New Britain herald., 1919-09-24
EMPLOYED CHILDREN;
 MUST PAY $2OO FINE
Charles Wells, Barber, Guilty Of
 Violating Child Labor Law
KLETT PLAYS ACCUSED MAN

Judge Neslxiu Remarks That His Only
 Regret Is That Law Does Not Pro-
 vide Jail Sentences in Such Cases
 Both Boys Under II Years.
 Judge James T. Meskill this morn ing imposed fines of S10O and costs on each of two counts charging Charles w. Wells with having in his employ two boys under the age of 14 years, and in passing sentence the judge took occasion to remark that he regretted the absence in the statute of a clause which would empower him to impose a jail penalty. Wells is connected with a shop which he claims is owned by his wife, Mrs. Signe Wells, and which is conducted in the basement under Morgan & Kingsley's as a boot black establishment, barber shop, magazine store, cigar and candy store and barbers supply shop.
 Accused Orders Witness Away.
 Two boys, Michael Erno. aged 12, and Joseph Di Pace, aged 12, were the principal witnesses for the state, and the testimony of each comprised a separate count against the accused. Both had been working in the estab lishment under orders from Wells, they claim, and his arrest followed his refusal to pay them off last Monday. A third boy, Thomas Saunders, has been employed there for several weeks, and also gave damaging testi- mOny. Questioned by Prosecutor Klett the boy admitted that he had been ordered from the police station about a quarter of an hour before the trial started by Wells, but was brought back to Court by Officer Mofitt upon the request of the court. The prose- cutor attached great significance to Wells desire not to have the boys testimony heard
 Would Put Sergeant Out.
 Sergeant Johnson, who made the ar rest, was sent last Monday to the shop by Chief Rawlings to inquire about the ages of the boys employed there and to find out why Erno had been refused the S2 for his pay. The sergeant talk
 ed to Wells and was told that the boy was not employed there but worked for whatever tips he could secure from patrons Asked if he wasn't supposed to pay the boy, Wells offered no an- swer. When the policeman made known his identity Wells is charged with having said, "If you don't behave yourself I'll put you out just the sam @ as I'd put anyone else out At that time the officer said Wells was in charge of the store.
 It was not the first meeting of John son and Wells, the detective having been sent on another occasion to the shJ emaking and boot backing store conducted by him on Myrtle street to recover a bicycle about a month ago. Before Wells would allow him to question the employees of the shop it was necessary for Johnson to produce his badge.
 Worked for $2.
 The Erno boy, on the witness stand
 told of having been employed for one week for the tips he received from patrons and of having been hired after that time for s2 a week He and an- other bootblack went outside the shop
 and fooled one day. and for their ac- tions they were "doCked.' receiving g at the end of the week but 50 cents. In addition to shining shoes the du- ties of his job was to sell shoe-laces and the hours of work were from 3:30
 to o'clock. The boy was born in
 Italy and knows the month of his birth but not the year. He's sure that he Is but 12 years of age, however, because he asked his dad last night, he told the court
 Wages Are "DOcked" Joseph Di Pace also worked from 3:30 to 9 o'clock daily shining shoes and selling 1aces at the weekly wage of S2. He has been employed for over two months at the shop starting at the lowly sum of 75 cents and work ing up to $2. He had been "docked" only once and that time quarter for breaking a bottle
 The motion of his attorney, Michael Sexton that Wells be granted a dis charge after the States evidence had been presented was denied by Judge | on the stand.
 Denies Ownership. Wells denied having any authority [ in the barber shop giving his oc- 1 cupation as a journeyman barber in | the employ of Mrs. Signe Wells his wife. He has never employed any 1 one nor did he have the power to l employ or pay the boys. he testified. Several times during the day Mrs.
 Wells visits the shop and takes the 1 daily earnings home each evening. John Goslyn is the foreman of the | place in her absence. He has been 1 connected with the place for several l months coming to work as an em- 1 ploye of Wells Brothers, a firm com l posed of Walter and Charles Wells. l his sons According to his story he | doesn't know who hires the help. pavs (Continued on Fifteenth Page). |