The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-11-17
Mrs. Bradford Finds Children
Unable to Go to School on
Account of Hunger
SEES NEED Of STRONG UNION
Declares That Children are Violating
the Compulsory Education Law TO
Aid in Keeping Wolf From the
Door Of Their Homes

Mrs. Mary D. Bradford has sent out
an open letter to the people of Kenosha
in which she is making strong plea
for union Of the various charitable
organizations in the city to take care
of people who are suffering from lack
of food and clothing. She has found
that children are being forced to stay
out of school on account of hunger and
on account of the fact that the few
cents they can earn by their work is
sufficient to keep the wolf from some
doors and aid in providing food and
clothing for even smaller children. In
her letter Mrs. Bradford says:
"Not a day goes by, that I do not
feel the need of charitable organiza-
ton to which [ may appeal for help in
the cause of some child.
At 9:15 a. m. and 145 p. m. all cases
of absence in any public school, which
can not be accounted for by the Prin-
cipal are reported, by telephone, to the
Office of the Superintendent and there
recorded. The truant officer then tele-
phones for instructions and begins his
regular work of looking up these cases.
Mr.. Scholey, the truant officer some
times finds that the children have will
fully absented themselves without the
consent of their parents. Sometimes
he finds that the parents have kept
child out Of school to work or 60 on
some trivial errand, sometimes the
child has stayed out to peddle bills or
deliver meat or other goods for some
store keeper. When parents and store
keepers are made to understand their
liability to a fine of $25 for causing
violation of the compulsory educa.
ton law of Wisconsin, they readily
promise no further interference with
the regular school attendance of the
child.
But sometimes it is found that it is
the pressing need of food or clothing
that has caused the absence. The few
cents that an eight or ten year old
boy or girl may earn, are needed by the
mothers, to buy food; or the child has
staid at home because he had no break
fast.
1t was only yesterday that a little
Italian boy was reported and followed
up, when it was found that the family
was without food. The family consists
of mother and two children, the faith
er being dead. The daughter a girl
OF fifteen or sixteen works at the
knitting factory. Now she is out of
employment and there is no income for
the family. The boy did not come to
school because he was too hungry.
Poor children in city like Kenosha.
where philanthropic work is as vet I'M
systematized are worse off than those
in large city. But Kenosha is fast
becoming large city and should begin
to think about these matters. Milwau-
kee has its United Charities, by which
"a union is effected of all church and
benevolent societies, into central or
ganization, which is under competent
management and thus help is given iu-
diciously and promptly, when needed.
Milwaukee has also Woman $ Club
the Woman s School Alliance of Wis
consin, that works wholly for the in
terests of the public schools. They
have established ten or more nennv
lunch stations in public school build-
ings and last year from October TO
April served $4,000 lunches at a cost
of 1880.
The public school teachers of Ken
osha are doing all they can to make
the school rooms of the city pleasant
and profitable places for the children
to be. The school board sees to # that
the rooms are warmed and have nronar
Janltor service. The Superintendent
with the help of an excellent truant
officer is endeavoring to seeure for
every child it's right for a full share
IN these benefits. But a hungry child
cannot learn, no matter how ideal these
conditions; and the truant officer can
not oblige a ragged and thinlv clad
child to go through the cold to school
Viii not some person or persons in
Kenosha start movement for the es.
Enlistment of some form of united
charities, some organization ready to
help any person Of any nationality or
sect; something to defend little child
rem in their rights to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness,
Mary D. Bradford.