The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-07
Mr.. Edison and My Friend Tony
School Lessons BY Motion Pictures Would Keep Tony From
Playing Hockey and Going Wrong
BY REN II. LINDSEY
Judge of the Juvenile Court of Denver

tJudge Lindsey recently visited Mr.. Ed
isons laboratories and heard him explain
how motion pictures might be used to
vitalize the studies in our public schools
so as to create in boys of evil habits and
tendencies a real interest in things worth
while. Mr.. Edison is now deyoting much
of his energy and thought to this field Of
experimentation. After seeing on the
screen demonstrations of what he is ac-
complishing, Judge Lindsey wrote the
following story)
Exclusive service The Survey Press
Bureau)
Tony would not go to school. He was a
chronic truant in spite of all threats of
reform school. What difference did that
make to him? He was already in jail
when he went to school. Fear of a po-
liceman was as nothing compared to his
fear of the least common multiple and
the greatest common divisor. He could
not help it, he was always saying when
he failed.
Finally he couldn't stand it any longer
to have the boys and girls in school
laughing at him as he stood dumbly at the
bolted, stole some brass from a freight
car, sold it to the ragman, saw moving
picture show. and was off for the noun
tains that seemed to rise to the clouds
just at the foot of the street.
He nearly froze to death sleeping in a
box car, and was carried away to Lincoln,
Neb. There he got ''pinched by de cop
and they brought him back to Denver to
my school, the juvenile court.
icf f,,et I, = -,
er, a truant officer, railroad policeman,
a probation officer plain clothes man
the whole battery lined up against him.
It's the third or fourth time. Is it pos
sble the judge won't send him up? Is he
going to encourage crime like that? just
listen to that kid'---this, as Tony's tear
full pleas rose above wagging tongues
and shaking heads.
II couldn't help it, Judge. I just couldn't
help it. | dunno why did it,
But" chimes in teacher, or truant Of
ficer, some member of the battery, 1--WE
told him that il he did it again he surely
would go to the State Industrial School
for Boys. And he can help it if he wants
to. He is one of the brightest boys in
school, Don't be easy with him. There
are SO many others like him..
Tony was mischievous indeed Now.
by law and fate he was a criminal. His
eyes were full of tears, but as roguish as
when he first beat 1t from de cops" |
was saying to myself what could not
say aloud: Tony. you poor little victim.
This whole wretched system should be
here before the bar of justice, not you
How would like to try tiff it did not
get change Of venue on the ground OF
prejudice.
How, cruel it was. this system that
chained him to a desk, forbade him even
a whisper, a wigele or a giggle-would il
not let him break out with a spontaneous
question or a laugh. 1t stif1ed and mis-
directed the energy of the child not for
him or his good. but for the tradition, for
the people who turned the cranks and did
the grinding.
Tony's brother came to plead for him.
You remember, judge, when I was up
for the same thing II years ago?'
why so you were, Angelo. How old
are you? What are you doing now?v
I'm % now, judge. You see you let me
quit school when ! was in the sixth
grade. I just couldn't get along there,
and you let me go to work. I'm married