The Detroit times., 1910-10-20
Supervisors Committee Acts Prompt
ly After Listening To Plea by Sam.
uel T. Douglas, Representing As
ISOLATION of Citizens.
Plan Is To Build Temporary Institu-
ton for Delinquents, With Per-
manent Home To Follow.


appropriate $4,000 for the establish
ment OF temporary detention home
for juvenile delinquents. The motion.
which was orered by Aid. Gilman.
was adopted unanimously, and the rec
ommendation will undoubtedly be
acted on favorably by the board. The
motion also contained q provision that
the supervisors will during the com
ing year visit and examine similar in.
situations In other cities, and at the
next meeting OF the board take up
the proposition OF establishing a per-
manent home In the county, so that
hereafter nc children will be sent
from this county to either Lansing or
Adrian institutions.
This step OF the committee was
taken after listening to a convincing
and exhaustive address by Attorney
Samuel 7. Douglas. who, with Will
lam Van Dyke, were spokesman for
committee OF gentlemen who met in
the home Of Charles II. Hodges re-
Gently and decided upon definite &C
ton looking toward the establishin
OF such a home. Mr.. Douglas made
II clear In his address that 1t was TO
the financial advantage TO the county
TO establish such an institution, to say
nothing of the greater good to be ac-
complished among the delinquent
children.
Members of the committee which
Mr.. Douglas represented were present
at the meeting, among them being DR..
Archibald Diack, Clarence Lightner,
William Van Dyke, Henry b. Ledyard.
Jr.. Luther s. Trowbridge. Jr., John
]. Whirl. Fred Butzel, Homer Lane.
William Rumney, Gaylord ellis, Don
NJ. Dickinson, Harry Buckley, Charles
w. Casgrain and Judge Murfn. Fred
NJ. Alger was unable to be present, but
he sent letter strongly indorsing the
proposition.
Mr.. Douglas proposed the establish
ment of temporary home to be con
Quoted for a year, so as to form some
idea of the needs of the county, and
next year the erection OF permanent
home could be taken up, and the
years experience would be or great
aid.
Mr.. Douglas presented figures 10
support his contention that the estap-
lishment Of such an institution would
prove a saving financially to the coun'
ty. lie said that OF the last l, 400 cases
handled before the present probation
system was established, 213 were sent
TO the industrial school These cases
cost the county Sc cents per day. or a
total OF $43 800 Added to this was
transportation expenses which made
the total expense about $4,000. or
the 635 cases handled under the pro-
baton system only SO have been sent
to the reform school. Carrying these
figures out 20 the proper ratio shows
a saving TO the county OF s26,5SO.
"The saving in dollars and cents Is
the smallest side of the case Mr..
Douglas stated impressively. THE
saving In cash is nothing compared
to the good accomplished. Wayne
county now talks of spending $4,000
600 for good roads, but the saving OF
boys and girls is of infinitely more
Importance than all the good roads
We can build"
In his reference to the work being
done by the probation officers Mr..
Douglas paid glowing tribute to
Miss Ada Fireman. who, he declared.
was one of the most self-sacrifcing
officers in the county's employ. She
worked for a mere pittance. he said.
and then gave away to the girls I'M
der her charge almost half her sal
airy.
Mr. Douglas also presented to the
committee his estimate of the prob
able expense of the temporary home.
which totaled $4,000. At the con-
cluslon of his address, the motion was
put and carried promptly. The COM
mittee then adjourned to take in the
excursion and picnic of county Off
Gals In Wyandotte.
The work of child saving has ap-
parently made a great impression on
the supervisors. Judge Hubert ap-
peared before the committee, Tuesday
and made request for five probs-
ton officers. He was then called
away by official business and during
his absence the committee decided 70
recommend the appropriation asked
for
Judge Hubert presented figures TO
the committee showing that Milwau-
kee has a home costing $4,000. and
has 10 probation officers ST. Louis
has IL officers, and a home costing
$40. 0CO Toledo has seven officers and
a home that costs $4,000 year TO
maintain.
The board of supervisors was in ses.
sion but few minutes. Wednesday,
and adjourned TO join the excursion
lists. A request from the county treas
urer for $7.4l0 to reinsure the county
house I'm Eloise. was referred to the
WAYS and means committee. The
county's property in Eloise is valued
at 1888, 900.
In Tuesdays session OF the ways
and means committee Sheriff CASTOR
was allowed $4,000 for an automobile
and $500 year for maintenance.
The good road commissioners made
request for a levy of one-half mill
for road purposes. II this is allowed
they will make the following expend-
itures: Michigan-rd.. s60,000 Gratiot,
$50 600: Mt. Elliott. 100000; Grand
/ River, 800. 900: Fort. $1,000; Eureka,
$40 900: Worthwhile. $4,000: Plymouth.
SO. 500; River, $4,000; Van Dyke. SILL.
! O0o. Wavne As 600