The Washington herald., 1908-01-26
STOPS CHILD LABOR
Commissioner Macfarland'S
Bill Has This in View.
WITH CONGRESS NEXT WEEK
Measure, Which Has Been Approved
by Various ChiId-Iabor Organiza-
tions of Country, Aims 20 Prevent
Employment of Persons Under 16.
Penalties for Violation Heavy.

A bill regulating child labor in the Dis
trict of Columbia has been drafted by
Commissioner Macfarland. acting on the
advice of the National Child Labor Com
mittee. The bin affects all children under
the age Of sixteen years and those who
employ such children.
Although this child-labor act is re-
vision of the one presented 10 the last
Congress, Commissioner Macfarland con-
siders the bin almost ideal He is not
alone in his appreciation, for it has met
with the approval Of all the organizations
and authorities on the subject OF child
labor in this country.
When the bin is presented 10 Congress
next week, it is expected it will become a
law, as 1t not only Is approved by the
citizens of Washington, but by the child
labor experts OF the country.
Commissioner MacfarIaud. in speak
ing Of it yesterday. said: hope for
favorable action by Congress at this
session upon this bin, the last impor-
tant measure in the Commissioners
programme of social legislation.
'e+-A+N.AA ~ NAAtt tAE @iA n FAl y aH1fr
The bill as drafted yesterday In its
revised form provides
Provisions of,the BHi.
That no eaiId sader f7arteeu years oi aKe shall -
employed, permitted, or suffered % WORK in the Dis
inCt Of Columbia m ans factory workshop. merCan-
tale establishment. Store business office. telegIaiL
oiace. restaurant hotel. Apartment house. theater.
bowling alley In the distribution or transmission
of merchandise oF messagla No sucl child shall ha
employed n ans U0rs performed flr 4ages or ether
colupaEsstien O. ahauz9eysr payable during the
hours when tle public schools u tls District Of Co
luEbia are in session, nor before the bo,ir of 6
CLOCK iu The morning ~ after the hour Of O'Clock
ia che evening
The bin also provides that no child
under sixteen years shall be employed or
permitted TO work In the District Of Co
lumbia unless the person or corporation
employing him or her pTocures and keeps
on file a certificate Of schooling and age
two copies of which shall be made. one
OF which shall be accessible e. the truaut
officers and inspectors of the District by
being conspicu0usly posted near the prin-
cipal entrance Of the building I'm which
the children shall be employed.
The certificate must bc signed by the
superintendent Of public schools or a
notary. and no fee shall be charged for
the administration of the oath contained
in il.
Must BE Properly Signed.
Furthermore, the certificate must be
signed by the parent or guardian Of the
child. attesting that the child is OF the
proper age, naming the place Of birth,
and testifyiHg that the child can read
at sight and write, leg!bly, simple SEN
tences in English; that the child has
reached the normal development, is in
sound health, and is physically able to
perform the work expected; that il has
regularly attended school not less than
$50 days during the school year. previous
10 arriving at the age of fourteen years,
or during the year previous TO applying
for such record, and has received during
such period, instruction in reading. spell
ing, English, grammar, and geography.
and is familiar with the fundamental
operations Of arithmetic up 10 and in
cluding fractions.
The penalty for violation of the pro-
visions Of this bin is that whoever en-
pl0ys a child under sixteen years of age.
anC whoever having under his control
a child under such age, permits such
child to be employed, shall be fined
not more than $50; and whoever
continues to employ any child in viO-
laton Of the provisions Of the act after
being notified by a truant officer of the
District of Columbia, or an authorized
inspector, shall, for every day thereafter
that such employment continues. be fined
not less than s.. nor more than $40.
Any corporation or employer retaining
any age and schooling certificate in viO-
laion of the act shall be fined SO. Every
person who signs the certificate who
knowingly certifies TO any materially
false statement therein shall be fined not
more than $50.
Juvenile Court Has Jurisdiction.
The Juvenile Court of the District of
Columbia shall have Jurisdiction over
such cases that fall under the violation
of the provisions Of the act
It is furthermore provided that no
minor under sixteen years of age shall
be permitted to work in any establish
ment more than eight hours a day, and
in no case shall the number Of hours
exceed forty-eight in a week.
The District Commissioners are author
ized to appoint two inspectors to carry
out the provisions of the act at a com
pensation not exceeding 1920 each per
annum.
PRAISES VETERAN CHIEF