The Washington times., 1912-01-22
DEFENDS
PLACING CHILDREN
ON THEATER STAGE
Augustus Thomas, President
National Body, Asks Aid
of the Commissioners.

The aid of the Commissioners in re-
tanning for children the right to appear
In dramatic performances in the Dis
trtct Is urged by Augustus Thomas.
president Of the National Alliance for
the Protection of Stage Children, in a
letter received by the board today. At
tention is directed by Mr.. Thomas to
the bill recently introduced by Con-
gresham Roberts of Nevada to amend
the child labor law. in which no pro-
vision is made for the appearance Of
children In theatrical exhibitions.
Section is of the present law provides
that nothing in the act shall apply to
the employment of any child In the
atrical exhibition, providing the written
consent OF one of the Commissioners is
first obtained.
In their report to Congress the Com
missioners said there are reasons both
In favor Of and against such a provi-
sion. and 1t Is, therefore. for Congress
to determine the advisability of re-
scinding the legislation contained in this
section.
Far-Reaching Results.
Il am quite sure" says Mr.. Thomas,
'the Commissioners did not have pre-
scented to them the possible far-reaching
results In this bill, not only in the Dis
trict Of Columbia, but as to the whole
| OF the United States. 1t has been dem
onstrated beyond peradventure that dra-
matte training in childhood is essential,
II the highest type of artist Is to be
developed. Again. the children of the
stage are often recruited from the mid
die or lower walks of life, and from
| fa-,ilies whose normal income Is such
that the children are frequently not
| only poorly nourished, but poorly
clothed. In recent investigation of the
| salaries earned by children participating
In performances In New York, II was
shown that the salaries range as high
as $40 week. a number getting in ex-
cess of $25 week, and the average be-
age earning Of the head of the family.
There has been an organized effort
| on the part of a number Of people
based, We believe, on transformation
seeking to debar children from the
stage. In consequence, this organiza-
ton, which is composed largely Of min.
listers, child-workers, and persons di.
rectly Interested In the welfare of chill.
dren, was formed for the purpose OF
protecting the stage-life child in Its
effort to obtain dramatic education and
| training, at the same time procuring
advantages not otherwise possible.
call your attention TO such public-spir.
tied citizens as the Rev. r. C. Shcer
the Rev. Percy g. Grant, ministers
| prominent in New York; John w
| Grant, president Of the National Acad.
envy Of Fine Arts; Mrs. Kate Douglas
Virgins, Julia Marlowe. Annie Russell
Mrs. F1ske, and a host Of others, who
| know the needs of stage children.
The National Effect.
| you can well see the national effect
OF law prohibiting the appearance
| Of children at the National Capital
The so-called reformers seeking to de.
bar stage children will seize upon that
in every State as a. precedent"
| 'As far as the interests of the Dis.
| trict are concerned, It will mean thai
host of the very best plays will bt
! prohi bited from the District. The es
| sence of childhood cannot be conveyed
| by dwarfs and deformities, and we
| therefore, appeal to you not only in the
interest OF the children themselves bu
| In the interest of the drama and the
| public to use your influence In securinl
such a law as will permit the partici
patton of children in dramatic works
| in the District"