New-York tribune., 1912-04-07

Stsvtnsu ~
Winter Garden
THE STAGE CHILD
Francis Wilson Replies to Jane
AddamS and Others.

In the discussion of the Child on the
Stage l think we should be grateful at least
for one thing; that is. the recent admission
by Miss Jane Adams. if she has been cor
rectly quoted, that, in plays Of the better
class. the stage child is not on the same
level with the wan-faced child Of the mill
and factory. l think we all feel that, but
up 10 the time Miss Adams gave utter
ance 10 It none Of the opponents Of the
child on the stage has been big enough and
generous enough TO make such an admis-
sion.
OF course, the child Of the stage is not
IN the same degrading category with the
ill-paid, overworked child Of the mill and
the factory, and. of course, again, the
stage offers to its children educational ad-
yantages and conditions not dreamed Of in
the mill and workshop, and, this being so.
how can we be so inconsistent, so unjust,
as is the case in Illinois and Massachusetts,
as to wish TO govern the stage child by laws
obviously made in the interest Of the child
of the factory?
Furthermore, IT is a fact which l think Is
not to be controverted. that the trainers OF
the laws I'm Illinois and Massachusetts with
respect to child labor had no thought
whatever that such laws were intended 10
apply to the stage child. That application
was an atterthought. following the wave OF
sympathy and affection which is sweeping
America from one end to the other, having
for its object the protection Of all chill
dren And, as usual. 1t Will be oftentlmes
through the generous donations Of the ser
vices Of actors and managers that the
sinews Of war will be supplied for the sup
port and extension Of this very movement
for child protection.
Now, we are all heart and soul in synpa-
thy with this movement. But If it can be
shown that a rigid application of the law
is working an injustice TO particular class
of children (Which IL was or was not meant
TO affect), then our sense OF right and
wrong will surely supply remedy. The
New York law with respect to children on
the stage supplies that remedy. The Colo
rsdo law is better, for II affords greater
protection and insures essential, general
studies to the children.
For myself. l am now rather glad that
the factory laws have been made unjustly
to include the stage child. 1t has called at
tention to that child and It's requirements.
A proper understanding of that injustice
cannot but result in removal of the
stigma thus put upon the drama For you
do stigmatize the drama II you permit 1t
10 be classed as a trade, instead Of an art.
"The youngest of the sister arts, where
all their beauty blends" as the poet sang
Of it. A proper understanding OF 1t should
reHlIt In Massachusetts, and Illinois modi-
flying their present laws so that they VIII
discriminate between the best theatres
patronized by the best peoplpe, and by
class of theatres in which no reputable
member of the dramatic profession would
appear
1t will also make legal discrimination
between children employed in theatres OF a
low type and those employed in plays and
theatres where the surroundings are arts-
tic and the opportunity uplifting.
In short, have too much confidence III
our American sense OF fair play TO suppose
that proper understanding Of the matter
can result otherwise than in full justice
being done 20 the public, to the drama ana
above all, to the stage child.
But what are stage children good forT
Miss Adams asks. "Dazzled by the garish"
ness of stageland, he or she will not willing
say "a back Il. hurndrum life. and settle into
p