Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-23
IudustrieS Needed.

Attention is called to the report of Amy
Jean Rule. the superintendent of the school,
in her report to the trustees. which says
that there is room for only - girls. This
number was several times exceeded. This
necrssitated the use of the hospital room
and punishment cells as bed rooms. The
superintendent says:
We do not wish to Shirk our RESPONSE
bility. and We realize that 1t is a serious
one. but We have no means at present by
which to occupy the time and attention of
the girls. except the cooking. housework.
laundry and sewing and day school, and
the law says these girls must remain here
until reformed or until they reach the age
of tWcnty-one years. and no girl is ever
dismissed on probation until she has shown
marked Improvement in her ways, vet
nearly one-third of those dismissed are re-
turned.
Il would respectfully suggest that for
these girls between eighteen and twenty
one years of age who have been released
on probation and returned by of
misconduct, some branch of industry
laundry work. fine sewing. paper box or
understanding adopted by which they
would earn at least part of their support.
and that this class be kept apart from the
other inmates of the school. The
building is nearly completed. and l believe
that the tim" has now come when such Il
part of the work could be successfully be-
gun and carried forward.
Serious Problem Needs solution.
President Hoyt reiteratss and re-empha-
sizes the statements made in last years re
port upon the number Of girls between
eighteen and twenty-oEe years Of age who
have been inmates for several years, AMI
continues as follows
Some of these girls have been out under
indenture and on proba ton once or twice.
and have been returned because of insuhor-
di,ration untldiness. unsatisfactory or
depraved conduct in other respects in the
places which were found for them. The
record of these girls at the school has. how
ever, been, on the whole. excellent. No
one of them could fairly be classed as a
criminal. In the school they are faithful,
willing and efficient workers, and they are
quite capable of earning their living out
side by Homework and needlework. Ia
tanning such girls in the school. for Sue
ressfu conduct of which due and steady
movement and out is requisite. many
children who might be benefited by the care
and training are excluded. We believe that
such girls have been referred to would
work they ought and would behave
themselves in the places found for them IL
they knew that instead of being sent back
to the school for misbehavIor under their
inGentures they would be sent to tn" jail or
the workhouse after they reached The age
of eighteen years. Something may be done
in the solution OF the problem by the imp"
sition of = more continuous industrial disci
pline when We are able to enlarge the
scheme of work Of the institution so as TO
include some simple forms OF systematic
and productive industry.
Age Limit Should he Reduced.
But In addition TO this remedy. il is oh
yioris that the board of trustees should be
able in a proper case and after due DELHI
Grafton. to obtain a transfer to the work
house or the jail. either by their own mo-
ton or order or upon order OF court. of
a girl eighteen who, by reason of
criminality or indelible incorriei bity. is no
longer a proper subject for the school. and
who may contaminate The other inmates.
mendation, contained in the report for last
year that the age limit of admission to the
school shosld be reduced from eighteen to
sixteen years: and ii seems us that the
courts should be more careful in ascertain
ing the age of girls committed. since there
is almost always dispute and disagreement
upon that subject between parents guar
dams and girls themselves. and the miSrep-
resentation to the court of a girls age may
work, and often does work. serious disad-
vantage to the school. the result being that
girls admitted and entered on the rec
ords as several years younger than they
really are. and of course must be main
tanned at the school that many years longer
We think. therefore, that scrupulous care
should be taken to have the courts action
and the records based upon accurate facts
regarding age
The recommendation Is again made to
have amendment made to the acts af-