Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-07-02
CRIMINOLOGYI IN IOWA
Environment of Boys, Who Have
Gone Wrong, Previous to Their
Detention by the State.
HOME INFLUENCE IS REsPoNsIBLE
To Great Extent for Youthful Cuss.
edness-DivOrce and Drunken
ness Especially Noted.

Des Moines. Ia. July 2.-Heredity
and environment of the inmates of the
state Industrial school are handled by
Chairman Kinne, of the Iowa board
of control, in a bulletin Just issued.
The statistics OH which conclusions
are based are of an official character
In the 601 cases reported by the differ
ent superintendent 800 have one or
both parents dead. In these Il lack of
careful raining might be given as
reason for the bad habits of the chill
dren. The next table. however. puts
very different light on the matter,
for il shows that in over one-half of
the cases one or both of the parents
were ether unmarried, divorced or
separated.
Only 80 Per Cent. Were IIIiterate.
In so per cent. one or both parents
were incorporate in the use of intoXi-
cants: in GO per cent. the environments
or the children were bad previous to
their admission to the schools. In 80
per cent. their associates were bad,
and in about the same number of cases
the habits of the inmates had been
bad. About 80 per cent. had received
practically no education before admis-
sion. The statistics showing the ca
significant. About % per cent of the
entire number had had either brothers.
sisters or near relatives in industrial
or reform schools. About One-third
had relatives in institutions for the
feeble minded, aSylums and peniten-
tiaries.
Mothers Struck the Best Average.
The mothers of the inmates in the
great majority of the cases averaged
far better than the fathers. In 264
cases the latter were addicted TO the
use of liquor. while the former were
in only 33 cases. Many families were
found to be represented in the indus
trial schools by two or more men,
berS.
Conclusions He Draws.
From his study of the prevailing
conditions Chairman Kline draws the
following conclusions:
THAT the nature of the parents is
n potent factor in shaping the future
of their children.
THAT the breaking up of the family
circle 10y the death of one or both par
ents. thereby perhaps turning children
ont as subjects of the worlds care
and charity, creates an environment in
which they are likely to he led aStray
from the parts of rectitude.
THAT the unhappy cOniugal rela-
tiOnS OF parents. resulting III Sucn Il
large number of divorces and separa-
tions. Is. perhaps. the greatest single
cause for the large population of these
schools.
THAT closely connected with the last
cause Is the intemperance of one or
both of the parents.
THAT previous environments have
been productive of many inmates of
these schools.
THAT many of these children have
been permitted to run the streets when |
they should have been in school"
CmpuIsory Education rs a Remedy.
As a remedy for these conditions. |
Chairman Kline suggests that COM |
pulsory education law would help in |
many ways He is not of the opinion |
that It will do everything. but that it |
would be n great help. 1t is also sug- |
geSted that provision must he made |
for the employment of the children out
side Of school hours. but especially /