The Washington times., 1908-08-16
Anton Ostmann, a Butcher,
Wants Boys TO Learn
His Trade.
LITTLE FELLOWS
WILLING TO WORK
Attend School Faithfully, But Want
to Aid Parents During
Their Vacation.

child labor law says they cannot; that
even their Saturdays must be spent In
idleness, because they are not sixteen.
i propose TO test the law Congress
passes some foolish laws, and the hum
BILE private citizen then must spend his
money to have II undone."
Anton Ostmann, a butcher, with
stands IN the Riggs and o street mar
kets, glanced approvingly at his two
sturdy sons. Anton, jr., aged fourteen,
and William, aged twelve. as he spoke
Anton and William glanced admiringIy
at their father. They are willing 10
assist in testing that phase of the law
which many Washington parents are
Oojecting Jo-the mandate that a father
cannot have his child perform any Ia
Dor whatever. exc5Dt by special permit.
To show that they were in earnest,
Anton and William went TO the market
yesterday, as usual and did odd little
chores about their fathers stands. run
ming errands. weighing a pound of sau
sage now and then, and answering the
phone.
VIII Make Charge.
IL has been tacitly agreed that the
inspectors Will prefer a charge and the
LEGAL battle viii be on, following or
perhaps prior to the receipt OF Judge
De I.acvs reply To me fathers final
appeal for a permit. MI Ostmann has
tried the Commissioners and has also
seen Judge De Lacy without avail. so
far. but he las written the Judge the
following letter:
II thought I might obtain a ruling
from the Commissioners that would per
nit my boys helping me in the market.
but they refer me 10 you. as you will
note by their reply 10 my letter which
] enclose.
Now. Judge you know that j would
not have my boys 90 any work that
would injure their health. If / would
stretch a point 1 might say, like others,
that / need their help. In fact, / do
need Z when l consider that they are
not doing any good for me or for them
selves when -ley are idle. / wish you
would write ME and tell me If there is |
any way TO accomplish this without vio- /
laung the law
Judge De Lacy's reply has not been |
forthcoming o1 account of his absence
from the city In the event that it is /
uHfavorable. as was Judge De Lacy's !
decision when Mr. Ostmann personally !
appeared at the Juvenile Court ana /
asked for the permit. the test case viii /
Ensue-
Boys Want to Work,
DO YOU boys want TO work at the /
markets on Saturday, a reporter asked /
the two lads.
Sure" they replied. IT'S not hard
work. and we like it."
Anton. it,. and William really looked |
lonesome as they pondered on what dis
position they would make of their time
in future-a case oC all play and no
work. The nearest thing TO the desired
permit granted the boys was ceruti-
cate emitting them 10 run lerrands. All
indoor work. even for an hour. was
tabooed. Said Mr.. Ostmann:
My boys have gone to school regu-
larry. / never have kept them away
from their studies an hour. Their little
work at the market maybe takes three
OF four hours some days, generally on
Saturdays They asked TO learn the
business: they take a boyish pride IN
it. / agreed, because I do not expect
10 live always, and, although they
never may follow my trade, il VIII not
hurt them 10 know it and be able 10
support their mother.
Yet. under the new Child-labOr law,
these two boys cannot even split a pine
box into kindIing wood, if I afterward
use that wood about my business.
The Judges Answer.
Judge De Lacy said. Let them work
about the house, / have no work for
them TO do at home, consequently they
Will remain IDLE. / began TO work a
little when I was lad of their age,
over in the old country. 1t never hurt
me But / am not permitted to have
my boys weigh out a pound of lard,
10 run on an errand from one stand in
the market TO another, because / can
not conscientously state that my boys
labor is for the benefit of a destitute
family or something of that kind.
Since 1 appealed TO the Commission
ers have received a number Of con-
gratuIations and assurances of support,
although 1 am loath to waste money on
testing nonsensical laws. However. /
think the matter should be settled I
want 10 obey the law. but 1 do most
strenuously object to being compelled
10 see my children grow up in Idle
ness just at the time they are most
susceptible 10 influence. / do not want
10 be deprived of the opportunity of
bringing them up prepared TO be SELF
sustaining, respectable citizens"
Education Not Lacking.
The appIica tions of the two lads for
permits are signed in a clear, bold
hand. indicating that their education
has not been neglected. They are bright
little fellows and seem TO want TO help
papa"
The few hours work, just as the no. :
ton struck them during the week. has {
not hurt them they say, and they are ]
quite willing 10 let the test battle rage I
about their heads. I
The disnositfon of the case will he I
awaited with interest by a number Of :
parents who hold views similar 10 Mr..
Ostmann's, but who have been warned Z
boy the inspectors that the slightest in !
fringement Of the law must be investi- I
gated.
AVERAGE.