The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-19
Employers Cooperate With
Authorities in Carrying
Out Provisions.
EIGHT-HOUR DAY
PUT INTO FORCE
Conditions Not Like Sweatshops of
Other Cities-ArreSts VIII Be
Delayed Until August /.

After a week of inspection of all
classes and kinds of industries, during
which time they had a thorough chance
10 estimate conditions IN the District,
tho new child labor inspectors think
that the Encouragement of Juvenile la
Dor in this city Will be easily and eff
fectively accomplished with but little
trouble.
None Of the supposed horrible con-
ditiOns," so frequently talked o. in the
past, were found by the inspect 0rs, the
principal failing being an inclination 20
allow juvenile employees to work longer
than the eight hours allowed by the
new regulations.
With this first week as a criterion, il
is reasonable 10 suppose that the
changes in various department stores,
factories and offices will be effected
without difficulty inasmuch as several
Of the larger concerns had arranged
al eight-hour schedule before the visit
OF the inspectors.
No Parallel With Sweatshop7.
OF the several hundred industrial con-
Germs and business houses visited about
$50 were found 10 be employing a large
number Of children under sixteen years
Of age. Most Of these concerns were
using their employees on the eight-hour
basis Such as were not explained that
they would effect a change as soon as
feasible. In no instance were the chill
dren found to be greatly overworked
or underfed, and, in fact, no parallel
can be drawn between the well regu-
lated and roomy establishments in
Washington ana the sweatshops in
other cities.
The place affOrding the largest field
for research was the telegraph Offices,
all Of which had in their employ as
messengers q number of boys under
the age limit.
In many instances the EFFORT on the
part Of the inspectors to have the boys
removed met with the violent disap-
provai Of the parents, and IN several
cases application was made to the Ju-
venile Court for the reinstatement Of
the lads.
At one large department store. where
there were sixty-nine youngsters, many
of them a substantial means OF sup
port to their families. IL was said that
the children would all be dismissed as
soon as possible. owing to the inability
of the firm TO arrange its schedule TO
meet the requirements Of the new
law
Majority Rearrange Schedules.
This, however, was the exception
Several other large stores. after careful
efforts, have arranged schedules which
will maintain the efficiency OF their
work and at the same time permit
the children to continue in their present
occupation without coming under the
ban Of the law.
The present investigation" said In
spector Estes yesterday. is more in
the nature Of an appraisal of local
conditions than an investigation de-
handing instantaneous reform. No ar
rests will certainly be made before
August. and should the large concerns
find difficulty in rearranging their help
they may be extended an even longer
period Of grace.
The conditions met by the inspectors
so far have been in no way terrible.
There is every reason to believe that
the new law will become effective With
out any great suffering on the part Of
any one
Many Apply for Permits.
A steady stream of little boys and
girls filed into the Juvenile Court yes
terday morning applying for permits to
work Each was accompanied by a
parent or relative, who, with the child
took the usual oath. The greater num-
Der Of applications were for messen-
gers positions. In those cases where the
character of the work was not stated
the court INSTRUCTED the parents or
guardians to return to report when a
position had been obtained.
The court insists upon its right 70
determine whether OF not each child
individually is physically able to work
and whether the positions obtained for
each are the proper ones for the chill
dren 10 have. Thirty or more permits
were given yesterday morning.