds or
boys and girls and their parents have
formed into line outside the Franklin
School 10 obtain certificates which per
nit the juvenile Wearer 10 work for a
living LaEer. these certificates were
presented to Secretary Wiimarth. who IS
sued the necessary badges. The insignia
cf immunity. OF privilege 10 toll. is a
square piece Of red cardboard with the
wearer's name and age printed on It, and
is fastened TO a piece OF nickeled brass
bearing pin From to-day on II will be
necessary for ali toiIing juveniles 20 wear
these badges on their coats OF waists. so
as TO be easily seen by the duigent IN
spectors-
Yesterday afternoon there was tre-
mendoUs crowd al the school, and several
hundred certificates Of proper schooling
were received blythe secretary. who dis
lributed the badges. In order 10 obtain
a badge. it was necessary for a child 10
produce evidence that he or she had at
tended school all of last year and had
obtained a final report for the semester.
A number OF APPLICANTS were refused
badges because they had not complied
with the law.
Speaking OF the new law. Commissioner
aIacfarland said he believed IL was wise
and necessary legislation. and hoped il
would prove a success.
This IS a preventive rather than a
remedial measure" said Mr.. Nacfarland
1t viii work for better citizenship in the
future. and better civic conditions gen
orally I have worked q great deal
10 procure the passage OF the child labor
law. and in fact drafted the original meas
ure sent 20 Congress OF course that
was greatly changed by Congress. but
I i IS substantially what we want in the
( District. We VIII begin prosecutions IN
/ der the law tomorrow. and VIII watch
with interest the results achieved Il
may be necessary 10 make some amend
ments. but al present the law seems q
I be all that should be required 10 prevent
I toll on the part Of boys and girls whose
I place is IN school or on the Playground
1 getting fresh air and exercise
Must show Certificates.
While. generally speaking. IL IS neces.
/ sary for the child 10 produce a certIf-
! cate showing he o. she attended school
/ sI OF last year IN order 70 obtain a badge
/ permitting him or her % work. the in
/ spectors and Judge De Lacy. Of the
l Juvenile Court. viii see 20 II that nc
4 hardship, suffering. or deprivation ars
caused by taking children from their
working places. There is a provision ir
the law which states that where there
/ are invalid. aged. OF disabled persons de-
Z pendent upon the earnings Of the chill
I dren an exemption shall be made
! The inspectors reported that the busi-
1 ness men Of the city were heartily in
I favor Of the law and had cO-operate5
with them We wish To prevent the un-
{ necessary tOiling OF Children. rather thar
punish employers or children for viola
tons OF the law From The reports Of IN,
/ Inspectors, 1 believe there viii be few
/ prosecutions
/ II was said at the Franklin Schoo
| that I.2e badges had been issued q
children who were qualified TO work ir
/ Washington business houses OF 10 sci
and deliver papers. More than 800 appli.
cants were refused badges because Of
noncompliance with the law. while al
I least 800 or 30 boys and girls enEa Eet
( in selling papers IN the streets. wrappine
/ bundles, packing novelties, drawing soda
! or delivering papers have failed TO max
/ application for badges OF furnish schOo
/ certificates These children viii be found
! sooner or later by the inspectors and b
made 10 qualify as tOilers or step work.
ing
! Got a badge. Chimmieg' asked on'
/ little paper boy Of another at the Treas
/ ury junction last night
/ Badge? Nav. Don't want none.
/ snarled the other little fellow, who wa.
| evidently stuck with a large number o.
/ papers
! Not a Free Country.
( -Dey're givin' de poor peepul de devi
desc days said the first urchin- Tain