New-York tribune., 1902-07-09
ON MAYNARD CHILDREN.
JACOB RIIS TALKS ON EAST SIDE con-
DITIONS TO PHILANTHROPIC CLASS.

Jacob Ris. who was the speaker at the Summer
School OF Philanthropy, in the Charities Build
ing yesterday morning. congratulated the students
upon the fact that they entering upon their
work at this time. There never period in
the worlds history, he said. like the present, with
its helpful efforts for the poor and distressed. It
Is impossible to keep up with all the schemes for
the betterment Of humanity tlat springing up
daily and even hourly. Mr.. Riis recalled the eff
forts for improving the housing of the poor. which
have resulted in a tenement house law; for the
termination of tuberculosis and the abolition Of
child labor.
"Only the other evening"" he said. 'T Ia
rnenting that the sick poor Of the hos
pitfalls while convalescent. and, hopeless and help
less, are compelled battle with the world, and
awoke the very morning read in my paper
that millions Of dollars had been given to estab
Msh homes for just such sufferers. 1t would seem
though the world had at last set out to work
with God for His children. The great need OF the
times is for and womeI of power and infu-
snce"
Mr. Riis's subject was the care Of wayward
and Neglected Children ard the keynote Of his
address was, Don't send for a policeman every
time crowd of children in the streets makes a
little too much noise"
He commended the agitation open the public
schools for neighborhood purposes. and believed
that in the suggestion is the clew TO the saloons
substitute
THE Board of Education" he said, has al
ready evidenced a willingness to give the public
II
can be devised TO make the buildings suitable for
social purposes. Boys and girls and young men
and must have place to meet and enjoy
themselves. Give them the schools and let them
have a good time there. Don't be squeamish about
allowing dancing, and any healthful amusement
What do is TO lift neighbOrhood gath
erings from the level OF the dance hall and saloon
the level of the schoolhouse"
Mr.. Riis decried some of the methods in
in public school Fairgrounds where janitors are
the ruling powers He and c. c. Burlingame
president of the Board OF Education, recently Wis
tied together the public school At Mulberry Bend
which is open playground They found there
that the Janitor had removed every vestige Of the
gymnastic apparatus and substituted for it tables
at which groups of boys sat playing cards. The
cards not the real thing. but some educa-
tional. geographical game The visitors discovered
the players betting bays and rivers and the like
gambling in fact, under the protection Of the
Board of Education and the eyes Of the watchful
policeman.
Mr. Riis and Mr. Burlingame went next to
girls school near by. where there was room for
thousand young people to enjoy themselves. About
a score Of girls was in the place. knitting
ing or doing something Of the kind" under the eye
Of a teacher. As the two men entered drove
OF children begged for admission, and were rudely
driven from the door by the loud voice and men
acing club OF a policeman
Mr Burlingame Indignantly exclaimed: What
you doing?'
"Obeying orders" the guardian of the peace re-
piled
Whose orders?" asked Mr.. Burlingame
The jantor's." answered the policeman.
Nr Riis demonstrated against the readiness with
which grownups send for policeman for children
Don't let policeman interfere in mere child S
play" he said. THE first thing man does when
ne feels annoyed is 10 send straight for officer
II IS fact that there is time in every boys life
when ne loves engage in deeds Of daring, prin-
tive and small they may be II IS only natural
heroes are pictured. But boys love real life better
than all the fiction in the world. Their games or
playing soldier fade into inSignihcance when a
real policeman comes upon the scene. They Will
from him with Of joyful awe, and the
condition OF being pursued instis a hostility and
excitement into their lives that mere games lack
This is dangerous IL leads eventually into jail
youngest-that something that makes hero on
the battlefield but here II makes thief. The po-
bceman simply wants 10 scare them away, and this
action is purely fraud and a fraud is always bad
policy Boys pursued by policeman for some in
significant offence begin TO brag OF their ac-
ton. gangs are formed, and before long the po-
ncenan will chase boy in the neighborhood of the
gang general principles.
Most OF the boys viii grow from bad to worse.
put occasionally will hold on and remain good
through il all, standing a silent witness 10 the
crimes OF others. Their fate is sometimes dealt
out 10 them in rnurderous fashion l remember
crowd. called the Alley Gang that used to
congregate about what then known Pow
srty Gap IN West TWenty-eighth-st- One
Der who refraned from lndulging in the wickedness
u The rest eventually beaten 10 death by the
liner members OF the gang. II was one Of the
most atrocious murders ever knew. The immoral
pfopensities OF these boys have no doubt, were