The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-21
ARE THE GIRLS OF ALABAMA
LESS WORTH SAVING THAN
BOYS?PERT INENT QUESTION
ny CHARLES II. MANDY

Given an equal opportunity, 1t can hard
ly be questioned but that a boys chances
for success In life are far greater than
those of a girl. When the opportunities
are not equal the proposition admits
OF no argument The question has been
asked Are the girls of Alabama less
worth saving than the boys?" Utmost
every man and woman in the state would
say In answer: Certainly not, If any ad-
vantage is given 1t should be In favor of
the girls"
Yet II would seem that the state of Ala
bama considers the reformation of it's
hayward boys of greater Importance than
the saving of hayward girls
For instance;
At East Lake are located two insttu-
tons supported largely by the state one
is the Alabama Boys Industrial school, a
splendid institution fairly well equipped
with buildings and facilities for the train
ing of the boys that become the wards
of the state. 1t is an institution of inn
mense value and one that every citizen
should he proud Of.
In the shadow of this noble institution is
an ordinary dwelling house. 1t is called
the Alabama Home of Refuge, 1t is pos
sibly large enough to accommodate with
some comfort a family of six or SEVEN
yet crowded in its limited capacity are
"a girls of tender age. Children as they
are, they have all been committed to the
home for acts of delinquency. They are
never had a chance" II is the purpose
OF the home to train and educate them
and give them an opportunity to become
righteous and self-respectng
In this great and sacred work the man
ayers of the home are sadly hammered
bV the lack of accommoda lions and funds
Inc state makes an appropriation of $50 p
000 foi the boys institution-we wish II
We're 0d0,6o0-the state appropriation for
the girls is $1,000 Both are statewide in
| their scope and usefulness: both seek TO
reclaim and train and educate their in
mates both are necessary for the good
of society.
With these figures In view is not the
question. Are the girls of Alabama
less worth saving than the hoys?" a
pertinent one and one that calls for the
serious consideration of thoughtful men
and women.
1t Is true that the boys school has
ABOUT 313 inmates and the girls nome
only A. but II must not be forgotten
| that owing to the lack of accommo-
dations and funds many girls are de-
MED admission in the home, denied the
opportunity to receive the instruction
and training that would fit them for
seif-respectine, self-supportne citi-
zens.
The boys are comfortably provided
for. The girls accommodations are
meagre and entirely insufficient
Then again. what becomes of the
girls that
be remembered such only are sent that
| are Maynard. There can only be one
answer and that is. they are left to
| drift with the tide and in nine cases
| out OF ten go to swell the appalling
ranks of the underworld
! Are the girls of Alabama less worth
saving than the boys?" God knows they
i are. and you reader know It, For ev-
| cry girl child gone astray through the
| failure of the state to provide a place
Whefe they could be protected AMI
trained the state is responsible
IL must not be inferred from this
article that the lady managers of the
refuge have any criticism to make or
even suggestion that would reflect on
the Boys Industrial school. on the
contrary, many of them are the moth
ers of boys and their motherly sym
patty goes out to the little chaps who
are In the school, nay more many OF
them are active workers for H.
All the managers ask Is that the
legislature of the state of Alabama at
its next meeting will realize the need.
Importance and absolute necessity of an
increased appropriation for the girls
school-one that will enable them TO
carry on the work properly, give the
girls an equal showing with the boys
in the matter of training and educa-
ton.
Will not the next legislature equalize
the care and attention given both sexes.
realizing that both are at least of equal
Importance? Will they not match the
Boys Industrial school with a Girls
Training school? Will they not provide
a farm with suitable buildings, and a
maintenance sufficient to give the 300
| or more neglected girls a chance to be-
| come self respecting, self supporting
citizens? Thus making them an asset
| instead of charge on the state
| Is not the home the foundation of
society? Does not the purity of the
home rest in womanhood?
1t is indescribly sad to contemplate
| the large number of young girls whom
loving care might have developed into
noble women, left TO swell the ranks
OF the underworld or that most AFFECT
| of all types, the woman criminal
The issue is not one of sentimentality
or philanthropy, but of simple racial
preservation and OF justice We are the
keepers of our sisters as well as of
our brothers. Strive to evade the duty,
and its economic and hygienic penal
ties alone are incalculable.
And. Mr.. Legislator. they propose to
put the matter squarely before you
when you meet. They will ask you
this question, Are the girls OF Ala
bama less worthy of being saved than
the boys?" Your legislative action in
this matter will be you answer
For the benefit of the many that are
not familiar with the Alabama home Of
refuge. its brief history is as follows:
The institution had its beginning in
the hearts of band of women who
realized the danger of neglecting the
young girl. as well as the need of pro-
tecting her. They began in 1908 In a
small way, renting a house in West End.
and later on. as the work grew, NOV
ing to East Lake, where a house was
purchased for $500. 1t was soon found
however, that the undertaking could
not be carried out as 1t should by
private means, and In 1911 the insti-
tuition was turned over to the state, the
Legislature making an annual appropria-
tion of $4,000 for it's maintenance. The
city of Birmingham and the county OF