The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-17
JUDGE FEAGIN'S WORK
 AMONG NEGRO CHILDREN.

The activity of the northern magazines in presenting the negro question" par ticularly as regards recent movements af- | fecting the probation plans for negro children in the south suggests that south i erners as a class, are depending upon
 these magazines for their information.
 Such periodicals as the Outlook or the Independent. even the American and the Century seldom allow week or a month to elapse without publishing an article on the negro. Much of this comment in the past has been distasteful to. the south. Future comment may also De equally as distasteful. Much of it will, no doubt continue to misrepresent the south; much of it will no doubt be writ ten by the prejudiced. But the present output of the northern magazines deals
 more directly with the active agencies now at work among the idle class of ne- eroes. Instead however, of getting it's information direct. the southern people look 10 the northern magazine to exploit these movements" rather than investi- gatng for themselves anl rejecting what they know to be worthless.
 The better class of negroes who are working out their own salvation and who are foremost in these remedial agencies feel that their efforts are worthy of in- vestigation by the southern people And those who are looking about wondering what the northern writer sees in the negro to be continually harping about his condition" will find something of in- terest in the reports from the Juvenile Court association, which Judge Feagin of this city has organized among the re- spectacle class of negro women.
 This association meets monthly to hear the reports from the different commit tees. It has as it's head a colored woman, Nette Kenan, who is bringing up the or ganization to a state of great efficiency. She presided over an interesting and enthusiastic meeting the past week at the Sixteenth Street Baptist church. Judge Feagin addressed the meeting. The re- ports are made out on printed slips, giv- ing the name of the individual boy, sent by Judge Feagin to the association. The reports also give the boys record since being under the care of the committee, whether he is in school or at work and his general conduct.
 All of the reports were most encour- aging.
 When Judge Feagin finds little negro boy in his police court he turns him over to the negro probation officer, instead of sending him to jail. The probation off cer commits him to the committee of women in the district in which the boy lives. The committee composed of three negro women, selected by the pastor of the church in that district undertakes to see that this boy is either put in school or to work. One of the committee sees him every day. keeps track of his move ments and reports to the Juvenile Court association.
 The association has also paid the sal ary of the probation officer. Judge Fea- gin has recently made arrangements for this expense to be borne by other negro societies, as it was a heavy expense for tie association, which he feels should not be burdened with this financial strain. having all that 1t can do in attending to the negro children committed to its care.
 Judge Feagin is in hearty sympathy with the reform schools for negroes. Much has already been written about Pete Daly's farm near Tuscaloosa, to where Judge Feagin has sent hundreds of negro children. But the probation plan has in this city been such an effectual agency that so far no disadvantages can be claimed for it.
 With the cooperation of the better class of negroes this direct method of dealing with the negro delinquent is starting out hundreds of negro children upon lines of honesty and industry.