Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-07
FUGITIVES FROM HOME
THE PROBLEM OF HOW TO DEAL
WITH THEM UNsoLvED.

That the proper solution of the problem
of how to deal with the class of people who
fall into the clutches of the law as fugi-
tives from home. but who have not COM
mitted any criminal offense, has not been
reached was shown in the Juvenile Court
yesterday In the case of John Howard. a
boy about sixteen years old. The Incl
dent impressed itself on the minds of sew
eral who were around the court at the
time, and it was the opinion of all that
something was lacking in the court regula-
tons.
Howard was arrested yesterday afternoon
by local police officer. The boy had run
away from home and had had nothing to
eat for some time. His hunger got the
best of him finally and the poor boy knew
of nothing else to do but to beg. 1t was
while in the act of begging for something
to eat that the officer picked him up, and
later sent him to the house of detention.
where he was locked up all night. He was
well fed there, he says, and he was brought
into the court this morning.
The boy says that he lives at 100 South
Cherry street. Richmond, Va, with his par
ents. Several days ago he met another and
older boy, and the latter told him that he
could get work easily at other places be-
sides Richmond and he was therefore per-
suaded by the older companion to leave
home. He was on his second days tramp
destitute condition.
When the story was heard the boy was
allowed to go and the case was dis
missed. When he left the court room he
had no idea what he could do. He was
In strange city, far away from his home
and his friends, without a cent of money.
His parents. he says, are poor people and
they have no money with which to pay for
his fare back to Richmond. The boy was
In a quandary which way to turn. If he
he would again be arrested and brought
into court. He had no money with which
to get out of town.
The good man of the prison, c. A. Mass:e.
happened along. at that time. and he
learned the story of the boy. Mr.. Massle,
agent of the Prisoners Aid Society, the
man who has helped many man out OF
town in time of need, took charge of the
boy and promised that he would provide
passage back to Richmond for him
That was where the boy said he wished
to go. Had not Mr.. Massie taken the
case in hand it is doubtful what would
good chance that the lesson of experience
will have been we'll learned and the boy will
be credit to his parents yet.
Similar cases have come to Mr.. Massle
attention many times before, he says.
The men have wandered into the city and
have lost their money here. They promised
the judge to get out of town, but they
didn't know the way out, and they had no
money with which to get out In all the
cases. Mr. Massie has taken them in tow
and has put them on trains for the place
where they want to go. While Mr.. Massie
Is usually repaid by these people when they
get home and have the money, he is always
repaid in the feeling OIL gratitude which Is
shown him by those he helps.
why is there not some provision for TAX
ing care of such people?" asked specta-
tor in the court room when he heard of the
case. Certainly boys should not be turned
out like that with no provision made to re-
turn them to their parents, where they
could mend their ways. Turn boy like
that out and he will soon get in with the
veteran crooks and Migrants, and he will
always be in that class Of people