Evening journal., 1911-09-30
DELACY TELLS OF THE
JUVENILE COURT SUCCESS

A representative audience listened /
to a practical speech on Juvenile
Court methods, given by Judge Will
liam H. DeLacy. of the Juvenile
Court of Washington, ID. c.. under the
auspices Of the Wilmington Juvenile |
Court and Probation Association and
the Social Service Committee OF the
New Century Club. at the club build
speaker, Caleb u. Burchenal, who
presided since illness compelled the
absence OF President George b. Mil
Ter of the association. told Of the l27
cases. n OF them settled out Of court,
taken up by the Wilmington Juvenile
Court since It's establishment In July,
only three of which cases have been
sent to the Ferris School. Only one
fourth Of the boys brought before the
court were colored OF the l9 larceny
cases, Probation Ofiicer Farra said
three-fourths OF the boys rtole to get
money 10 go to the moving picture
shows or in imitation of hold-ups
seen at the moving picture shows.
Mr. Burchenal paid eloquent trih-
utes TO Juvenile Court Judge Latto-
mus. to Chief Probation Officer Farra,
Brown, which called forth the heart
lest applause from the audience. In
concluding he stated that the local
Juvenile Court has succeeded in get
ting children to go 10 school where
parents, teachers and city court have
failed
Courts Origin.
Judge DeLacy traced the Juvenile
Courts origin 20 Pope Clement XI,
who established a separate court In
Rome to try offenders under 90. In
connection with a reformatory insti-
tuition where instruction was given
toward making good citizenship. To
Chicago belongs the Juvenile Court
Of today.
Judge DeLacy has been Judge IN tho
Washington Juvenile Court since ite
establishment fve years ago, trying
in that time $4,000 juvenile cases.
which meant dealing with parents
also The children do not hear each
others cases tried, unless there are
several up for one matter. then there
have been as high as twenty-five chill
dren with their parents about one
matter. The children's names are
kept out OF the papers, but the hear
ings are public. the Judge finding that
the spectators profit by the dramatic
lessons Of the court. while they pay
little attention 10 the individual child
who "a scarcely visible 10 the audi
ence. The judge declared against
volunteer probation officers, though
upon a child's release from probation,
he sends him with a letter 10 the
priest, minister, or rabbi. of his faith.
asking the care of this natural big
brother" and there clery have never
failed the court
Go TO School.
The children put on probation arc
required to either 70 TO school or
work, 70 keep of he streets after
dark. to go To church, 10 be ohedieni
TO their parents. TO keep away from
moving picture shows. in cases Of
larceny to make restitution. and 10
report. besides the reports 10 the pro-
baton officer. to the court twice q
month. judge DoLacy receives the
working children prohationers or
Sunday afternoons. not TO interior,
with their employment. He believes
in giving them every chance possible
70 make good without being "to
easy" For instance, boys will be re
quired TO report when Il means tn
losing OF holiday time. or will be re-
quired TO pay a $40 fine by earninl
the money themselves and paying u
cents a weak. meaning forty trips e
the court before It is all paid. which