The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-08
CITIZENS FAIL ID
 GIVE COOPERATION
Willows Reports On Work Of
 Boys Club
TREATMENT OF THE BOYS
Superintendent Finds Some Very Fragrant Examples of Failure to Aid Club in Securing Proper
 Homes For Boys

Maurice Willowsg superintendent of the Boys club and Children's Aid society has submitted his report for August and in it cooperation on the part of many citizens in carrying on the work. In his report MT. Willows says:
 ''To the Board of Control
 Twelve white boys, ten negro boys and two girls, under the age of 15. were arraigned before the recorders court for sundry offenses during August Two of the remainder placed under probationary watchcare. Eight cases were settled out of court after friendly conferences be- tween parents, the recorder and proba- tion officers.
 Three runaways were turned over by the police authorities and returned to their people in other cities. Homes were found for three boys and positions for four others.
 Mine lads were boarded clothed and lodged by the society until permanent homes could be found for them.
 -Four alleged cruelty to children cases were reported and investigations made Twenty-one children of various ages were reported as neglected and in need of the care of the state. These received at tention in so far as authority of the pro- bation of officers could go.
 Three desertion cases were brought be- fore the courts and the rights of the children looked after
 By way of supplement I would like to state that the cooperation of the As sociated Charities is adding efficiency to the child saving work in this city. The Industrial school, Mercy Home and kin dred institutions, as well as the city and county authorities, are always ready with their assistance, but your officers are needing certain cooperation from our citizenship in general which they do not get at present. Instances like the following are becoming altogether too common.
 "A well-known citizen claimed that in his neighborhood a child was being mis- treated by his stepfather, who by the way was an officer and considered a dangerous man. Instead of making a re- port to local authorities information was sent to the child rescue department at Washington, D. C., who in turn sent the report to our office for investigation. When the informers were interviewed they refused to furnish the facts or evi- dence. Among the serious complaints made in this case was that the step father and mother were running a dis orderly house.
 Another case was that of father who run a blind tiger and was In tho habit of taking his 1O-year-old Son out tt camp with him on Saturday nights anc making him drunk. The well-knowr woman making the complaint knew al the facts and could furnish the needed evidence but would not because fhel action might damage her husbands busi ness.
 "A few days ago bright little fellow of nine summers was placed in oui charge. His parents were both dead. Ar | older brother had cared for him until he married. Shortly after an effort was made to place the little fellow in the state reformatory for the serious of fense of being an orphan boy When 1 the matter was referred to Us we agreed | to try and place him with some of his | relatives for care and education. How ever the older brother insisted that he was a mean boy and should be in the | Form school.
 T had informed the brother that the Industrial school was crowded beyond itt capacity at the time and that a family home was the best place for the little dependent. In his haste to get rid of his | little brother he consulted policeman as to the quickest route for the kid' tc East Lake. The officer replied. Let hin go down to the store and steal some thing
 Similar experiences come to this office almost daily, all of which reminds us that even laws and officers for the pro- lection of childhood, as well as all laws are ineffective unless reinforced by the | loyalty and cooperation of our citizen l ship. Respectfully submitted. Il MAURICE WILLOWS, "Superintendent."