The Washington herald., 1908-05-22
HEDGES CHILD LABOR
COnferees' Agreement Is Ac-
cepted in the Senate.
HOUSE BILL IS THE BASIS
Senate Amendment Allowing Chill
dren's COurt to Make Exceptions
Retained, but Prohibition Thrown
Around Employment Of Districts
Rising Generation Is Sweeping.

Senator Dolliver yesterday presented In
the Senate the report of the conferees on
the District child labor law, one OF the
measures for which the President con-
tended in his several special messages to
Congress at the present session. and the
report was accepted without demur. al
though the Senate eonferees yielded in a
majority of the differences between the
bills passed by the two Houses.
As agreed upon finally, the bill retains
the Senate amendment giving the Ju-
venile Court power TO allow children to
work under certain conditions, but the
classes Of labor which were excepted
from the provisions OF the bill by amend
ments made on the floor OF the Senate
are replaced, making the measure cover
practically all classes OF child labor
which are known in the District
In its perfected form the bin provides
that no child under fourteen years of age
shall be employed in any workshop, fac
tory, business Office. mercantile establish
ment, store, telegraph or telephone Office,
restaurant, hotel, apartment house. club.
theater, bowling alley. laundry. bootblack
stand, or in the distribution or transmits
sion Of merchandise or messages. Nor
may any child under fourteen be en-
ployed in any work Of any kind for wages
during the regular school hours of the
District, or before 6 a. m. or after D. m
Senate Pages Excepted.
It is provided that the bill shall not
apply 10 any child employed by the
United States Senate. thus excepting the
pages, and in the same proviso the Judge
OF the Juvenile Court is given authority
70 Issue a permit for the employment OF
any child between the ages OF twelve and
fourteen. upon the application Of parent,
guardian, or next friend. when satisfac-
tory evidence Is furnished that the chiId's
assistance is necessary 10 its own support
or that Of a disabled III, or invalid father.
mother, or younger brother or sister. or
Of widowed mother. II is provided.
however, that such permits shall not ap-
ply TO any form Of employment which
in the courts Judgment would place the
child in danger Of physical or moral In
jury, and the permits must be issued for
stated time, remaining Teyocabie at any
time in the courts discretion.
30 child under sixteen may be en-
ployed in any OF the establishments
named above, unless the employer keeps
on file, and open so the inspection of in
spectors provided for IN the bill, two con-
plete lists OF all the children he en-
plOys, one to be posted conspicuously
near the entrance to the establishment.
together with the age and schooling
certificates approved by the proper eu-
thorities. In exceptional cases, how
ever, the judge of the Juvenile Court
may, upon recommendation OF the super
! intendent of schools. waive the necessity
Of the schooling certificate. the age Ger
tiflCate duly sworn to as prescribed 10 the
bill. in such case senutling the child,
with the approval OF the court, TO be
employed.
Heavy Penalties Provided.
Persons employing or allowing to De
employed children in violation Of the act
shall be adjudged guilty Of a misde-
meanOr, and be subject 20 a fine Of not
more than $50. and any person who. after
being notified BY a truant officer or other
proper agent that he is violating the
law. continues to violate il shall be fined
not more than so day during the time
that the violation continues. Persons who
knowingly sign a false certificate are
subject to a fine Of SO.
No child under sixteen may be en-
plOyed in any work for more than eight
hours a day. or before a. m. or after Z
D m, nor may the number OF hours Of
work required in any one week exceed
forty-eight. Employers are required TO
post printed notices showing the hours
of work required. the hour of going 10
work, the hour Of release from work, and
the hours given TO meals.
The Commissioners Of the District are
authorized to appoint two inspectors to
carry out the intention Of the act, who
shall receive $500 a year each.
Restricts Newspapers Boys.
No child under ten years old shall work
as bootblack OF vender of newspapers or
other articles in the District, and after
July 1 next all children under sixteen en-
gsging in such work will be required 10
wear a badge and carry certificate is
sued by the proper authority. upon ap-
piication of parent, guardian, OF in the
absence Of either of those, his next
friend. But no child, even if provided
with such permit. may perform such
work after 10 p. m. or before q. m.
Children may be employed In a theat-
rical exhibition il the written consent OF
one OF the District Commissioners is first
obtained, under conditions prescribed IN
the act.