Evening journal., 1908-11-23
SOME CAUSES OF
JUVENILE CRIME
DR.. Kellogg Says Cigarettes,
ldleneSS and Evil ASSOCia-
tiOnS Contribute

The Rev. Hiram w. Kellogg, pastor of
Grace NJ. r. Church, spoke on Three
Fruitful Causes Of Juvenile Delinquency"
in Grace Church last night. Cigarettes.
idleness and evil associations were pre-
sented as some Of the causes that make
young offenders. Speaking Of the neces-
sity of the school and study for the erad-
ication of youthful evils, Dr. Kellogg
said
There is no more important law on our
statute books than the compulsory edu-
cation law We do not yet know what
IL means in blessing 70 this state and
again / must register my utter aston
ishment that our authorities are so su-
premely Indifferent to this matter
ChIdren of school age are seen upon our
streets at almost any time Of the day.
What does the Board Of Education
mean? Are they incompetent to do this
work for the city?
1T so there are plenty who can do IL
II they will not. I am greatly disap-
pointed in this matter, for the many
good things our Board Of Education has
done for us ought not TO be shadowed by
this glaring neglect But 1 am to do with
its relation to crime. 1t is told me at
the reform schools that the time for the
largest number of recruits is during the
vacation. why should not truant be
a criminal? Little there is to prevent it.
But a child cannot work and study all
the time. Play is as essential to mental
and moral development as either. This
we are told. by undisputed authorities,
and all our large cities are acknowledge
ing the truth by making liberal provision
for Fairgrounds. 1t Is a commonly felt
~ faI4f
hood These must be in doors as well as
out of doors. In this climate we must
have our gymnasiums. The Y. NJ. c. A.
has come to our city as a great bless
ing. 1t will provide for many OF our
boys as the y w. c. A. will provide
for many of our girls. The really needy
classes, so far as prevention OF crime il
concerned, are not touched by either. Th
ones who struggle against the worst en-
vironments. in crowded parts and wher
there is little home life, are yet un-
reached.
"I plead for them. for there are few tC
do So At the gymnasium OF the
Friends School on Fifth street is q
work that is most commendable and
should touch the sympathies OF us all
IT is under the direction Of the Peoples
Settlement There once a week sixty
children come. They do not need rubber
soled shoes. nature provided more last
ing ones and they use them. Instead
Of sixty there might be 400 II there were
helpers and room. This brings strik-
ingly before us the need for the new
Building OF the Settlement that is al
ready projected. For the prevention o
juvenile crime in this city nothing woult
be of more lasting benefit than TO con
struct this building.
81 have but moment to consider tbs
last but not least cause of wrong doing
II is companionship-as Th'
gang is as natural and right as III
} club Both are essential factors in socia
life. Boys are certain to find compan
ions We are past the period for despis
ing or fighting the gang but are think
=. ing Of utilizing II for the greatest good
II has the elements Of a republic or
we'll regulated civilization Wise men ar
taking advantage of It to train boys 70
n future citizenship and christian ser
rt vice.
Ir 1--WE are passing to a hopeful age. an
e. one that will see vast changes wrough
10 for childhood. Better protection. bette
IL direction and better training
en- 1.-The common and low objection Wi
ed always protrude itssef. Tt costs money
SIS OF course. but crime costs money. 1t
the most expensive luxury we indulge. !
is cheaper to educate boy than to re
: form him. II am not mistaken it cost
IL S291G TO educate a boy in this city an
costs $3.50 to keep him at the Ferrl
School Besides the cost Of the court
= the cost Of property and the cost in hear
i aches and disappointments"