The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-09
HELPS
MANY TO REFORM
DRINKS Support Families TO Pre-
vent Being Sent to
Roads.
OFFICERS MAKE REPORTS
Now Collecting at Rate of $4,000
Year-Individual Cases
Studied.

Richmond's probation officers are now
collecting at the rate of about $1,000
the year from habitual drunkards and
others who fail to support their fam
lilies, according to the reports of J. w.
Wheaton and g. r.. PoitiauX, made
TO the State Board of Charities ana
Corrections This money al goes to
the families of the men, who are kept
to time by visions of hard labor on
the roads unless they turn their earn
ings over to the officers.
During the rst year Of Officer Poi
tiaux's service he collected about 81
500. and during the second year about
$4,000. The scope of work is growing
constantly.
Secretary J. T. Mastin of the chart
ties board, is greatly pleased with the
showing, and with the good results in
making chronic inebriates wor@ for
their families. Practically all of the
money collected by the probation Of
iicers would, he believes, go for liquor
but for the hand OF the law.
Reforming Delinqucnts.
Under the terms of the Law reiat-
ing to probation officers, as amended
by the bill offered by John Orr Daniel
in the last Legislature. IL is extended
10 apply to any city in Virginia with
more than $1,000 inha bjtants. II be
comes the duty OF the chief OF police
of all such cities. or of the probation
officer. if there is one, whenever ne
finds a confirmed drunkard or a man
who does not support his family. TO
deliver first an admonition. II this
is not effective, the officer must bring
the person before the cour.. Tne Judge
no ~
accused TO bail putting him under the
supervision of the probation officer,
whose duty il is 10 examine the facts.
including the antecedent history and
environment Of the man. and exercise
constant supervision over him, using
every effort to encourage and stimu-
late him to reformation. whenever the
probation rules are violated. the &C
cused may be arrested without war
rant and brought again before the
court 10 be sent to work on the pun
lie roads. where he is left until he
agrees to support his family. when he
comes back under probation Drunk
ards are kept on the roads until they
satisfy the sergeant OF the camp and
the superintendent of the penitentiary
that they have reformed. when they are
sent back to the care of the probation
those sent there speedily decide IT Is
best to walk the straight and narrow
path.
Details of Probation Work
For the month of December, Officer
PoitiauX's report shows. seventeen
drunks were placed in s charge. with
four persons accused of nonsupport
and one of larceny. one was released
at the request OF his wife. which may
be done by court order Drunkards
released on reformation numbered
twenty-one: three violators OF rules
were sent TO the roads: four who re-
pented were sent back from the roads
to probation. four arrests were mace
by the officer twenty-five calls were
made on the outside. and 225 visits
were paid to practitioners. He col
lected 1882 during the month. whicn
went to the families of the men in his
care.
In the same month. officer Wheai-
ton took charge OF fourteen DRINKS
and three accused OF nonsupport- one
was released at the request of his wiie
6fteen former drunkards were re-
lesaed: one went 10 the roads: two
vrere transferred from the roads 20
nrobation: six were arrested; twenty
three outside calls were paid. l9s VISITS
70 probationers were recorded; twenty
eight cases were INVESTIGATED. two boys
taken to Laurel Industrial school Col
Iections amounted to $1,000. ana al
the end OF the month the officer mad
in charge ffty-fve white and ten COL
ored proba;ioners
For the seven months OF his SER
vice. from June to December 81
1912. officer Wheaton, has had III
charge rs white drunks. ten coioreo
drInks. ter whites for nonsupport. and
ten colored for nonsuppoTt-total ~
In that time ninety-four have beer
released as reformed; twelve have come
rnder probation for the second tune
sixteen were sent 10 the roads TOT
lesson: nine learned the lesson aho
cano back 70 work on PROBATION
.birtv-one arrests were made; 2"1 out
side calls paid: 1.435 visits paid to pro
haiiorer<: ninety-seven inTcstisatioh'
conducted. eleven boys taken u
Laurel: eight girls taken to Bon AIT
nineteen children taken 10 phys'cis rs
,n5 Two children placed in homes
+ Total collections. s37t5o