The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-30
SOCIETY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE IA,


 M ------------- --~---------->-->------>--- and water, too. There is a dormitory in which as many as dozen may sleep. < and often the little iron beds are brought j into use when a boy Is found on the 4 street at night with nowhere to go. The bathrooms, too are a great comfort, with their excellent equipment
 During the summer an excellent op- portunity has been presented the heads of the institution to study the boys and help them in their daily life. In July as many of the members as could do so went into camp at the artesian well near Gate City. It is estimated that 200 boys took advantage of the outing at some time during the eight weeks in which Camp Hoadley was open, and happier crowd would be hard to find than were < these youths, ranging from to r years of age, some of them worn by neglect and hardship, enjoying for the first time period of wholesome out-of-door living, with all that may mean for boy-of swimming, fishing, baseball, and all the joys of a fresh, free summer camp life. Camp. Hoadley was only recently aban- doned and MT. Willows and MT Graham are in the city preparing the rooms for work during the coming winter. Both returned enthusiastic over the success of this summers camp. MT. Willows said yesterday: "It afforded me such an opportunity to study the little fellows and learn how to help them. There are so many ways suggesting themselves to direct me in benefiting them both in their physical and moral life. It Is grow ing more and more interesting to me-" He has great faith in the boys. Do any of them ever attempt to deceive you*' he was asked Not to any great de- gree,'' was his answer '"There is some times a ib, but as a general rule they tell us the truth. We first endeavor to make the boy feel that he is among fre-ds and has nothing to fear. Then inc has no reason to conceal anything" "What do you do with the depraved among them?' "Why, as to that, we haven't any. I believe there have been one or two, but they have been taken away from the others and placed in re- formatories where their influence cannot tnjure the ones who might be easily lead"
 Perhaps the most far-reaching effect of the work of the Boys club in the community has been with the probation cases in the juvenile court. The present system gives the young fellow who is tried for some misdemeanor another chance before having to bear the oppro brium in the term "criminal." One brought for trial before Judge Feagin is given a term of probation during which time he Is required to report at regular intervals to MT. Willows, who in the meantime visits the home and familiarizes himself with the boys mode of life. His auvice and friendly authority has, in many cases, worked wonders with the youthful mischefmaker. The club off cers thus serve the city in the capacity of probation officers, reporting to the court the result of their investigations. The vigilance of the superintendent and his assistant in keeping in constant touch with young offenders is deserving of the highest praise. Visiting them daily on the street, they are thus able to keep delinquent acts at a minimum, in fact, records showing that there has been decrease in juvenile crime of 30 percent since this system began.
 A branch of the club work along the same line has been recently established as an experiment. In conjunction with the court the club officers are instituting the probation system to assist first offend CTS among young men. During the six weeks of it's trial there have been 6S cases for trivial offenses, and only two of the wrong-doers have been re-arrested
 So in the very heart of our city, in the midst of things, where boys from every section may take advantage of its well come and it's splendid influence, Is one of the most potent moral forces in our growing city. It is good to see that there are so many thoughtful persons in the community who recognize the claims of our boys on the interests and affections of the people, no matter who that boy may be-whether he comes from a home of poverty, ignorance and neglect, or one of luxury and refinement but lack ing in understanding or sympathy. Here he finds friend, for the Birmingham Boys club stands for just that-a friend tn oil how 1,r1t n are without strong home and parental influences and it provides a friend at court for those who fall or whose mis- chief leads them to the bar of justice. MT Willows in behalf of the club, stands ready always to consult with the home and school in handling the boy prob lems of Birmingham. The club is in- deed fortunate to have so capable su- perintendent as MT. Willows. He Is not only experienced in the management of such institutions, but Is the man of men, because of his great, broad charity to- ward the fallacies and mistakes of youth. his cherry optimism and his intense love and sympathy for boys They all feel that he understands them, and that gives him the key to the whole problem The Rev. MT. J. M Graham is experienced in dealing with young lads and is giving him the most able assistance.
 A pathetic little incident of the week suggests the character of the help some times given the little fellows MT. Will lows, accompanied by several gentle men, was making one of his nightly visits to his little friends of the streets. At about 10 o'clock he met a small urchin wandering about apparently with no in tention of going home. Upon investiga- ton it was found that he had been com manded not to come home until he could bring 60 cents, and there were only 40 cents in his little pocket. Several of his papers were promptly purchased by the gentlemen and he happily started for