Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-03
.ERR|NG 'HUBB|ES"
. FACE DOUBLE TERM
judge Latimer Has Plan to En-
force Payment in Nom
Support Cases.
YEAR IN THE W0RKHOUSE
HE THINKS WILL BE CURE
Visit to Occoquan and Conference
With Supt. Whitaker Re-
suits in Decision.

Husbands and fathers at liberty under
suspended sentences for non-support of
their wives and children who fail to
make the payments ordered by the judge
OF the Juvenile Court will have the usual
workhouse sentence for such delinquency
doubled. provided their failure to keep up
the payments to their families is due to
drinking. Judge Latimer said today,
after visit to the workhouse at occo-
guam, that he had determined on this
course as the wisest one to follow.
1t has grown to be rather a precedent
that term Of six months be imposed
when the unfortunates who have failed
In their payments on account of whole
souled devotion to liquor are brought into
court, though occasionally terms of
year have been imposed. The judge says
his decision to lengthen the term is to
try to cure some of these men of the
thirst for alcohol. Too often these men
have been given their liberty and a sec
ond chance to provide properly for their
families after they have served one or
two months of the six imposed by the
court. and generally they go back to
drinking within a very short time.
Judge Latimer visited Occoquan Satur-
day and had conference with w. H.
Whitaker. superintendent Of the work
house. The judge made thorough In
spection Of the institution. but the princi-
pal reason for his visit was to determine
II there was not some way in which the
reform of drunkards could be accom-
plished.
Families Often Receive More.
The families Of these men are often bet
ter provided for while the men are in the
workhouse than when the men are at
liberty. 1t is argued. The men work. at
Occoquan. and they work hard. There is
O large farm to be taken care of and a
great deal of construction work going on
continually. For each days work that
they perform those dependent on them
receive SO cents. which is sometimes more
than they get from the same men when
they are working elsewhere for higher
wages, it is said.
posed by Judge Latimer in the future,
there is still a chance for the unfortu-
mates to regain their liberty before the
whole year has passed. II have every
confidence in Mr.. Whitaker" Judge Lat
liner said, following his visit, land / will
be guided by his judgment in paroling
these men. II Mr.. Whitaker reports
been really cured of the drink habit,
will parole him and suspend the remainder
Of his sentence"
Judge LatiIner also plans the forma-
ton of a big brothers and sisters or
ganization. for aiding in the care of chill
dren under probation at the court They
will not In any sense take the place of
the regular probation officers of the
court, but will take charge of these
charges after they have reached the stage
where they need advice and kindly COM
partnership.
Method Of the Organization.
Each can take one child, and give a
little OF his or her time to the very i'm
portant task Of helping the child over
what may prove the greatest crisis in
the child's career We hope to have en-
listed in this cause persons who will adj
wise. see that the child gets the proper
schooling, and occasionally provide some
wholesome and healthful amusement for
the boy Or girl under their care In this
will prove to be the instrument for chang
Ing potential criminal or vagrant into q
useful citizen"
In number Of the cities visited by
Judge Latimer on his tour Of inspection
OF the childrens courts OF the large cities
Of the east and middle west the Judge
round some OF these organizations in ex-
| istence. and the amount of real good they
accomplished, the Judge said. Is almost
beyond belief.
| 1t is the usual plan to have such an
organization governed by q board of fif.
| teen, five Of the board OF the Catholic
faith, five Professionals and five Hebrews
| this voluntary work are raised by the as.
l seSSment OF membership fees