Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-07-24
BETWlX'T TWO FIRES.

S1
not, but, as the Gazette has often
observed, there are too many laws
and departments in every state III
the union. Some Of these statutes
the conceptions of people of good
intentions, we believe TO be 'inneccs-
sary and in some cases harmful. The
code Of Virginia abounds iii SUCH,
and it will be interesting reading to
study the next Issue Wnich will short
" appear 1t viii be about one-th!rd
more bulky than that of 1887.
Tn the Police Court Of Alexandria
this morning the proprietors u lYe
manufactures had hen cited To APP
pear and show cause why they should
not be fined for violating the child
labor and safety laws OF the state.
The charges had been preferred by
the factory inspector connected with
the Bureau Of Labor and Industrial
statistics Of the State. The object CT
the Trainers III the Law III compel
ling manufacturers To have safety ap-
plianccs in their plants IS be com
mended. Operatives should not be eX-
posed to any dangers which can be
minimized or eliminated altogether.
The lawmakers in attemptin. 10 pre-
vent anyone from working children an
der certain ages may also mean well.
But in listening to the evidence III
the cases referred to above we could
not avoid falling INTO . S0lilOqn.y. 1t
was alleged IN u case that q G:rl
thirteen years OF age and a boy q
year OF two younger had been sewing
buckles upon overalls III Z factory.
tt was stated that mother Of the
children worked by the piece IN The
factory, and by her own labor was
able to earn six dollars a week. With
the helm of her two children. however,
she managed to realize about eight
dollars a week. The children were moi
upon the pay roll Of the factory. II
was merely 4 matter between tie
mother and her little ones during
the time they are aaahlc IL attend
school. The charge was dismissed,
but a PERM; will hc accessory from
the Judge Of the Corporation CourI
before the children can work III the
FACTORY in future.
Another case was that Of the pro
prietcr Of the branch OF a large cracker
and cake manut&ctory. 1t WAS alleged
chat negro boys under fourteen years
Of age had been found cleaning cake
boxes. The proprietor in his defense
said the boys worked irregularly. and
received fifty ccn:s a day. Sometimes
they worked for as many cakes as
z:2ey coula cat. The5 attended school
curing The regular session.
Now in regard TO the casc of tn"
woman with two children. She IS coEl-
relied to leave home and work Tor
harsclf and little ones. She does not
want 10 turn them into the streets,
and sl,e .akcs them with her FOR their
safely. We're she 10 leave them ut
home they are liable TO roam tie
streets. and become unfortunate or
incorrig:hla, when the State Board OF
Charities and Correction would open
its arms and place them in reform
. schools.
Now in regard to the colored boys.
Three dollars u week is 4 substantial
help to .hc,r mothers in the strug-
gle OF life Is in many cases the
father fails 10 help. The mother oil
the colored hoy who ii WAS charged
was hcir- worked Illegally was pres
ent this mouhM@. She gave every
indication Of being a Woodworking
Z 10 whoH two c. three dol
lars extra q week would be a God
scnt. II she turned her boy into the
street %here is no telling what educa-
ton he would receive, and lie would
DC liable TO he taken up for some OF.
tense. when the arms Of the State
Bcard Of Charities and Correction
YOU'D again open for the offender.
We were reading recently the lie
Of an t.ngli$hman who was promi-
ncnt and wealthy in his day. He was
bound out under the ola indenture
system TO 4 shoemaker, and began
WORK at SIN O'Clock: in the morning
winter and sammer and worked until
dark.
While many oruelties vera nndonht