The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-15
JUVENILE COURT
 IS MODERN STEP Only One City Has a Law Equal to Birmingham WHAT TT PROVIDES
Marks a New Era in the Treatment of Delinquents Who Are Under Sixteen Years
 of Age

A modern children court for Jefferson
 county is provided for by the final pas
 sage and enactment into law yesterday
 of the juvenile court bill as introduced
 by Senator Morrow.
 The passage of such a bill marks an
 epoch in social legislation as effecting
 the welfare of children and places this
 county and city in the lead of all other
 southern cities. In the proceedings of
 this court the chanceiy idea in handling
 children prevails entirely It will no
 more be guilty or not guilty?'' l When the child comes within it's juris-
 dction the court first informs itself as
 to the child itself What are the family and neighborhood influences? What are its school or employment records? What is it's physical condition? What is the lehids disposition and habits? What are the. causes that bring the child into de- linquency or waywardness or dependency? After the proper study has been made effort to begin to find the. proper refhedy and to place the child under right liv- ing conditions and guide it into normal training and education.
 Powers are conferred upon this court to hear and adiudicate cases of chil- dren under the age of Is years who are delinquent, neglected or otherwise SUD. jeet to discipline or in need of the care and protection of the state," and to have brought before it children who are in danger of becoming public charges as well as any child under the age of 16 years who engages in any occupation calling or exhibition. or is found in any place for permitting which, an adult may be punished by law, or so deports itself, or who is in such condition or sulround- ing, or under such improper or insuffi- ciont guardianship control as to en- danger the morals health or general well fare of such child.'
 It also provides that under no condition shall such child be placed in any jail, ealaboose or common lookup where crim- .inals are confined.
 It is the expressed intention of the act, that in proceedings coming under it's provisions the court must proceed under the theory that the child is the ward of the state and is subject to the disciplins and protection which the guardian and the court should give such child. under the conditions disclosed in the case, and that once jurisdiction is conferred it shal continue for the purposes of the act, dur5 ing the minority of such child.
 The details of the act provide for all the machinery of the court to properly care for their wards, and also provides for private hearings in childrens cases. Those who have r,,oda (. tbo,o,,.,t et,,1,, of the bill claim that it will keep the number of public institutional wards at a minimum. as under the new provisions parents and guardians can be made to pay for the support of their children # they have the means Many preventative measures are also provided for.
 Maurice Willows, superintendent of the Boys club, who is largely responsible for the provisions of the bill and whose in- terest in children's affairs everyone knows. in an interview with The Age Herald, said last night:
 The passage of this bill means social progress in the community, and l am eratiied. I believe this law the equal if i not superior to any in the country with possibly one exception. that of like law Yassed by the last New York assembly for the city of Rochester. N. r. With l hearty cooperation of the county au- thorities, the commissioners. charitable institutions and the public. we may ex- pect a great community good to come from this court"
 Mrs. James Weatherly, president of the Boys club and Children's Aid society sa i'd:
 This organization has worked for a modern children's court for years and, of course, we are glad to see for the future a fruition of our hopes. This is one more step in social advance. As an organization we desire to thank Judge Bell, MT. Pettus. Judge Lane and tho newspapers. who have helped in the edu-~ cational campaign. for this juvenile court for Jefferson"