The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-19

extent In Detroit Ii the officials
would only investigate they would find
some startling things. member of
one OF our public boards conducts a
saloon where such things are done.
Haven't Criminal Tendencies.
These things do exist" continued
the bishop. THAT is where society
makes It's criminals. The boy or girl
rarely has an innate criminal tenden-
cy There are "A few children who
have criminal inheritance, but such
ought to be treated by pathological
experts, exactly as the state now
treats It's detectives. but the average
boy or girl Is full OF energy. curiosity.
good things, and unless they find
wholesome avenues OF expression they
will explode into mischief. When they
are not given wholesome avenues OF
expression. they find system which
turns them into criminal channels.
We are SO sure that In Detroit Life
Is Worth Living, that we do not see
the many things that should be done.
In connection with the juvenile
court there should be personal investi-
CATION OF the conditions in the home.
We do not have proper probation
system, nor probation officer, nor prop
er records OF these cases.
Would Extend Fairgrounds.
Further. the playground system
should be developed throughout the
city. II channels OF interesting occu.
patton are opened for the boy he
won't get into mischief. II would be
great deal better 10 pay money ior
Fairgrounds than to build useless
peristyles on Belle Isle Those In
charge OF the Fairgrounds should not
| be broken down policemen, but men
who comprehend child nature and the
psychological value OF child play
The city of Detroit ought to have
the right place to tai with those who
come under the sentence OF the juven-
lie court We have no other way than
the jail. Cleveland has farm OF | 900
acres. with separate cottages where
the boys are kept in the family system.
twelve boys In a cottage. They are
sent TO school and govern themselves.
Detroit should have something of the
kind IL 1t would be abreast OF the
times.
In the Industrial school In Lansing.
the boys are under military and prison
discipline The boys come in chain
gang step like inmates OF the peniten-
tiary There is the atmosphere OF the
prison about II. Those In charge seem
to be more concerned in looking after
the economical conditions than the de-
velopment of the boys. They pointed
with more pride 10 the kind OF beets
, raised than to what had been done for
the boys. The impression | got while
there Is that II is more Of a penal in
stitution than reformatory.
George. Jr., Republic.
Those In charge would do well to
study the Institution known as the
! George. Jr.. Republic. a little country
place not far from Ithaca, y. Y, where
there Is big farm. Mr. George gath.
cred there homeless boys. incorrigk
bles. juvenile delinquents, both boys
and girls, and organized a republic.
The boys are self-governing, elect
their own officers. administer their
own discipline. have their own cur.
rency which passes only in that com
immunity. The boys earn according to
their ability and industry. II they are
intelligent and Industrious and make
great deal. they may board at the
Waldorf Astoria, and less and less
comfortable places and lodging houses
are provided according TO their earn
Ing capacity. there being shacks for
tramps and ne'er do-wells. for fellows
who won't work.
Just outside OF Cleveland there Il
farm OF / .000 acres known as Boy.
Vile. Here the boys go to school hal.
a day and spend the other half in gar
dening. raising livestock and some
times games They administer large.
~ their 9Se discipline. Boyvllle is
city %iltion. II is money well
inves12osurn mischevious boys into
good - izens. IL will cost less than. a
| system Of repression. where criminals
are made OF the boys instead 81 COOL
] citizens.
Tremendous Opportunities Here.
We tave tremendous opportunities
in Detroit, but We have not quite