The San Francisco call., 1904-12-26
BY LAURA BRIDE POWERS.

II there's anything nearer the hearts
+ Of San Francisco clubwomen than the
juvenile Court and its precious ally, the
Parental School (Which in turn is the
ally cf the compulsory education law).
haven't met il. 1t was in the Califor-
mia Club, during Mrs. George Law
Smiths administration. that the seeds
Of the great humanitarian movement
were sown Carefully was the plant
nurtured in the nursery of the club
until some good Samaritans, Fairfax
Wheelan, Judge Sloss, Judge Murasky
and other unattached good people raj
lied 10 The support OF the work in hand.
and laws were enacted at the last Leg
, islature making provision for Juvenile
Nourts in certain localities.
Then came-in its own good time, as
come most reforms-the Parental
School of San Francisco. 1t was found
ed in this city, experimentally, to han
die boys that had overrun school and
parental discipline. Schools Of this
type had been in successful operation
/ in the large cities of the East for some
years. but in the West the proposition
was a new one.
The fundamental basis of success
was TO secure for the school q head who
would understand the mental mechan-
isms Of boys-the psychology of lads
who compose de gangs" that infest
the densely populous parts of the city.
1 The Board of Education found in Rich
ard X. Faulkner, for twenty years prin-
cipal of the Franklin Grammar School,
at Eighth and Harrison streets, the
leader needed. What he, abetted by
Superintendent Langdon and the Board
of Education, has done during the year
iS hQe T0ld in, ha fo1l
mitted by Mr.. Langdon TO the board on
Thursday last:
Gentlemen I submit herewith a report on
the San Francisco Parental School organized
by this Board OF Education July 2T, 1904
While there IS yet much 70 be desired in the
equipment and organization OF the school and
in its environment fair start has been made
Already the good results OF a school of this
kind in the city have been made evident by the
decrease of truancy in the regular schools.
The course OF study as followed in the 9TH
er schools Of the city is carried out here and
in addition thereto the superintendent has di-
rected the principal and teachers to devote
special attention TO manual training. physical
culture and military drill music and drawing.
Joseph Meyers, formerly a drill sergeant in
the National Guard, and now superintendent Of
the ehildrens play ground, has volunteered his
services TO instruct the boys Of the Parental
School in military tactics. superlntend their
physical training practice and direct their
games and sports at the public playground
during each noon hour. Already an improve
ment in the physique and bearing OF the boys
is noticeable. Frank Barthel, teacher Of man
ual training in the Franklin School Center. has
kindly volunteered 10 give an hour > work in
manual training. after school hours, TO the
Parental School boys. At the beginning OF the
next school year proper compensation should
be made TO these men.
Al present there is no one in the Parental
and drawing AS these subjects are especially
important for boys Of their type respectfully
school be qualified 10 supervise both these
studies for the entire school.
On Monday. December H. 1904. the Honor
I Ind ~ he ,fla
Court, and the Superintendent OF the Schools
scting upon the recommendation of the prin-
cipal OF the Parental School, paroled eight boys
three Of whom had been committed TO The
school by the Juvenile Court and hve through
seem 10 it into regular school conditions salts
faetoriy and BID fair 70 give no further trouble
mediately upon his return to a regular school,
but was AT once taken into custody and Will
be disciplined by the Juvenile Court
The present enrolment OF the school as
shown by the report OF the principal. is s5, the
grades being represented from the first to the
sixth, inclusive Thirty-one OF the boys in at
tendance al this school were committed to Il
by the Juvenile Court. the Judge Of this court
the authority TO send boys there
In word the school under the direction O:
the faithful and efficient principal Richard n
Faulkner. and its excellent and enthusiastic
corps OF teachers may be deemed a decided
success and promises TO become a means of
working out satisfactorily the compulsory edu-
cation law.
Now. all this is encouraging. 1t
stands for progress. 1t stands for the
first duty Of government toward de-
linquent children-not only on the high
plane Of duty, but of necessity
Young lawbreakers become mature
criminals. Environment saves young
lawbreakers from developing into ma
ture criminals. Therefore let us extend
the environment for healthy develop
ment-mental and moral-and the
means at hand for said growth consists
of he oil Daf
Home and the Juvenile Court, all col
laterals OF the compulsory education
law.
These potent factors of future good
citizenship are now conducted largely
from philanthropical contributions, the
women's clubs subscribing monthly to
the payment OF probationary officers
that the work may be carried on.
Ye citizens of San Francisco who
were endowed at birth with the right to
vote pray remember that that which
makes for good citizenship is not
matter for philanthropy. The budget
for municipal housekeeping comes up
before the Supervisors in the spring
Voters and friends of voters prepare to
do good urging where it becomes neces-
sary.
This great humane work should be
borne by the Government, which will in
decade reap it's fruits-not by indi-
NlQualS nor ORGANIZATIONS.
The regular meeting of the Con-
sumers League was held Monday. De-
cenber 19, Mrs. A. J. Brown presiding
Committee reports were read The
league desires to thank the merchants
proprietors Of public places and the
newspapers that kindly gave space In
their windows. showrooms or offices for
the display of the card issued by the
league urging the need of early Christ
mas shopping.
The next meeting OF the league will