The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-27
CITY IS ID HAVE
 PROBATION OFFICER
Judge Feagin Made Formal Ap-
 pIicatiOn Yesterday
WILL DIMINISH CRIME
Probation System Is Now Being oper- ated In Many Cities In the United States and Europe-The Idea
 Originated in Chicago

Police Judge N. B. Feagin made formal application yesterday for the appoint- ment of a probation officer The matter is now under consideration. and 1t is quite likely that an officer will be appointed in the near future.
 The police commissioners are heartily in favor of the plan as suggested by Judge Feagin. and as soon as an extra man is appointed Chief Wfer will see to it that the necessary steps are taken to carry out the idea.
 Judge Feagin Talks.
 Judge Feagin said yesterday: Tn my
 T venture the assertion that in less gested that they give the police court a probation officer to look after first of lenders, men who desert families and leave them the objects of charity, and for the youth of the city as well as for the truants from the public schools. I be- lieve that such an officer would be in- strumental in retaining the youth from a wayward life, many families in the city, who are now objects of charity, from suf- fering the guiding of persons who are just starting on a questionable career to good citizenship.
 ITO my mind, a wiser or better step could not be taken by the city authorities than the building up of good citizenship out of lives about to be steeped in crime.
 A Financial Saving.
 q consider it would be a wise step in not only retaining such lives from career of crime, but I firmly believe 1t would diminish the number of persons whose influence will lead others into crime. In the course of time it would be large financial saving to the city in not having to expend money in large police department to suppress crime.
 This method has been tried successfully for over six years in the United States and for ten years with remarkable suc- cess in France.
 ''The International Prison league. which met last year in Budapest, considered this method and is now sending out literature throughout the civilized world showing the marvellous results of such hu- mane methods.
 'In short the method educates the cit izen In his home, domestic business and civic duties. It tends also to keep the citizen at his post of duty and out of the jals. where he would come in con- tact with only contaminated life.
 Tt has proved in cities where it is in practice. that 1t decreases the amount of criminals and increases the number of law abiding citizens.
 Will Be Universally Adopted.
 Venture the assertion that in less than two decades, every criminal court in the state of Alabama will have a pro- bation officer selected by the court and that juvenile court will be instituted in every county in Alabama.
 q believe we are making mistake in not having such methods in Birmingham, when it is shown that they have long since passed the experimental stage througout the country.
 "The womens clubs of Chicago were instrumental in organizing the probation ary system in that city over six years ago and 1t has wrought some wonderful re- suits They have reached such a stage that all probation officers must undergo a civil service examination as to their eligibility In the city of Indianapolis a number of the first ladies of that city are giving their personal service to this noble work, and the business men of the city are giving not only money but their hearty sympathy to this very humane sys- tom