New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-16
PLAN NOVEL LABORATORY
Rockefeller Provides Funds for
Study of Social Hygiene.
TEST REFORMAT0RY GIRLS
Tract of SO Acres Acquired at
Bedford Hills, N. Y, Near
State Institution.

John D. Rockefeller and others have pro-
vided the funds for the establishment OF
laboratory for research work in social
hygiene 10 he conducted in connection with
the State Reformatory for Women, at Bed
ford Hills y. Y. a ninety-three-acre farm
near the reformatory farm has been pur-
chased from Eugene Sanchez, New YORK
importer. for the home of the laboratory.
The laboratory expenses have been guar
anteed for a period of five years by the
Bureau OF Social Hygiene. which consists
OF John d. Rockefeller, jr., Starr j. Muir
ply. Paul VI. Warburg and Miss Katharine
B. Davis, the superintendent OF the re-
formatory. The plan has been approved by
the Attorney General of the state. and IN
order that the inmates in the laboratory
may be in legal custody while the eXamina-
lions are being made the farm has been
leased by the new owners to the reforma-
tory at a nominal sum.
The plan Is to send each girl when she
is committed. TO the laboratory for study
from three different points of view-psycho-
logical. sociological and pathological. There
will be specialized STATS to conduct the
work in each of these three departments.
The psychological work will consist OF test
ing the girls and women to find out wheth-
er they are mentally deficient and IN what
particulars they are normal or sub-normal.
The work of the sociological department
will be that of learning through field work
ers what influence. If any. heredity and en-
vironment had in the commitment 10 the re-
formatory. The pathological department
will study the girls physical conoltloh'
From the material thus gathered 1t Is hoped
will be gained not only a knowledge OF the
causes Of the forms of delinquency which
are responsible for the commitment OF
Young women to the reformatory, but in
formation which will make II possible to
diagnose cases promptly and properly
classify them. The ultimate object IS that
of furnishing simple method OF diagnosing
cases Of women who have been convicted OF
crime in order TO determine before sentence
whether a person can be reformed OF
whether she ought TO be sent to custodlai
home for feeble minded or an insane asy-
lum.
The laboratory and a building for the
accommodation Of fifty inmates Will be
erected this summer. The scientific stan
will occupy the home Of Mr.. SANCHEZ, in
which also will he the Offices
The laboratory grew out OF the r"cognl-
ton by Miss Davis. the superintendent OF
the fact that many of those who are COM
mitted to the reformatory are feeble mind
ed and that their offences against society
REQUIRE a different treatment from that sup
posed to he provided at a refornatory'
The question. however. was how to test
the case in order that the commitment
might he 10 the proper institution without
waste of time This called for test that
could be applied in a simple manner under
the direction of the courts. 1t Is purposed'
therefore, 10 make use OF the material 10
be had at the Bedford reformatory IN gath
ering the desired information.
The accomplishment of this work has
been In Miss Daviss mind for long time
II was outlined some time ago to members
Of the committee on criminal courts OF tho
New York Charity ORGANIZATION society
and the Board Of City Magistrates ana mas
received the approval Of the Chief Magls-
tratc. Mr.. McAdoo; Judge Foster or the
Court Of General Sessions. and OF JusuceS
Of the Court OF Special Sessions.