The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-10
Mlss May Talks.


 In speaking of the matter she said:
 In thirteen states in the union laws have been passed which prohibit any judge from placing a criminal under IA or in some instances 16 year of age in the same jail or place of correction with the older criminals. In many of the larger cities there is a special court where these youthful law-breakers are tried.
 Tn some of the states the law provides that the judge shall not send the child to Jail, but shall find a home for it, or make some disposition so that the child will be under good influences which will teach 1t better.
 We work on the theory that a jail where older criminals are confined is merely school for crime. and that each and every one of the old men or women in there are teachers who are only too willing and ready to train a child in the wrong path. Our motto is, Tt is wiser and less expensive to save children than to punish criminals" By keeping them out Of the jails while they are young we are able to save many child which would otherwise prove hardened criminal before 1t was 21 years old. Wants Laws Passed.
 ''I shall try to interest the people of Alabama in the matter and get some leg islation passed at the adjourned session of the legislature in September. have been to several states in the south and plans are being worked out to get the necessary bills passed.
 Birmingham more than many southern cities should have separate court for the children. From what I learn there are great many youthful criminals here, We have found that about 90 per cent of the young criminals are from the low CT walks of life and that their parents are hard working people who do not have time to properly train their children. There is a large percentage of working people in and around Birmingham and many of them do not have time to care fully bring their children up. The child gets out on the street meets bad chill dren and that Is the beginning of the crime which afterwards sends them to the jail.
 Juvenile Court a Great Thing.
 'The juvenile court would be a great thing for Birmingham and the separa- tion of the young and the old criminal would be of great assistance to the police force and would materially better the condition of the children. The system goes furtherr than the mere trial of the child. It does not in any manner limit the jurisdiction of the judge and he has authority to make what disposition of the child he sees fit and which he feels would better its condition. If possible the judge can secure a home for the child, put 1t on probation in some place of detention, or otherwise provide for 1t so that 1t will have chance to right it's ways l shall be here several days and will see the ladies and men of Birmingham who are interested in this sort of work and so- licit their aid before the legislature"
 Chief of Police w. E. Wier was asked his opinion on the matter and said:
 Chief Wier Favors the Plan.
 Every city whose population and in- come would justify it should make prep arations for keeping the youthful crimi- nals together with the females, who are not hardened criminals, in separate houses of detention and under separate control from those of the usual hardened classes.
 There is nothing more discouraging to a youth who is arrested his first time than to place him in jail among the hardened criminals and have him feel as if the out side world knows of his being in such a place.
 'In thIs city we have to deal with a great many cases of this kind and 1t is difficult to keep them in custody without putting them in the city jail until some disposition can be made of them. We fre- quently have to arrest boys under 15 years of age who have run away from home in other cities and keep them in custody for several days awaiting the arrival of their parents. In such cases 1t is not right to place them in jail among a hardened class of criminals when they have really been guilty of no crime.
 Tn my judgment the time will soon come through the rapid growth of our city and great increase of work among the youthful criminals when the juvinile court will be established in Birmingham to bet ter control and train the young law breaker, together with the females who may be arrested for their first offenses.
 Tn my judgment there could be a great ..g. 1--. C.