The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-12
Chas. III. Palmer Tells Of School
Girls in Crittenton Home.
officers of Institution Admit
Statement Is True.
) FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
Mrs. Wilson, the President,
Talks of Conditions.
Parents Blamed for Allowing
Daughters "tO Roam Streets -

During his address delivered at the
Auditorium Sunday afternoon Charles
H. Palmer of Chicago stated that there
are now or recently have been five girls
from the high school in this city admit
ted to the Crittenton home, an institu-
ion for unfortunate girls or women. He
said that there were two more who have
been students at one of the ward schools
in the city.
The statement WAS received with in
credulity by many of those present and
led to an investigation, which not only
proves that the statement is true, but
that not all has been told at that. Within
the past two months a high school girl
said to be less than 16 years of age, be-
came the mother of pair of twins in
the home. and the father of the twins is
the son of well to do parents.
When asked with reference to the
statement made at the church meeting,
Mrs. Richard Wilson, who is the presi-
dent OF. Crittenton home said: 1.-The
statement is probably true and while
/ know that Il number of girls who were
pupils of the high school nave been adj
mitted to the home 1 do not know the
exact number admittedrecently, but 1
am sure that you are safe in saying that
there have been at least the number
spoken of by Mr.. Palmer. These girls
are admitted to the home when proper
application is made and are not permit
ted to leave until their child is at least
six months of age and then they must
assure the management that the child
will be properly cared for The cOndi-
ton is an appalling one and we are hand
ling it as best we can, for all parties
concerned
Mr.. A. T. Daniels, who is one of the
gentlemen members of the board, said;
L do not know much about the con-
ditions referred to, but am sure that
they are somewhat exaggerated, all
though I do know of the pair of twins
referred to. I am of the opinion that
most of the girls in the home are from
towns scattered over the state. but as
/ know but little of this part of he work
1 would prefer that you would get your
! information on the subject from Mrs
Richard Wilson, who is the president of
! the institution, and in close touch with
the work.
DR.. Eva Harding said: yes, I know
that the social conditions referred to are
true and I feel that the conditions which
bring about such things should be made
public, so that parents will take some
precautions to protect their daughters.
I have interested myself in the affairs
of the Crittenton home and have found
homes for a number of the fatherless
children born in the institution, and
there has never been time since 4
commenced work that I have not had
4
not find homes such as I desired.
1.-THE mothers of these girls are the
ones who should be blamed for the I'M
fortunate conditions which exist. The
girls many of them just in their teens.
are permitted to be on the streets at all
hours of the night and the oniy wcnder
to me is that there are not more Of
these cases than there are. / have seen
the boys who were acting as escorts to
the girls so drunk that they staggered
H. inf nm fff
which is reliable that the girls partici-
pate in these drunken affairs. Are the
conditions which exist to be wondered
at. when mothers permit such conduct
on the part of their children?
"Seven babies were born at the Crit
tenton home during the month of No
vember and the institution is so over
! crowded that it is nearly impossible Tor
girl to gain admission.
Golden Rule Jones of Toledo referring
to the neglect of children by their
parents said: a farmer with fine stock
never retires until he knows that they
have been properly cared for and are
safe for the night Not so with the
parents of the children of THIS city,
many of whom are permitted to roam
the streets to any hour of the night ana
come home whenever they choose me
farmers stock receives more care and
attention than many of the girls in TINS
CITY A policeman on peat IN TINS city
recently stopped bevy OF girls late at
NIGHT who were behaving in such a
manner that they We're attracting atten-
ton. and asked them to conduct them
selves in a more orderly manner ms
reward was threat from the parent OF
one of the girls that he would pc ms
charged for insulting the croWQ or s LIS
whose conduct was such that had they
! been strangers they would nave peen
ta1ren fo the police station and locked
m charged with disorderly conduct.