Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-22
MEETING OF DISTRICT D. A. R.
LABOR, LAW AND EDUCATION
SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION.
President Mcfarland Of Board Of
Commissioners Asks Society's Aid
in Combating Bookmakers.

At gathering of the Daughters OF the
American Revolution Of the District OF
Columbia in the library at the New Will
lard last evening reports from the sub
committee on Patriotic Education" were
read and addresses were made In support
of their respective movements.
The meeting was called to order by the
state regent. Mrs. Howard L. Hodgkins.
who invited the vice president general.
Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey, chairman Of
the general committe on patriotic edu-
cation to take the chair. Mrs. Mussey
accepted and introduced Commissioner H.
B. F. Mcfarland.
Mr.. Mcfarland addressed himself to
the subject Of the child labor law.
Some folks think" said he. that there
Is no need OF such a law in this commu-
nifty. I'VE have in the compulsory educa-
ton law provision which does something
toward regulating child labor in the Dis
trict, and experience has shown that
much good has been accomplished by it.
We had compulsory education law in
force for many years. but 1t had as many
ioopnoies to 1t as the present anti-gam-
present and the D. A. R. generally to do
al that was In their power to assist the
commissioners to protect the nations
capital from the bookmakers who come
mere twice year and who, he said. carry
away with them each time a quarter Of a
million of the peoples money
we need laws to protect the future"
ne said The time may come when the
worst conditions that prevail elsewhere
may arise here. and there is ample are1,-
ment now for the enactment of q child
labor law"
MRS. Mussey called attention to the fact
that under the compulsory education law
there were three truant officers to look
after 10000 children.
Mrs. Bushee. the chief truant officer.
reao an address covering her work and
reciting instances to show the need of a
law such as proposed. Mrs. Mussey an
nounced the establishment of twelve spe-
clal schools, which some call ELLEN Spen-
Ger Mussey Schools" she said. where part
OF the course is academic and the rest
devoted to special work. such as weav-
ing. painting and the like. She de-
scribed some Of the beautiful work which
nao been done at these schools. They
nave been allowed by Congress the use OF
1900 for this special work.
Miss Elizabeth F. Pierce. chairman of
the Juvenile and probationary work COM
mfttee. told Of the progress that had been
made and the efforts that were being
made in those lines.
The Juvenile Court.
Mrs. ]. Ellen Foster described the OBJ
ject and the workings Of the Juvenile
Court under Judge DeLacy. which deals
with the child who. without malice, COM
mits a crime. by suspending sentence and
holding 1t over his head as a punishment
to be meted out II the offense is repeated.
Several instances were related of cases
that arose in the court where by this
method great good had been accomplished.
At the request Of Mrs. L. H. Mattinrly.
Mrs Giles Scott Rafter. assistant super
visor OF Fairgrounds. was introduced and
gave an interesting address upon play
grounds for the children She said that
there were twenty-six Fairgrounds, but
there was not single American flag for
any of them. and asked that the d. A.
r. see to it that the flag was provided for
them all. Mrs. Mattingly announced that
after the close of the meeting her COM
mittee would assemble and take action
in the matter Addresses were also made
by Mrs. Morgan D. Lewis chairman OF
the committee on children of the re.
public" Mrs. Smallwood. who spoke upon
the same subject; Miss Thayer of the AS
ISOLATED Charities. who described how the
work OF all Italian club, which originated
In an alley in the southeast section was
being conducted, and Mrs. Pepper, di-
rectress of the school. along the same
line. AT the conclusion of the addresses a
short business session was held to dis
cuss routine matters. and the meeting
then adjourned.