The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-05
FRESH START P0R BAD BOYS.
STATE TRYING FARMING TO CURE
JUVENILE DELIN0UENTs.

independent Colonies and the RriSen
Idea Esntireiy KIiminnted-Punlsntients
ROCHESTER. May i.-ona Eourtcenhundred
acre tract Of land twelve miles outside OF
R,1hester the State OF New York IA trying
q new plan for dealing with bad boys. This
in the site Of the new State Agricultural and
Industrial School. to which juvenile do
linquents between the ages OF . and le are
committed.
The school In this city, which was form.
erly called the State Industrial School. has
not yet been abandoned as all tho cottages
at the new site have not been completed.
About three hundred boys are now living
at the new site and IL Is expected that the
remaining two hundred will be sent there
in the course OF a month.
The new school and the general plan Of
operation represent in the highest degree
the advanced views OF those who have made
a study OF the fills Of juvenile delinquency,
There Is not another institution just Ike IL
anywhere.
IL IL such an institution a ID now proposed
70 take the place Of RandAll's Island for the
offending boys OF the eastern end OF the
State. Realizing that in perhaps a major
ity Of cases the boys themselves ara not
really to blame for their condition the object
has been to eliminate entirely the prison
idea from the school. The boys are to
have a chance to make a fair, fresh start In
life.
The State Industrial School In Rochester
wa opened TO receive boys In 1870. II
wa known for many years as the Western
House Of Refuge, but a. the nature of It's
r~etornative system was altered q change
in title was also made, the new one more
clearly representing the character Of the
work done.
The old school in Rochester occupies
q tract Of twelve acres, enclosed by a stone
wall twenty feeI nigh. That barrier was
the limit OF vision for any youngster oom-
nnitted to the sohool. Within that enclosure
from i've 70 eight hundred boys at q time
have been confined for periods varying
from O few months to several years. II
was a prison for them, nj matter how the
State might look at IL. They were sub
jected 70 close surveillance tWeuty-four
hours o day.
A military system was In force 70 develop
them physically and teach them obedience,
order and proper care Of themselves and
their belongings. A system Of manual
training and trade instruction was pro-
vided. Their religious as well ~ their
secular education was looked after. Yet
many of the boys went forth from tkess
surroundings with no incentive to lead
honest hves or to become good dttzeps
Tbe,conditions At the q school ars very
different. The site 10 on the eastern bank
OF the river. In the town OF Ruah, in the
fertile valley Of the Genssse.
The school lie on the cottage plan, the
homes Of the boys being d0ttsd over the
beautiful rolling uplands, and there they
are living in all the freedom and enjoyment
Of country life. There 10 no foFbidding
gray stone wall here to cast q gloom into.
the souls Of the boys; inSall~ directions, as
far as they can see, their, 10 nothing but
smiling valleys and beautiful hills.
At the city institution all buildings. aggre-
eating about thirteen atree Of Hoor space.
we're situated within the walled enclosure.
At the new institution the buildings Tor the
accommodation Of the boys arr ncatterOd
over the property. the cottages at the two
extremes being two and . half miles dis
tant from each other.
At the city school aa many az 29S boys
have lived In q building 100 feet long and a.
feet wide, and their work and recreation
- -sAII- A. f(..tAm
nave oeen oonine0 w'.a 'ns ~"
space ~ Ie'e oy ~ - ~po -
larm on,y n.y-n ooys ns Ss".sss.
ano 80 eaCn 0,s 49, n.hnn na.s-~ ="
Oh WV ieo' = 10y 49, m
many instance ene uiss 49, "'p&te'Ss
oo.tages ne. - ~ DoC'vos 49,.
AZ ~ cay souoo' - ~ nsss
Tour 49, LOU 49,
age ano oaatectet. nv tne ~ .%ioO' s1sy
i've IN ~ ieee1 V~entS's~o etespN'
The whole tract y divioed INTO farms,
group having its own ectteg& Which
Is entirely separate and dietinct from every
other cottage meNon n supervisor
are IN charge OF eAch ooteage, Each farm
has it's WI hofees' Cattle. sheep. swine q
poultry. ana already y has been noticed
that the care OF the stock exercises Q 600
fetal Influence upon "a character OF tho
boys.
The psW sohool differs In many retpscts
from other cottage plan institutions. In
other institutions the cottages are closer
together. The food - usually cooked An 0
central htcheu. then distributed By oar or
wagon.
Ths boys living. u on cottage are ~
0iRned 70 ahOpa or nduada with the bOyn