The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-10
GUARDING BOYS
RUNNING WILD IN
CITY STREE 7
Speakers Consider Third
Problem Relating toChil-
dTen, and Make Inter
estirg Suggestions.

81 maintaining n more complete and well
y arranged program than that devoted to
children. Many Richmond people are
finding this place for inspiration in
school, social and church work, and the
hall of the Mechanics Institute is daily
crowded 10 its utmost capacity.
81 Miss Frances G. Curtis, of Boston, Is
schairman of the committee on chill
{Sdren, and has held to a clear line in
mapping ont her program. calling daily
ION large number OF those present to
give their experience and either to cor
4 roborate or to disagree with the views
laid down in the formal papers.
ISL The Neglected Child.
g Though not so entitled in the pro-
gram, the discussion of yesterday
might have been said to be on The
Neglected Child a day had been
given to the study OF the delinquent
child-the child who has criminal ten
denotes, and comes under the eye Of
the law: another to the dependent child
the orphan or the abandoned child,
for whom the State or some charitable
institution or person must care.
Yesterday the average, normal,
healthy boy of the street the school
boy, the newsboy and the messenger.
came in for attention, the majority OF
the speeches being devoted to the Ire
of tho street boy. The chief speaker
was Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen, of the Hull
House Settlement. Chicago, who dis
cussed protective work for children, go
ing at some length into the particular
Temptations which beset the average
boy left to run the streets at all hours
OF the day and night, In the effort
to remove these primal causes of deli
cheney, Mrs Bowen advocated division
of the city into districts. In an effort
TO mold public sentiment for the pro-
lection of the children, saying that she
would call all classes to her aid III
such a movement. Mrs. Bowen illus
trated this point by telling of con-
ference she had with number of the
leading saloon-keepers in the nelghbor.
hood of the settlement. After full
explanation of the purposes of the
workers in attempting 10 keep the
. children out of the saloons, the whskey
men met her more than halfway, and
themselves eXerted an influence on the
smaller dealers, insisting that they OBJ
serve the law In regard to the eNclu-
sion of minors.
The Chcnp Theatre.
The cheap theatre of the cent type
was the subject of considerable dis
cussion. the slot machine and penny
arcade being declared one of the great
est dangers TO the street child--a dan
ger not only on account of the quea.
tionable scenes and pictures, but on
account of the constant temptation to
steal something to obtain the small
price of admission.
Miss Jane Adams. head of the Hull
House Settlement. spoke briefly on
the Importance of amusement centres
pnd of play In the development Of
children. The practice of some cor
porations OF sending messenger boys
into disreputable places was round!y
AZ, ~, Low
number of boys are kept on hand
awaiting orders, often with nothing to
do, and in the dingiest quarters. In
idleness they naturally drift to ques-
tionable amusements and to vice.
CLUB work particularly library of
suitable books at the disposal of the
boys. was advocated.
The curfew law, favored by some
speakers, was not unanimously in
dorsed, many obtectng to its provi-
sions unless there We're trained proba-
ton officers to SEQ to its enforcement.
not leaving the street child to fall into
the hands of the ordinary policeman
and the police station.
4 Newshoy Problem.
The "tieH"sboy problem was consid-
cred ut somG length by Mr.. I.oveioy,
OF New York, agent Of the National
Child Labor Committee. who strongly
objected to the employment OF small
boys as vendors of newspapers. This
custom. he said. had almost disappeared
III New York, through the Introduction
pf well equipped and well operated
news stand In New York City no boy
ran sell papers without license; no
license can be given TO child under
len, and boys from ten to fourteen
must show a certificate from the school
authorities before securing a license,
"Sinoe ! have ieen in Richmond" said
! Mr.. Loyejoy II have not been honor
pbly solicited to buy paper The boys
try TO put up pitiful tale Mister,
please buy paper and they count of
Ire number they have and tell me how
they want to get home.
The first step in reaching the prob
lem of the street child, it was stated
Is a compulsory child labor law; :
second step is TO enlist teachers IL
The campaign; third TO provide PLAY
grounds and other suitable recreation
centres, as II is evidently useless q
attempt campaign Of keeping chill
is provided.
Returning to discussion of the
cent theatre, Miss Curtis said that II
Boston there was "a law putting then
in a class with poolrooms, wher'
minors are not allowed. Miss Adams
the theatre rather than an attempt t
enforce a prohition. She said that 81
HUI House they had adopted rl,
theatre, put in one themselves ans
made ii part of their work. selecting
such scenes for The motion picture
as would be educational and uplif.
In.
Clubs for Boys
Clubs for boys to take them off III
#streets at night were advocated again
and whore there is a proper probation
system the speakers held that instep
OF arresting the youngster running =
large late al night. the officer shoul
take him home and warn the fathe,
Z who was more TO blame than the hos
If necessary the father should. u
hailed TO court and fined for allowiu
his boy TO run about ut night hU
unless absolutely necessary. It wa
best according 70 the speaker,
avoid stamping the imprint Of the ave,
age police SQUIRT on the life Of III
boy.
For Colored People,
An opportunity viii be given o
Tuesday afternoon from ESQ to 4:3
II p'clock for the negroes OF Richmon
to Wow the exhibit OF congestion o