New-York tribune., 1906-05-06

When the city was first established many OF
the children did not appreciate the need OK
coming 20 school clean. The health depart
ment decided 20 bring the matter TO the atten-
ton OF the court. At the session OF the court
that afternoon the head OF the health DEPART
ment was present and addressed the bench on
the subject. The health commissioner pointed
out that the sentences had been so light that
they had had little effect. That day the court
began to treble the sentences for untidiness Of
person. For three weeks not a single case Of
unbdineSs was reported. Boys who had hereto
fore not worn collars began to appear with
them. The hair was always brushed now and
face and hands were clean
On the day Of the newspaper mans visit there
were only two cases to come before the court.
This striking commentary on the effective
ness Of the court, for 1t stood out In marked
contrast to some Of its earlier sessions. when
was obliged to sit for hour or two Boys
and girls are never tried on the same day, the
court sitting one day in the week for the girls
and two days for the boys.
In another room while the court was iR ses-
sion were number Of boys doing time" They
were in charge OF two court officials boys. Some
were sitting, others standing. The punishment
consists In sitting with nothing 20 do. Their
strength Is to sit still" for there Is system Of
communication OF sentence for good behavior but
II the boy finds the seat Of the transgressor
hard and becomes restless he IS required TO
more than q week to the late or detention room
is equivalent to term in state prison. It de-
Oars the boy or girl from the privilege Of vOt-
tpg' and, OF course, Of holding Office
Just as the newspaper man entered the prfn-
clpaPs Office his first visit to the school two
boys followed him up the steps One OF the boys
wore hang-dOg air that marked him a culprit.
The other boy, who proved to be the member OF
the police force who had once thought the court
Take" was pulling him forward. The victim
Of the policeman's energy did not make any
enort TO escape. He proved to bs a truant who
had been caught that morning by this mem
Der or the truant squad Of the school city. When
brought in he was dirty that 1t was only by
considerable effort that the Jersey which the
boy wore could be peeled from his 1.-the body
The CRIME had been scrubbed of and the bow
now stood forth with cheeks like polished Bald
win win apple 5a!Pppless boy whose mother would have
had difficulty in recognizing him.
Where did you find himP' asked the princi-
pal, Mr.. CrOnson.
HE was truant" replied the youthful
truant officer. II asked him where he went to
school He said he didn't go anywhere so I
brought him along here"
Inc prlnclpal turned toward the truant.
where did you go to school last?" he asked
The boy looked down at the floor and mumbled
something about Brooklyn.
How long ago was that?"
Il don't know, four months % mumbled the boy
Find out where he lives, and II he does not
superintendent" said Mr.. Cronson to the police
officer.
"Yes, sir" the latter replied and led the
Whiom truant out after him.
The second time the newspaper man went 20
Mr. Cronson's Office the ex-truant chief OF police
came In leading boy somewhat taller than
himself. The latter had a sheepish look on his
face that indicated that he was not comfortable
In mind While larger than the officer. he was
quite docile.
II saw him in the street and knew he belonged
in school. He was playing hockey" said the
officer. when I told him he ought TO be here
he used bad word
Tie boy would not look Mr. Cronson in the
face when asked to reply to the charge and Il
was decided that he would have to be tried for
truancy and the use of bad language. He had
been IN school In the morning He discovered
that he could not escape the eve OF the truant
squad for long. for few minutes after the
, afternoon session opened ne was discovered and
nabbed. Although larger than the officer he
made no attempt to escape.