The Washington herald., 1911-09-06
CHILDREN'S COURT
NEEDS MORE MONEY
Judge W. H. De Lacy Urges
Larger Appropriation.
PRoBAT1oNERs ARE SUCCESSFUL
Work L. Impeded by Present In
adequate QuRrters-Recomme
Congress Give Money for New
Court and House of Detention.
Must Quit Late Street Trades.

Declaring that the humanitarian efforts
OF the Juvenile Court in its work in be-
half of delinquent children and parents
OF the District is impeded and retarded
by the present inadequate quarters al
lowed the court, Judge William H. De
Lacy. in his annual report. earnestly
recommends that Congress appropriate
money for the erection OF new buildings
for the court and the House OF Deten-
ton.
The report, which is printed annually
by order of Congress, in reviewing the
work of the past year. shows plainly
where better results might have been
obtained but for the cramped and un-
pleasant quarters in which II has been
housed. The agitation In favor Of
new courthouse for Judge De Lacy's
tribunal has been gaining impetus for
some time, and Congress will be urged
more insistently than ever TO make bet
ter provision for the court at the coming
session.
Plans Already Submitted.
Estimates already have been called for
on plans submitted for the erection Of
the new building. and 1t is understood
that pressure will be brought to bear
from influential sources interested in the
work for Washington's rising generation
to induce Congress to give the matter
serious and favorable consideration.
During the last year 3.lS9 cases came
before the Juvenile Court. and sos. 30
was paid to the clerk in fines and for
FIXTURES, according to the report.
There were 2,259 children brought into
court, and 557 adult offenders stood be-
fore the bar of Justice. Six hundred and
six OF the offenders were charged with
larceny. 337 with disorderly conduct, 196
with violation of the police regulations,
and I66 with throwing missiles. Two hun
dred and twenty of the youngsters were
committed to the care OF the Board OF
| Childrcn's Guardians. l45 were sent TO
the National Training School for Boys,
400 cases were dismissed. and 5US children
were placed on probation.
OF the adult offenders, 523 were charged
with nonsupport. The clerk received $685.
6S47 TO be turned over for the support
of children. From the offenders sent to
the workhouse and Jail for the nonsup-
port of minor children. S,+4I.5O was re-
celved and paid TO the needy persons.
Parents Are CustOdians.
The natural custodians of the children
are the parents" reads the report. The
proper environment for child Is Its
own home. The home now has as fur
ther aid the Juvenile Court in order that
children who commit crime. or otherwise
violate the regulations of the community,
may not be thrown by the State into
contact with the adult criminal The
Juvenile Court is an aid TO not sub
stitute for the home. 1t is rather de-
signed TO keep the home up to its OBJ
| legation TO the child.
During the year probation officers were
sent at night to the theater and CLUB dis
tricts TO talk with unattended children
under fourteen years of age, and TO warn
their parents of the harm in letting the
| YOUNGSTERS wander around the streets
after dark The probation officers re-
ported that there was a surprisingly
small number of the young night wander
ers and that those who were found uSu-
ally took the advice of the officers ana
remained away from the places after
ward.
Judge De Lacy recommends that the
child labor law be amended so as TO pre-
vent children under fourteen years OF
age from engaging in the street trades
after o'clock in the evening. He says
| that this would remedy conditions among
the children of the city greatly.
Probation Lessons Crime.
The probation system employed by the
| tribunal is considered one of the best
means Of lessening crime among the chill
dren. Those placed on probation are re-
quired to attend the court four times a
month, when they are given moral and
educational instruction. The probation
officers visit the homes of the children
from time to time to see that proper
places are provided for the youngsters.
Statistics show that only a small per-
centage of the probationers backslide
During the last year there were 155 Of
tenders brought into court for the second
| time, 81 for the third time, and only for
the fourth time. This shows statistically
the value of the probation system.