Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-22
CHILDREN ON STAGE
Ban on Juvenile Performers Is
Opposed.
SEEK COMMISSIONERS AID
Appeal From Alliance for the Pro.
lection Of Stage
Children.
EEK COMMISSIONERS AID

Declaring that Washington theater-
goers will be prevented from witnessing
plays requiring children in the principal
parts If the Roberts bill to regulate the
employment Of child labor in the District
should become a law, officials of the
National Alliance for the Protection OF
Stage Children have asked the District
Commissioners to use their influence tc
prevent the passage Of the measure
The alliance. which is an organization
composed Of prominent representatives OF
the stage, the clergy, authors, college
professors and business men, in its letter
to the Commissioners asserts that the
Dill. If passed in its present form, wholly
will prevent children from participating
In dramatic performances in the District
Not only will this lead to hardship in
many families where the children are
the principal breadwinners, 1t Is asserted
but children will be denied dramatic
training. which. it is urged, is essentia
If the highest type of artist is to be de.
velOped, and, in addition. residents OF
the capital will be denied seeing many
good plays requiring children In the prin-
cipal parts-playS which almost invariably
are OF the uplift type.
Action by Commissioners.
The Commissioners already have
taken action that will be in accord
with the policy of the alliance, as.
January IL, in a report sent to the
House District committee they Enclosed
draft of an amendment to the pres
ent child labor law which. they stated,
in their opinion, is preferable to the
Roberts bill.
If the amendment is incorporated the
Commissioners will retain the authori-
ty, now lodged in them to make ex-
emptions Of the application of the child
labor law. with certain restrictions, in
the case of children employed in
theatrical exhibitions.
The Roberts bill failed to include sec
ton sixteen of the present law, which
is as follows:
THAT nothing in this act contained
shall apply to the employment of any
child in a theatre exhibition. pro-
vided the written consent of one Of the
Commissioners of the District of Co
lumbia is first obtained. Such consent
shall specify the name of the child, it's
age, the names and residence of its
parents or guardians, together with the
Report by Commissioners.
In referring to the failure Of the
hODeftS OIL 10 lIlcluOc lfllS SoCllOIl, lHc
Commissioners, in their report, said
There are reasons both in favor Of and
against such legislation. The discretion
given by this section is susceptible to
abuse by the opportunity it affords for
the employment of children in cheap
theaters for the exhibition of their skill
and talents for popular amusement, which
is liable to interfere with their school
work by the effect of the late hours such
employment involves. and to expose them
to undesirable surroundings.
ION the other hand, employment OF this
kind is frequently obtained by mothers
and guardians of such children, who thus
derive a material portion Of the means
needful for their support. There are also
occasional instances in which the employ
men of children in the larger theaters is
essential to the proper staging of plays,
where the exposure Of children to hard
ship or other injurious influences is mini
mized. The Commissioners have no re-
ports tending to show that any of the
permits thus far issued under that Sec
ton have entailed hurtful consequences.
1T is, therefore. for Congress to deter
mine the ACCESSIBILITY Of resembling the
legislation contained in this section, which
would be the case il the bill should be
enacted with that section excluded"