The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-12
Theron Talbot Was Earning
Money to Attend
High School.
LABOR LAW CASE
POSTPONED A DAY
Judge Callan Rules That Evidence
Is Lacking Family Cannot
Educate Son.

''NIy boy ought TO have had a permit,
judge. He's ambitious, wants 10 work
and viii work, even if he gets in trouble
Tor it, He expected tn enter the high
school in the fall, but we are not able
10 support our large family and buy his
books. too. Before this he has worked
and put his money in the bank. until
the child-labor law stopped him"
The mother Of young Theron Talbot,
about whom centers the first test case
of the child-labOr law, was talking, and
her words were eloquent Of the other
side" OF a law supposedly passed fog
humanity's sake. Judge Callan, VINO
his afternoon resumed the trial Of the
lest case involving the alleged employ
ment of the thirteen-yea lad by
Mrs Martha PaTmalee, glanced sympa-
theticauy at the mother and then ad-
niringly at the sturdy, ambitious lad
before him.
Theron was not a shirker. his face
showed it. and he apparently could not
understand The humanity IN statute
that denied hiIu. because he was a Few
months too young, the privilege Of keep
ing busy rather than idliI.s about the
streets.
" armed to Stop Working.
Young Talbot was warned by In
spector Estes July u that he must
cease work. He applied 10 Judge De
Lacy for a permit and as his mother
old not explain the situation fully, it
was not given him.
Early in August Inspector Estes pass
Cd the NcGiu building and saw the boy
tending the telephone. Mrs. Martha
I'armaIee. wife Of the superintendent.
was charged with employing juvenile
labor although she says the boys act
was voluntary and he received no pay
for it, This afternoon "A court room
filled with witnesses, officers. and spec
rators. began the battle anew. after
1,ostponement had been taken yesterday
I'm order 10 have Corporation Counsel
Thomas present.
The case. after considerable contra
dictorv testimony, was suddenly halted
yesterday by Judge Callan. who said
that so far there had been no evidence
adduced to show that young Talbot had
been hired by Mrs. Parmalee or by any
one else.
Judge Wants More Light.
However. the case is OF so much
importance" said Judge Callan. that
] would like TO have the Corporation
Counsel present TO talk upon the tech
meal construction Of the law, and the
case is postponed for that reason"
Inspector Charles c. Estes. who prom
Ised yesterday to have additional wit
nesses on hand TO show that the tele-
Dhoue was regarded as a public one,
was on hand again today REINFORCED by
tenants OF the building and others.
Talbot who is q bright. healthy lad,
and apparently well able TO do this or
almost any other work. denied upon the
stand that he had been employed by
Mrs. Parmalee. He spent a great deal
Of his time with the ParmaIees, he said,
and al times voluntarily tended the tele-
phone in the basement. but denied hav-
ing received any pay for the work since
July Is Prior T. that time he said he
was employed by the Washington Lean
and Trust Company.
How many children has your mother,
Theron asked Judge Cailan, in in
vestigating why the boy had not been
given the permit
IN have to stop and count them
replied the boy. amid the laughter of
the court room. This he did, and within
q short time announced that there Wer5
seven, of whom he is the Oldest
Needs Money for Schooling.
The lads mother was placed upon the
stand a moment later. MY boy should
have been given a permit to work.
judge, she said. Il am the mother of
seven children. all younger than he is.
His father makes at best 81 20 per dav.
when working fun time. My boy is
ambitious, he wants TO work. and will
work He was TO enter the high schools
in the fall and he needs this money to
buy books. II is impossible for US to
Clothe and feed our large family and
buy his books too. 1 would like TO
know If there is not some way that he