The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-01-12
BY James Inaebrstsen.

While juvenile court work did not
originate in the state of Utah, we may
safely say that as much pioneer work
has been done in this state as in any
other and this state is now being con-
siderably looked to for example and
leadership in this field of endeavor
That being the case, we should strive
to maintain the highest possible stand
ard of efficiency, not only in our courts
but in auxiliary agencies that are in
dlspensable to such courts.
The most necessary of such agencies
IS detention home. 1t is folly to ex-
pect perfect or even satisfactory re-
suits from probation officers and a re-
form school only. BY far the greater
percentage of juvenile delinquents re-
Guire not so much watching or strict
supervision as they do simply a change
of home atmosphere. The experience
of all juvenile workers is that this can
best be accomplished by a detention
home or school.
The statutes of this state contem-
plate the establishment of such a home
or school. It is true the language of
the aet read literally, merely gives the
county commissioners discretionary
power to establish such a school, but
it is well settled principle of law that
where power is conferred by such
words as may" upon a public body or
an officer to do an act for the benefit
OF the public at large, that such words
are construed to be mandatory. Ac-
cOrdingly, in this case since a deten-
ton school is SO urgently needed for
the public good, the language confer
| ring power on the county commission
| ers to establish such school. must be
construed as positively directing them
to establish it.
The fact that after having done so a
question may arise as to their right to
reimbursement from the city for por-
ton of the expense, should not deter
them from doing promptly and thor
Oughiy their official duty. This is not
only quibbling. but it is quibbling over
a question that may never arise when
! the school has actually been estab-
| lished.
| l do not presume to say tha< the city
may be compelled to pay for such in
mates of the school as. may be COM
mitted from the city, but / emphatic
| ally say that it does not matter in the
| least what the liability of the city may
be. The county commissioners do not
hold office solely for the interests of
the precincts outside of Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City is as much and should
/ be more of a concern to the county
commissioners than any other precinct
| in the county. 1 venture to say that
| three-fOUrths of the taxes and more
than that proportion of the population
and property Of the county is found in
Salt Lake City, and consequently the
/ city does not ask too much of the COM
missiOners in demanding that this de-
tentiOn home be established for the
/ benefit of the entire county. even
! though they may not be able to secure
a special contribution from the city for
the special advantage it may gain in
/ the establishment of this home.
1 believe public sentiment should be
directed, not to an attempt to settle at
| this time the question Of the division
of responsibility between the city and
county for the support of a home or
school, but to the prompt establish
ment of such a home by the county
| commissioners, who are charged by
law TO establish such a home or school
| All citizens who are interested in this
work should make it a point to demand
1 the county commissioners to do their
| duty in this respect, without reference
| to the question that may arise after
/ they have discharged this duty.
Respectfully submitted.
! JAMES INGEBRETSEN.