The Washington herald., 1909-10-30
EUGENlCS PROMPTS
A UNIQUE PROBE
Rev. Zed COpp to Investigate
Homes of the Poor.
TRIPS TO BE MADE at NIGHT
Police OF Third Precinct VIII Aid
Probation officer I'm His study
Which Is Undertaken for EthnO-
logical Reasons and 10 Suppress Al
legged Conditions of Lower Glasses.

What VIII probably be the most unique
Investigation Of the homes Of the poor
for chronological reasons ever tried in
Washington will be undertaken by Rev.
Zed H. Copp. probation officer OF the
District. the police Of the Third precinct.
and health inspector on Saturday, De-
rember II. and the following Wednesday.
For the first time since the Juvenile
Court was established. an official will
enter the homes Of the poorer classes
after they have retired.
Mr.. Cops trips will be unofficial and
the material obtained will be used only
in subsequent lectures on local condl-
tlons among the poor. IN addition to
data which he VIII collect. the probation
officer will have a camera and fashlight
apparatus along, with which he expects
10 get evidence OF conditions that will
startle some OF Washington's conserva-
tive citizens.
May Make Arrests.
The first trip will be made from the
Third precinct at 10 o'clock at night
Houses where squalor and poverty and
large families combine 20 make careful
observation Of the prophecies almost i'm
possible viii be entered and the arrange
ment Of the sleeping rooms noted. 1t is
not supposed arrests will be made unless
unusually fiagrant cases are found.
On the following Wednesday. at mid
night. another excursion will start with
newspaper men, policemen, and the
health inspector as members Of tile party.
different territory will be traversed.
Both white and negro homes will be en-
tered The exact route will be kept Sc
cret until the party has left the precinct.
but the homes visited, II is known, will
be those over which Mr.. Copp has been
experimenting a superficial watch for
some time
Few questions VIII be asked during the
rips. AZ all Of the homes which are
n the line Of parade, Mr. Copp Is aware
II the present relationships. he expects.
therefore,. TO carry out the object OF his
Investigations without undue delay
II is supposed now each Of the trips
win consume In the neighborhood OF
TWO hours. Whether in his unofficial ca
2acity. Mr. C0pp will inform Judge De
Lacy OF conditions as he finds them Is
rot known, but it IS supposed his evi-
ience win bear weight with the court In
is future dealings with homes where
.'t Af'ltA 9ttllAAitll Us az 2 ll0L as lutg ought
30 be
Life Vow Overlooked.
This particular phase of the life Of the
poor said Mr.. CoDo last night. has
been 50 far overlooked by the Juvenile
Court. don't believe that as a general
thing we win find conditions very bad
but / am confident what we do discover
WiH prove valuable enltghtenment 20
ne general public. Little thought is given
AZ tho present time TO the immortality en-
sencered by insufficient or badly ar
anged sleeping quarters.
i do not think the manner in which we
ipproach them VIII be IN any way offen-
i've. our trip. while it may seem a bit
methical. is distinctly for the common
,ood. / believe as a result of this trfn
he eyes Of the Washington public will be
pened as .hey have never been opened
cfore"