Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-10

WHERE titles galore in this free and Independent
i country of ours. However, being an insistently

THERE titles galore in this free and Independent
country of ours. However, being an insistently
democratic sort of nation the presumption is that
such appeations in all prefxed to designate
line of special professional endeavor rather than no
biity of birth or soul.
All of which is merely to emphasize the fact that
probably the unique ttular distinction in the world IS
borne by American citizen, and intensely demo-
cratic at that Its possession does not privilege
Ernest K. Coulter to append any part of the alphabet
to his name does it sanction the wearing of be-
rbboned pendent rampant upon the broad and muscular
expanse of his breast The only outward sign of Cou
tiers title lies in his smiling sympathetic face There
something of tenderness temperng strength in the eyes
and mouth of the that puzzles you bit until you
learn its source: Then you understand; for Ernest
Coulter is the original "Bg Brother, NOT the common
garden variety of brother who has his knship thrust
upon him; but the born, steadfast, unwaverng big
brother of every ragged unfortunate street gamn in
the world.
Coulter doesn't mind the absence of ribbons or jew
eled decorations. They wouldn't fit in with his mental
makeup: Like Cornelia his jewels are human; but
where the Roman matron had but two Coulter has
many thousands and the JOY of watching an ever IN
creasng addition to his possessions.
THE Big Brothering habit got firm stronghold
Coulter long before he to New York. 1t
nearly cost him his first job. Graduating from the Ohio
State University 1898, he secured position cub
reporter Pittsburgh paper. Here he ev1nced so
much interest in the street urchns OF the Smoky City
that his city editor informed him he had mistaken
notion of the natural functions of newspaper that it
was to gather and dispense news, not to run slum
kindergarten. Thereafter he succeeded in creating
purely imaginary line between his vocation and his
cation, and held on to BOTH
Developing into first class reporter, he gravtated
toward New York few years later, and naturally also
gravtaed to the East Side, where he again began his
task of winning the friendship of the shrewd suspicious
young denizens of the streets OF course he succeeded
for then the born Big Brother understood the
gamin's viewpoint of life as probably no other man.
Quickly the word was spread that 4dat guy. is on de
level and Coulter admitted to their friendship
And the friendship of these youngsters knows
reservation. Coulter learned of conditions that
appalled, him. One remedial chance he saw that of
correcting the absolute injustice of CHASING unrestaned
mischevous boys criminals and rneting out the
sort of punishment is given the confirmed crook He
believed and subsequent events have demonstrated the
truth of his conviction that there few really bad
boys; all any of them needed was fair chance to
derstand and real opportunity to get out of habits
created by an environment into which they born.
In 1902 the Chidren's Court opened in New
York and in recognition of his work for its establish
Coulter was made its clerk. From that day the
avocaton became life task, and the Big Brother
into his Today he is practising law; but helping
his boys still remains Couter's real lifework