Child Labor Laws a Success, 1910

Eastern Carolina News, Kenansville, N.C., August 17, 1910

Child Labor Law a Success

The successful operation of the District of Columbia’s Child Labor Law is indicated in a report made by Charles C. Estes, a police officer, who was detailed to supervise the enforcement of the law. He says that there has been very little trouble resulting from the law, and that under its provisions advancement has been made, 130 business firms having discontinued the employment of children under 16 years of age. Records quoted in the report show 377 places of business employing 510 children under 16 during the year ending July 1.

Newsboys’ badges were issued to 1,987 lads, and only 18 boys were arrested for selling things on the street after 10 o’clock p.m. in violation of the law.

“We had little or no trouble with the boys selling papers on the street after 10 o’clock at night,” Mr. Estes reported, “and no trouble at all with boys coming and going into saloons.”