The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-02
LEGISLATORS FEEL GENEROUS,
Will Approve Large Appropri-
atoms for Whittier.
Visiting Statesmen Charmed With
the Reform School.
mates an d Ara Givon . Good
Dinner.


complish It"
This was the unanimous opinion ex-
pressed yesterday by the joint legisla-
tive committee that inspected the
Whittier reform school,
Il would rather vote $1,000 to this
institution than 81 for our penitentia-
riss," said one OF the senators. Here
we prevent crime, educate the young
men and women to become useful MEM
bers of society, and return them to the
world fitted for the battle OF life and to
earn their living"
These expressions Of good will on be-
half OF the legislature mean great
deal for the school. An appropriation
has bsen asked for the next two years
OF 100000 for maintenance and $685..
600 for needed improvements.
A careful examination OF the institu-
ton impresses visitors at once with the
great value to the state of reform
school that ia conducted on the princi-
pie and under the careful manage ment
OF the Whittier reform school. When
a boy is committed to the institution he
is asked to state his preferences as to
the trade he desires to learn. II he ia
undecided on this subject, bis fitneBa
for the different occupations is consid-
cred, and his parents or guardians are
consulted. He is then placed in the
shop, where he cau learn the trade OF
his choice, and he is returned to society
reformed youth. He is given q new
suit of clothes when he leaves the insti'
tuition, and he is seldom heard from
again as violator of the law.
The legislative committees, aocom~
panied by the ladies and Trustees Pat
terson and Mullen, with Congressman
MoLschlan and Hervey Lindley formed
the party that left the Arcade depot at
9:40 O'Clock yesterday. On board the
train this travellers were presented with
oranges grown On the ground, aud when
Whittier was reached, vehicles were in
readiness to draw the guests to the in
stituton. Here Superintendent Kauf-
man, with his assistant. were awaiting
the arrival of the committee and at
once chaperoned the members through
the building.
THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
The first department visited was the
electric light plant. The fuel used is
oil, and the machinery was in frst-class
order. The plant ia very extensive and
is operated entirely by the boys belong
ing to the school.
The carpenter shop was next visited
and the boys were at work making and
repairing s1oh things as are required
Tor the institution. New tools are
greatly needed in this shop, but the
bows showed wonderful knowledge Of
the mechanical work.
Tho chloe chop was examined with
great interest. There, too, the young
sters worked with skill that brought
forth words OF congratulation and sur
prise from the visitors. All the shoes
necessary for the institution are made
and repaired here.
The next department visited was the
printing shop. A weekly paper is pub.
lished there and whatever job work is
required in town is generally done here.
All the printing necessary at the instisu-
ton is turned out from this shop. New
type, q new cylinder press and job
press are the acquisitions asked for by
this department, and the Legislators
promised that the state would buy them.
The tslorahop had large number OF
boys employed. Here all the clothing
is made for the inmates and the manner
in which the garments are finished
showed that the boy who learns his
trade here will be an accomplished tailor
when he leaves the institution. Two
sewing machines and electric irons are
wanted in this department.
The laundry Yves the object of special
interest to the ladies. A new washing
machine and @ mangle should be fur
nished by the etate at once. as the pres
ent apparatus is entirely inadequate.
In the blacksmith and paint chops
the bows showed remarkable skill, es-
pecially in the latter, whore some OF the
work was artistic. Many improvements
in the way OF permanent buildings are
required in these departments that are
now carried on in mere shaoks.
By tho time these different parts had
beer visited the dinner hour had ar
rived and the party was led to the din
ing room. Owing to the limited &C
commodstionB il ia necessary to pros
vide long tables in ths halls leading
from the kitchen. But the sight that
greeted the eyes OF the visitors on enter.
ing the dining hall called forth exola-
nations OF surprise and approval. Seven
long tables superbly clean, were COW
eTed Wild neat crockeIJ, AnO large glass
center pieces contained apples and
oranges. Each act had complete out-
fit, and in long row behind the tables
were arranged the boys who act as
walters. These li.tls fellows were
dressed in white coata and aprons and
each had been supplied with bouton-
metre.
At the sound OF the bugle the boys
filed in By companies and were assigned
to their accustomed seats. Here the
beneficial influences Of the institution
were at once demonstrated. The boys
took their sears silently at the order OF
the teacher; hands we're placed under
the table. and while the chaplain prayed
avery head was reverantlv bowed. The