Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-12

races. and the same proportion applies
with respect to those who have broken
their paroles. Among the vocatons rep
resented are government employees. trades
men. musicians. the stage. chauneurs.
railway employees. the law. bell hops and
hod carriers. An ordained clergyman OF
one OF the denominations that has nuner-
Gus churches i'm Washington was A candle
date recently for probation. The invesu-
cation of the probation officer into ths
past five or six years OF his life was
negative. and he was committed TO the
workhouse for six months. The authori-
ties called him a moral defective"
The nationalities represented on the pro-
baton records include English, Irish. Ger
man. italian. Spanish-American and West
Indian. A month or more ago Japanese
convicted of carrying concealed weapons
asked for the privileges of parole. 1t
was denied him because OF perjury on the
witness stand. OF the offenses commit
ted by probatoners. petty larceny heads
the list. followed closely by simple as
sailt, grand larceny and disorderly con-
duct. Other offenses represented by more
than five probationerS are assault with =
dangerous weapon. embeZzlement. for
gerry. robbery and habitual drunkenness.
No defendant convicted of violating the
gambling laws. the excise laws or the
local game laws have as yet received the
benefit of a parole.
That an affection must develop in thu
breasts of the probation officers for soma
of their charges in view OF the close init"
macy they encourage is to be expected.
They admit it,
Il have been godmother at baptiGns. (
know the dates of the births of twenty
children, I've been consulted about theff
education. I've selected dresses for thu
mother and suits for the little boys, ano
assisted in arranging the furniture in the
little four-room homes Why shouldn't
become attached to people who would
make me feel l am their protector az
we'll their adviser? 1t Is a diffic,ilt
matter sometimes to always be impartial
TO each member of my probation family.
remarked Miss Foster
cit is the purpose eventually 10 esstabliSa
employment and savings bureaus in both
probation Offices. where probationers may
secure work and deposit small amounts
weekly or monthly. The probation ONE
GERS are now doing their utmost to bring
their charges to the realization that II 10
almost necessary. especially If they are
of the laboring class, to set aside GER
tain sum from the earnings each week
for the future rainy day. At the present
time about a dozen and a half have
opened bank accounts at the suggestion
of the probation officers. These bureaus
will not be established, however. until
the number of probationerS will Justify IL.
An old gray-haired negro emerged from
the probation office of the Police Court
one afternoon about a week ago. He
was leaving after his weekly visit 10 Mr..
Massie He limped badly from rheuma-
tsm and descended the stairs to the
street slowly. with the assistance OF a
stout cane. When asked If he Were one
of Judge Mullownys prohationers he
stopped and looked quizzcally at his
questioner.
II sho' is, cap'en. sho' is, but II
kayn't hurt me. Use natchlly respect
able. I wuZ ris' right" he remarked.
moment later he added. confidentially, "It
doan' consarn me in de leas.
The probation officers announced tie
old fellow was seyenty-four years old.
and had admitted stealing scrap iron
along the river front. He Informed the
court that the theft was for the purpose
of repairing his wife's cook stove.
II should very much regret to see the
law repealed II has given the judiciary
the power to save men from the PEN
itentiaIy. at the same time offering them
an opportunity to reclaim themselves, q
fact in itself that is of untold benefit to
the community. The probation system
leaves the penal institutions only for
the vicious criminals or habitual law
breakers. Instances of the laws success
have come under my observation almost
daily / was one of its strongest advo-
Gates, and am now among ITS strongest
supporters said Harry NJ. Clsbsugh.
the District. Justice Clabaugh has
placed twenty-six individuals on prot,af
ton. -
1.-THE law is an excellent one. IT has
filled a long-felt want in the local COURTS
in dealing with certain classes OF Grim
inal defendants. When AN individual
commits an offense and is allowed his lib
erty on parole the fact that a penlterr
tiary term stares him in the face the mo-
ment he makes misstep is a powerful
factor in compelling obedience to ths
laws OF the land II must necessarily
reduce the number of persons servfn0
law is an unqualified success in my
opinion" Such Is the opinion OF Asso-
ciate Justice Daniel Thew Wright OF the
Supreme Court of the District Justfce
Wright has placed twenty-eight indie
viduals on probation.
''If for nothing else the law is Suos
Cess as a deterrent to the commissiuH
of crime. A man on probation is brought
TO an abrupt realization Of his duties al
citizen, and is made to understand
that If he goes amiss in his obligation
10 behave himself there is little TO expect
from society in the future. The alternas
live brings long and serious thought, ana
the result. nine times out OF ten. is ans
other saved from the life Of crime and
viciousness. am glad the system 10
in operation, and L am glad to exercise
il whenever 1 can. 1t is a valuable a.
set to the community at large" said
James l.. Pugh. judge OF the Distrioe
branch OF the Police Court. Judge Pugh
has placed forty-nine persons on pro-
baton.
Il frankly confess I would not. know
what to do without the probation law
in dealing with certain defendants that
come before me. Its repeal would be q
calamity. 1t has solved the problem OF
treating crime that isn't committed In
or malice and has become
tie medium of helping many poor
fellow mp the steep path toward the posi-
ton he once held among his fe!loS-n N.
am an enthusiast. and the more | see
Of the systems practical operation tue
more | am cony.nt ed tlat IL mus remain
part and parcel OF the District ourls f",''
al time. There Is "a au stiea ar the
laws permane nj succt 80 ID AlrSan' -
4. Mullowny. judge CT the s'nited states
branch of the Police Court. Judge Nu-
lowny has placed twenty-eisht persons On