The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-23
Value of Human Life to the Stat,

In an exceedingly interesting and
suggestive address before the Society
OF Colonial Wars last evening Rabbi
Hlrsch emphasized as one of the char
acteristics of the American people their
early recognition of the value of hui
man life and the preservation of human
energy as precious to the state. In
countries where population is dense.
where there is a surplus of human
hands, human life and energy are less
highly valued and inventive genius,
which supplements the work of human
hands, is less active. I The pyramids
he cited as the work of human hands,
the modern 'skyscraper as the product
Of human genius and invention and ma
chlnery. One of the reasons why the
north prevailed over the south was that
the north had employed inventive
genius and multiplied the efficiency of
human hands. The south had been less
progressive in this particular and was
lesss able to bear the burden of the
support Of armies when large numbers
OF men were withdrawn from the fields
Of Industrial activity and production.
This thought SO admirably presented
by the rabbi Is suggestive of the prop
er attitude of society toward it's men,
bers in the furtherance of every means
for the development and preservation
Of the highest measure of Individual
efficiency. We recognize it when we
educate. We neglect it when we ig-
more, as we SO often do, the facts Of
environment. But we are beginning to
learn the Importance Of the latter and
to have more regard for the conditions
under which life begins and character
is formed. - =.svs
DIR. Samuel j. Barrows, president of
the International Prison congress, saws:
1.-The children 8 court marks the great
est advance in judicial procedure in
this country. The establishment Of
children $ courts in the United States
Is an indication that society is com
ing to its, senses. - e,>~ .~-- ...y.-s-.~...
What DR.. Barrows is talking about
IS what is known as the juvenile court
and the auxiliary agencies organized for
the rescue of the neglected child from
conditions which operate to the destruc-
ton OF his usefulness and to deprive the
state of that which Rabbi Hirsch has
declared to be so valuable-the nor
NAL, useful human life equipped with
ett1clent human hands. Society is be-
ginning to realize as never before the
value OF its individual members and
how costly is that waste which permits
youthful members to grow up in habits
OF vice and crime to become 8 means
OF actual damage to society and sources
OF tremendous expense as criminals.
No more important step has ever
oeen taken IN this community for the
conservation of intelligent human en-
ergy as an asset Of the community than
the establishment Of the juvenile court
! and the organization of agencies sum-
Elemental thereto. The Hennepin
County Juvenile Protective leaeue
represents the organized thought and
effort OF the community In this partic-
ular. Certainly when the nature Of its
task and the purpose for which. it ex.
lists comes to be thoroly understood by
the people Of this city, no other form
Of activity for social betterment will
have heartier, support Or command it.
self more fully to the intelligent ap-
prevail Of the public than this league,
whose business it is to improve the
conditions under which neglected and
dependent and delinquent children be-
gin the struggle Of life and the devel-
opment Of useful and productive lives.