The Washington times., 1908-08-09
Boys Always Worse in Summer.
Theron Talbot Anxious
to Work.
RECORD

Is Washington experiencing a juvenile
crime wave?
This question is being debated in po-
lice circles and among those who have
watched the trend OF conditions since
the new child labor law went into eff
feet. The records at the House Of De
tention. where the boy law breakers
are sent pending trial. show a decided
increase in crime for the last week, the
number of cases having increased more
than 100 per cent over the previous
week
The names of seventy-hve youngsters
appear on the blotter for the week end
ed last night, as compared to thirty
six for the previous week. and thirty
two for the week preceding that
For the first week in August. 1907,
the week corresponding to the FIRST
week in which the child labor law has
been in force. there were only twenty
seven boys taken 10 the House of De-
tention for crimes. an increase Of almost
LOO per cent Tor the seven days. COM
pared 10 the same period last year.
New Law Eiamed.
II is cOntended by many that the
large number Of boys rendered idle by
the operation of the new law is re-
sponsible for this great increase in
crime, confirming the proverb that an
idle brain is the devils workshop"
II is stated officially that about 500
boys have been denied permits to work.
70 which must be added a larger num-
Der who have been deferred from work
ing by their horror OF the red tape-con-
nected with the enforcement of the law
and the trouble necessary to secure
the required permits.
Many boys who have heretofore sold
papers on the streets and done other
work, such as shining shoes and
other chores, have voluntarily retired
from the Washington industrial field.
having reached the conclusion, regret
fully perhaps. that the game was not
worth the candle
At the House OF Detention the officials
hold 10 the opinion that the boys rem
dered idle during the first stages of the
new law, at least. are a potent factor
in the present crime wave. It may be.
they say, that matters viii adjust
themselves later after the law has had
time 10 get in good working order. SO
that there will be a smaller number OF
cases, but the first week Of its opera
ton is discouraging.
Boys Are Worse in Summer.
It is pointed out that there are more
boys brought to the house Of detention
IN the summer months than in the win
ter months, notwithstanding there are
more boys in the city during the lat
ter period. This condition is explained
by the fact that in the winter the bows
are either at school or otherwise en-
ployed' and have less opportunity to
get into mischief. The same rule. Il
Is claimed. viii hold good under the
new regulations, and It Is expected that
the work OF those charged with look
ing after juvenile law breakers will be
large or small as the law affects the
employment of the young workers.
There is also said TO be a great in
crease OF rowdyism at the Fairgrounds
boys who have heretofore worked in
the afternoon crowding in and start
ing a trough h-use" among the young
sters.
Justice Thomas II. Callan, who is pre-,
siding over the Juvenile Court in the
absence Of Judge DeLacey, was not pre-
pared 10 say last night that the new
child labor law was responsible for the |
increase or the docket of his cOuTt, |
stating that he had not yet had SUI
nc1enF time to make a comparison.
Test Case Comes Up Tuesday.
On Tuesday the first case to test the
Of the new law will be /
called for trial in the Juvenile Court, /
when the case OF Mrs. Scion w. Parm- |
lee. charged with Illegally employing |
thirteen-year-old Theron Talbot as an |
GRAND boy about the McGiu building /
win come Up.
Advocates Of the new child labor law
believe that it is a mistake TO push the /
Talbot case to the front as a test /
ease, the appearance o. the boy being a |
strong argument against, strict en-
forcement Of the law on the mere mat
ter Of age limit without consideration
being given TO physical conditions gen
orally.
Theron believes that he is husky
enough to do most any sort OF work.
the light errand work that
and Mrs Parmlee. Those who have
seen him agree with mis- contention. and
also believe that If IL became necessary
1e could put up pretty strong line Of |
work anywhere.
Failed to Get Judges Permit.
the information In the Talbot case
alleges that Mrs. Parmlee employed /
Theron Talbot, thirteen years OF age.
ls q telephone and errand boy on Au- !
yust at the McGin building, although
he boy had failed to get a permit
signed by the judge OF Juvenile Court.
Is required by section l OF the child
abor law.
THEREIN, who is a boy of a jOvial ma
-ure, does not relish the idea of having
the law tried out on him. and is sad and
1isconsolate as a result He has been
earning 50 a week, and claims 70 have
been putting The money to good use in
helping support the family. He believes
hat the District officials are unduly ex-
arcised about bis health and general :
worrying condition. and can not appre-
riate the fact that because ne falls a
.ew months below the fourteen-year-Old |
limit he viii have TO take a seat /
ID. the bench for a few Months 1rnftf