"Says Boys Are Held Slaves ... Campaign Among the Greek Sellers of Fruit" article - Chicago Daily Tribune, June 9, 1904

Published by the Chicago Daily Tribune, June 9, 1904

SAYS BOYS ARE HELD SLAVES

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State Factory Inspector Davies Begins

a Campaign Among the Greek

Sellers of Fruit.

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With the opening of the fruit season, Sate Factory Inspector Edgar T. Davies has inaugurated a campaign against Greek stores where the child labor law is violated.  The first result came yesterday when John N. Varellas of the Chicago Fruit House company at 159 Adams street was fined $20 and costs by Justice Severson for employing two 14 year old boys without school certificated from 7 o'clock in the morning until 1 o'clock at night.

"This is only one of the cases where the Greek boys are treated almost as slaves," said Mr. Davies.  "They are imported to this country to a condition of slavery, and their relatives get their wages."

Complaints were made by the factory inspector against the following firms:

George Deamantepolas, 1801 Elston avenue, fruit dealer, one boy under age working until 11 p.m.

Louis Cashiespulos, 612 North California avenue, fruit dealer, one 14 year old boy working overtime.

Pris Papas, 168 North Clark street, fruit dealer, one 14 year old boy working overtime.

Peter Pemmaro, 51 West Ohio street, peddler, one 13 year old boy working overtime.

William Macaros, 1387 North Canal street, one 14 year old boy working until 12 p.m.

Grommes & Kennedy, 230 East Kinzie street, cigar dealers; three girls and one boy working overtime.

Mr. Davies has been appointed by the governor a delegate of the national conference of charities and corrections.