The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07

thus interpreting the child and his parents to one another.
 Many children under probation are of working age and should be looked after | The following report illustrates a pie l turesque side of probation officer | work
 boy was returned from the John | Worthy school January l, 1907. He was | released and paroled to me and I secured a position for him soon after his release 1 He worked every day and last winter when the firm was laying off most of its help, and in my anxiety for his welfare telephoned to his employer asking him to retain the boy if possible and he ! pleased me much by saying, Fire him; I guess not; I keep him, if keep him as watchman. There is good stuff in that boy He was earning $8.75 a week and his mother allowed him 16 cents week spending money. Rain or shine he walked to work lived in a poor house; had but little encouragement from his home, but reported to me regularly and although. he Is now released from proba- ton he comes to see me Saturday nights, tells me his joys and his sorrows and know that he will be flrst-class citizen.
 Each days work of a probation officer
 is cross section of many lives. It is not enough merely for him to call on children under his care. He should have differ ent purpose to carry out in the case of each child. Each time he sees the child his parents, friend, teacher or pastor, he should push in the direction of one or more of these purposes. Tn Chicago. de- pendent as well as delinquent children are put under probation in order that their parents may be stimulated to care prop erly for them A typical days work might he follows.
 Left home at 8 80 and after an hours ride found J. R. at home instead of in school, taking care of the baby because his mother was washing. Made few marks that, 1t Is hoped, will carry con- viction to both Joe and his mother. Called at the school to inquire about the Ms and V. W. Gratified to see all so clean, which Is not always the case. Found T. P. at home because she is out of work. She prefers work in hotel Pointed out the dangers of hotel work. Wrote a note for her to take to the South End Center.
 Next called on J. D. Saw his mother. J. had just. returned to work; been sick a long time. Then went over to the South Chicago steel mills. Secured prom ise of work for s. M.
 Had some coffee and rolls in yestau- rant. Am entitled to an hour, but seldom take more than half that time A long Wafk 10 the F., s 10 ma tnaI' they had moved that morning. No neighbor knew where. I was confident that I could trace them. Have done so. Now in a slightly better place Called on Father F. 10 se- cure his influence on the K. family so that they will allow little W. to go to the hospital for treatment Stopped at police station to leave a message for Officer NJ long walk to see the Ks. Left a pair of shoes for c. Urged his mother to keep him at home nights. He favors the cheap theatres.
 Took Mrs c. with me to talk to Mrs. P. about A., as Mrs. F. is not only quite deaf, but speaks only Swedish Also a talk with A. about some girls. Advised her to keep away from them
 My last call was on Mrs IT., the des- eoness, as1 was sure she would help about A. We shall probably be obliged to send A. to Geneva
 So far as any child is concerned the care of the probation officer should he continuously directed along any or all of these lines as the child's need directs. So far as any days work is concerned the probation officer makes a series of visits. giving one kind of impulse in this case and another in that. as the welfare of each individual directs