The San Francisco call., 1904-09-21
WAYW ARD LADS
ARE DISCUSSED
Richard ID. Faulkner Talks
TO the California Club on
the New Parental School
EFFORT Is A SUCCESS
Though Composed of Ha-
bitual TruantS No Defec-
tiun Occurs in Circus Week
BY Laura Bride Powers.


The California Club has rolled up
its diaphanous sleeves and gone TO
work. Now. when the California
Club goes TO work Il does something
sooner or later. For say what We viii.
1e who are facetious. there's no
agency in san Francisco with more
potentially for reform and civic prog
ress than this same body OF women,
and this with all due regard for the
California Promotion Committee: yes,
and for the good Merchants Associa-
tiOn. for both Of which, by the way.
the club entertains the prOfoundest
respect.
Yesterday the programme was in
charge OF Madame Emilia TOjetti,
chairman Of The department of edu-
cation. Reports aglow with interest
we're presented by Mrs. Sidney Pal
mer Smith. representing Mrs. L. L.
Baldwin, and Mrs. Wallace Purmort
Angelo on behalf of Mrs. Ernest
Brandt. who is absent in the East. So,
TOO. were reports made from each
section by its leader.
Then followed the talk on the San
Francisco Parental School by Rich
ard D. Faulkner. the principal of this
new effort at educational redemption.
By reason of long school residence
IN a densely populated part of the
city Mr.. Faulkner has grown to know
The people who dwell there, their
hopes and disappointments. their
wants. their appetites and their ideals.
And he likewise knows the greatest
secret that lies in the human breast
how 10 reach the heart of him who is
down and particularly of the lad that's
down or who thinks the worlds down
on him, the cop" and his father con-
stituting his hereditary foes.
fc he Ho~ 50,
ID. Faulkner Is to-day principal of
that little school Of habitual truants
forty-eight OF them, who had been
fired from eYerv other school in the
city and turned into the streets for
graduation into the ranks of ''toughs,"
then thugs.
These lads are now in school. amen
able 10 the laws therein and they ac-
tually attend school voluntarily each
day, aye, and did so even when the
circus was in town. too.
Among other intensely interesting
things, Mr.. Faulkner said in his ad-
dress.
Z is not sossible TO succeed with every
Lanitual truant or every boy VINO is insub-
orl, mate or oisorderly every one who is ir-
regular In attendance that may be sent 10 the
Perennial School. unless provision is made for
tnc detention and maintenance OF some OF them
but the law provides for this. I know that
the california club is anxious 10 see Droyfs-
ION made tor detention school. but not more
no than the board and superintendent. / am
sure that you viii bear with them until they
can provide the same in accordance with law.
y la-t A se- VIII read me law caretully
SOU VIII see that they doing all that can
D. done until they have furnished the Board
= H-l'5I .lsols Win an estllnate OF the cost
~ purchasing suitable site and erecting
sulta bic building, together with an estimate
-of lhe flllpllAg oi-ihe same IN TACT be-
fore this is done TIE Board Of Education is
supposed 20 have furnished the Board Of Su-
perAis0rs with All necessary and required in
formation and statistics TO prove the neces-
sits for the establishment OF a parental
sthcol and 10 have obtained their permission
for the establishment Of the same. since the
Parental school is supported by special tax,
with the exception Of the salary OF teachers
and the expense for supplies such as ink
pens. paper and chalk As the board is at
present going 10 practically no expense for the
Parental School except salaries and supplies.
it might be said that they are but making
rreparation for the furnishing OF the Board OF
Supervisors with all necessary information
and statistics prove the necessity for the
establishment Of parental school
II the san Francisco Parental School fails
d. viii be because the Board OF Education and
Superintendent have selected the wrong man
Constrsints OF restraints upon me in the or
EanizatiOn and development Of the school. On
The contrary they are doing all that lies in
tneir power % broaden and strengthen IL
With this end in view. they have placed the
DER my direction Not as representing A
separate and distinct position that has been
combined with the princpalship OF the
Parental School. but as function OF the
school itself Il viii be seen from this that
the school does not have 10 deal with an inde-
pendent department OF compulsory education.
administered by politicians, in some cities
but IS itself the director Of compulsory edu-
cation with authority over attendance officers.
Tor I should say that the attendance officers
have been placed under the direction OF the
school. The school thus becomes the center
for the enforcement of the compulsory educs-
ton law II has not only the power to care
for those sent 10 IL, but II Investigate the
sources from which the truant the insubordi-
rate ana disorderly and the irregular attend
and spring. Indeed II has the power TO deal
directly with those who do not send their
children 70 school al all.
And thus in time the little tykes Of
tender years. even as yours and mine