The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-18
Spent Year in Hospital.

Some time ago one of his legs was
So badly crushed that he was forced
to spend year An the hospital.
MANY OF these boys spend ten
hours or more daily I'm the blacknesS
OF the mine. They are lank and UNI
developed, some are anaemic and all
show the effects OF being deprived OF
the health-giving sunlight.
In a mine in the southern part OF
the state trapper (door boy named
Alfred, about IA years old, has tended
doors for several years during the
school vacation period. When asked
whether he preferred to attend school
because il was more fun than mining,
he answered.. This yere work amt
no fun"
"At another mine boy of about Is
years said he had trapped in that re-
gion for several years. In another
place several trappers were found, one
a little fellow known as Son, who
| looked 10 be about IL years old, and
who had been trapping for six years.
Another of the boys. Ernest by
name, who looked 10 be about 10, had
been employed there three years. &C
cording TO the foreman.
There is the everpresent element
of danger from one source or another
for these little fellows, such as cave
ms. explosions, humping of coal cars
or contact with live wires.
THE cold Indifference of the en-
ployer and the greed OF the parents
are depriving these young boys of the
| benefits they might secure from educa-
tion-robbing them Of better wages
they might earn in a few years as a
result OF increased intelligence and
efficiency that would be acquired at
school"
Moral Atmosphere Bad.
In writing of the employment OF
children in the glass factories or the
state, Mr. Chopper says:
In the manufacture OF bottles and
tableware a great many children, both
! boys and girls, are employed. These
children work both in the blowing and
packing rooms.
The boys range in age from 10 to
IA, the girls from IL To Is. The moral
atmosphere is decidedly not of the
best and the influences among these
young girls are extremely bad.
In spite of the fact that most or
the public schools were in session at
the time of my visit. there were found
! in the factories many children from
! - to IS years of age.
Two boys OF ~ and men over 40
were found in one place working side
| by side carrying bottles To the ovens
An argument in itself that young
boys are not necessary to the trade.
! Girls as young as IL were found
wrapping aud packing; one indeed
confessed suddenly that she was Is
and was instantly reprimanded by y
man az her side who whispered Say
a..
"Of the 2 boys interviewed In one
( factory. not one could read or write.
When one things of the lives the
parents OF these children live one won
ders what they do for amusement
When asked about their diversions
one man said, oh. we booze and gam
BILE
Another said. There ought to be
some kind of good amusement; we
would be willing 10 pay well Tor II;
We spend lots.
What OF the children growing NJ
in this atmosphere? Are they getting
a-sauare- deal 2-'-
AS an illustration OF the law re
curing boys to furnish the affidavit
OF parent or guardian in case OF doubt
as To age. Mr. Chopper quotes Ger
tain foreman:
Yes. the boys lie about their age
but If they bring an affidavit that lets
~ ouf