davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12
Expert Gives Real Purpose Of Juvenile Courts and Their
Widely Varying Methods of Administration. Appoint
nnent of Women Assistants to Hear Girls

she adult criminal; they have both vlo-
lated he law and they must both be
punished. Sut at common law child
under couS not be held respon-
sble for his criminal acts. From time
10 time statutes have been passed fixing
the arbitrary age limits below which the
child Is not deemed to be criminally re-
sponsible and above which he may be
punished as an adult. The juvenile
court legislation simply carries this idea
forward. 1t raises the age limit and
says that child under IS or IL or Is
who violates the law shall not be
deemed a criminal
The most significant contribution to
juvenile court procedure since Its
original conception is the appointment
In . few cities Of a woman assistant to
hear and pass upon all girls cases. In
the several cities II. which this has been
done tChlcago. st. Louis and Denver) no
new legislation has been necessary. The
Judge Of the court has appointed in each
case a woman probation officer to the
position OF assistant as referee for girls
The cases coming before the girls
referee are Investigated and prepared
by the probation officers In the regular
way. Glr.s' cases are handled, of course,
by women only. The court is held In
formally I'm n small room fitted up like
an office. The referee secures the facts,
arrives at her decision. which Is trans
mi,ed TO the Judge OF the court and en-
erred by him as a Judgment OF the court.
In Chicago girls are given the option of
appearing before the regular juvenile
court judge or the woman assistant.
Up to January. 1914. after nine months
| OF operation, not one girl has elected to
appear before the regular juvenile judge.
The personality OF the Judge Is, as
matter OF course, all important be-
cause OF the great responsibility that
rests upon him. II Is desirable that he
be a trained lawyer. thoroughly &C
quainted with the principles underlying
I the legislation. He should. however. be
more than lawyer He should
be a student of and deeply inter-
ested in the problems OF philanthropy
and child life and a lover Of children.
, He should be able to understand the
ch.lds point of view and it's ideas OF
/ Justice. should be willing and patient
enough 10 search OUT the underlying
causes OF the trouble and TO formulate
/ tn. plan by which. through the cooperd-
/ ton of other agencies. the cure may be
| effected. Obviously, therefore. there is
/ here presented formidable argument
against the. assignment to this court
| of judges who may be well suited 70
! other judicial duties but totally unsuited
| TO work in the juvenile court.
| The delinquent child is taken into Gus
| tody either by a police officer or other
peace officer or probation or truant Off
GER who under the law is clothed with
m
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12

posed to the thought underlying the
modern movement. They are relics of
and part of the criminal law. In the
early history of the movement the
Supreme Court of Michigan declared
invalid a law OF that State which gave
power to a Juvenile court founded on
the chancery idea to impose a money
penalty. Nevertheless, money penalties
In the form Of costs Of court or fines
are in very common use in juvenile
courts where founded on the criminal
law. They cannot be used, however
where the law provides the civil (chan-
cery) procedure for the juvenile court
The disciplinary value of money penal
ties Is often secured. however. even I'M
der civil (chancery) procedure, by re-
curing restitution, the earning and
saving Of money or tho imposition Of
daily tasks.
There Is a difference OF opinion as to
the des!rability of using fines or money
penalties in childrens cases. II is re-
garded by some Juvenile court workers
as being entirely inefficient II urged
as an educational influence because the
burden Of the fine fails not upon the
child. but upon Its parents. Others re-
gard It not only as a penalty or punish
ment opposed in spirit TO the thought
underlying the law. but Of no educa-
tional value whatever. AS opposed, some
feel that fines have a more or less edu-
catlonal value for the child and in GER
tain instances for his parents. Where
the practice OF fines prevails they are
most frequently used in such cases as
automobile speeding and other viola
lions OF traffic ordinances, gambling
and similar offences in which money
plays a part In the offence. In practi-
cally all such cases the public, not an
individual. is the complainant. Fines
are useful, 1t is t:ged, In cases In
which discharge or probation are
equally unsuitable.
Probation Is n judgment of the court
placing the child under the guidance
and Contro. OF a probation officer. A
distinction should be made between de-
linquent and neglected children in the
use Of probation" Probation is prop
erly a term to be used only in connec-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12

ton with delinquent children, for It
means a trying out" Of the child under
guidance and discipline In the case OF
neglected children II Is the parents who
chiefly need 10 be looked after and the
term supervision" applying to the chill
dren more accurately indicates the
process than the word probation"
The use OF probation in juvenile
courts is very general but It's app.!ca-
ton varies greatly. Children OF aver
age habits with good homes and sur
roundings will be discharged in one
court and in another Jurisdiction placed
on probation.
In some courts children who clearly
are failing 20 respond TO guidance will
be put on probation time and again,
while in other jurisdictions they are
committed. As general rule probation
should be used whenever a child has
home in which he 10 not actually neg
lected and when he seems capable OF
response to good influences.
No suggestion can be made as to the
acts for which probation Is a suitable
disposition, because probation does not
depend for It's applica bil!ty on the act
but on the child and the conditions
under which ne lives. Probation may
be entirely suitable even when the
act committed Is very serious. II Is
primarily the child. not the act. which
the court is treating. Very often pro-
baton can be combined with condi-
tional factors, such as requiring a
family 70 move from an undesirable
nelghborho;d 10 one better adapted TO
the needs of their boy on probation,
Such conditions are justified by the
nature Of probation itself
II is the practice in many courts to
assign children on the basis Of religious
belief This is done particularly where
! the probation onicers are the paid agents
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12
DIVING THE PROBLEM OF THE DELINQUENT CHILD

of private societies. Catholic children
are assigned to Catholic officers, Prot
estant children to Protestant officers
and Jewish children to Jewish officers.
While the question of the religious
influences surrounding the child must
always be given full consideration and
attention by probation officers, the
problems involved in Lost cases of
neglect and delinquency would not
naturally suggest this basis of assign
ment. The religious influence should
be provided through. the parents. not
the probation officer Certainly II Is a
mistake TO sacrifice to the religious
basis OF assignment certain fundamental
distinctions in assignment on basis
OF sex, color, maturity and the character
Of children.
In a number OF courts the work Of
probation Is conducted chiefly by volun-
teer probation officers. these officers be-
ing sworn in by the Judge OF the court
as regular assistants, receiving no pay,
or unofiicially helping the court without
authority Of law. BY volunteer officer is
meant not the person who devotes a
large amount of time to the work and
receives no salary. for It is not after all
the receiving or not receivin., pay which
makes the difference. The difference Is
tina. the volunteer officer usually under
takes the work OF probation as an Incl
dent to other work. while the paid pro-
baton officer regards probation as his or
her chief business.
The volunteer officer therefore is a
comparatively unframed person without
the continual daily experience with
court children which gives the paid off,
Ger much of his or her ability. The vol
unteer system has been regarded n
most communities as a makeshift prece-
dent to a system OF paid officers. In
only one or two communities is the vol
unteer officer regarded in any other
light. In these communities It is held
that the volunteer officers furnish a type
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12

OF friendl!ness and interest in children
which paid probation officer with his
professional point OK view usually Goes
not possess FT!end!Iness ana interest
IN eh!!oren' however are entire!y de-
penaent on the personal qua4hcaNons
OF the ihdivloual ana nave llt'Ie OF notn-
ing 70 90 WIN payment LOT services 40
rea..y ih1eIesteu o'i'eei oeeoi"es 1o'usy
p roiess'ohal' as the suN eats "a the
rosu'''se. sys.em 49, 80 10 1919 o.
iheie 10 no 'o'ee "'''e'e' al ''''' at u
i'eH'' .,.,. ..,,.,. ,,u.
IN so"te .on'' ano,,o po.s .sen "a'o
oeen aPpo.,..eu -
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12

When transportation is necessary the
street car should be used. Arrest and
detention is necessary only in cases of
runaways. children so far beyond
parents control that they are unable 10
bring them to court and exceptionally
serious offences.
Ample provision should be made SO
that any child may be released expe-
ditiously upon a bond or his own recog-
n!zance. The Juvenile court law usually
provides that the probation officer or
one OF his assistants may release the
child taken into custody upon bond
with surety or upon a recognlzance.
This power may likewise be lodged In a
clerk or In the superintendent or Gus
todian OF the detention home. Needless
detention Of children being the thing
to guard against, the power of release
upon simple written promise to ap-
pear might with safety be lodged in "A
police captain OF district or a police
officer as well as the probation officers.
1t follows that promises thus taken. or
releases granted, should be promptly
reported to the proper office.
The work of investigat ton by the pro-
baton force OF court is in some cities
carried on by one or two officers who do
nothing else, while In other cities all
the regular officers do the investigating
of new cases for court as well as super
wise their wards on probation. The
method followed depends upon the or
ganlzation of probation work In any
given court. In few very large cities,
or in counties. distances necessiiate
dividing the city or county into dis
trlcts, to each Of which one or more
probation officers are assigned. The work
OF investigation Is therefore, under
taken by the district officer, who also
has the supervision OF cases on proba-
ton or parole. In most cities where
distances are not so great and the
probation force Is comparatively small.
II is customary to assign children to
Officers according to the natural groups
OF children to he cared for--neglected
children, for instance. to the women
officers; the larger boys 10 men officers;
the smaller girls and boys TO women
colored children. or children OF any nom
English speaking nationality (where
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12
An old residence in a cry OF
100000 used as a detention home.

their numbers are large) to officers OF
the same race OF nationality,
Under such a system of assignment
where the officer is doing work with
group OF individuals rather than In a
district. the business OF Investigations Is
separated from that OF looking after chill
dren on probation or parole. Under this
plan II would seem desirable TO have
one officer In charge OF inves; igations
with at least one or two part time as
sistants. particularly a woman for the
girls cases. This specialization Of work
Is not only an economy OF time but
actually results in better work. Good
investlga ors are often not at their best
in looking after children or probation
The investigating habit Of mind--that
is, the getting OF facts, putting them to-
gether and giving the court a complete
picture OF Cascades not adapt itself
easily to the supervision and handling
OF children on probation.
Good investigation requires doubtless
even higher faculties OF perception,
keener judgment, as thorough training
and as extensive sympalhies as working
out the problems OF probation. On the
investigator depends largely the jude-
ment Of the court, the assignment on
probation and the beginning Of the pro-
stationary treatment.
There are probably very few courts in
which It would not be possible and de-
s!raele to prevent a considerable per-
eentage OF cases from coming before the
Judge at all--cases which are too trivial
for judicial action. Many courts hear
such cases only because no system Of
taking care OF them otherwise has been
worked out. In courts where the chief
! probation officer can exercise discretion
In fling complaints he should strive "a
prevent trivial complaints being filed.
Truant officers. police officers and others
J can also settle many trivial cases with
out recourse to court.
! The delinquent children who come
before any juvenile court may be
roughly divided into three groups from
the standpoint OF their social status,
which best indicates the dispositions to
be made:
First. those whose homes and social
influences are thoroughly good. but
who have committed some offence. Such
children DO no, need an institution or
probation. except in very rare cases,
Discharge, warning. restitution and the
like are most applicable.
Second, children whose homes and
social environment are ineffective who
offend moro or less frequently. and who
are In need Of additional guidance
Such children need probation, and. that
failing. the special training Of an in.
stitution.
Third, the small number Of children
mentally or morally defective. These
children usually need exceptional care
sometimes in their own home or In q
fami.y-more often in institutions
Feeble minded children should be sent
TO institutions. Probation is rarely q
satisfactory disposition OF such cases
and a discharge is worse,
Money penalties or fines as punish
ment for wrongdoing are absolutely op
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12
MAIDS IN UNIFORMS TO MATCH.

A MEXICAN women are awake 10
~ the pictorial value the housemaH
has in the setting OF everyday
life OF the house and at special tGnc-
tons. The latest idea Is that TO make
the picture quite complete the house
maids dress should harmonic in color
with the scheme OF furnishing in the
rooms in which she plays her important
part.
One young housekeeper has UNI
formed her maids in soft green English
cashmere and cream white linen, 10
match her country place, which is sue.
cessful!y done in green and sold
throughout.
Another woman has a summer estso'
lishment with a blue and bun color
scheme. Her maids have a becoming
outfit. The morning dresses are OF
French chambray in champagne
color, while the afternoon livery Is
plain soft blue cashmere. made on
severe lines, with a high tailored collar
with the sheer linen turnover and Guns
matching the dainty aprons.
Though the color invasion has 10
ardent followers, black for afternoon
and dinner service in conservative
homes will remain popular. Many nos
tesses allow their maids 10 vary their
morning uniform by wearing "a!'e'
pink or blue linen or chambray
The apron Is a very important aces
sorry in the maids uniform. TAe tH'
dresses OF the morning demand mem
stitched white linen apron, the Do
being carefully ana trinity httsd 70 tho
figure. The collar and Guns Ha'u'a'''
match the material OF the apron
With the afternoon dress worn as.
in the evening the apron Is o. So.
dotted or plain Swiss, or net. THIS c'e"
does not demand cap.
As the washing OF these tuo d'esse'
10 expensive many housekeepers ha's
their maids day dresses made o.
softer material easy TO wash thus H1s
ing it possible for the servants 20 % 'ns
washing themselves. Some worea -.
the other hand, prefer their macs
wear white wash dresses all cay 4"'
the entire season through.
And again there are estaoHs'".', -.
in which white or!lliant,ne IS Hsea ;.
the morning and black for ire ave-
noon and evening.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12

HE rapid spread OF iuN emile courts
has brough; with 10 certain mis-
L understanding as to the real
purpose Of the courts ard widely
varying methods of administration.
Bernard F,exner. who is an expert on
the sub,e,.J. sahed yes.,, say Cor Eng
land TO make an ex'n-;ctive study OF
the juvenile courts there. During the
past year he has been collecting mate
rial concerning tho operation Of juve-
nile courts In our various States and on
friday last issued a book on tn subject
through the Century Company. II is
called Juvenile Courts and Probation"
Roger n. Baldwin assisted Mr.. Flex-
ner in Its pre- paratiou. II Is the first
serious and intensive study Of the sub
ject to be made and is intended as a
guide 10 judges, probation officers and
interested laymen.
The authors state that the modern
movement with reference to the juve-
nile court began with the introduction
IN the Illinois Legislature of bill Gre
atine the juvenile court for the State
Of Illinois and the establishment of the
court in Chicago In July. 1899. It is
difficult TO state with absolute preci-
SION 20 WHO'LL u uut the circuit lOl nav
ing first suggested the thought that
later crystallized into the illinois juve-
nile court. In various parts Of the
country prior to the establishment Of
the Chicago court public sentiment had
been taking shape in favor of some
method of handling ehlldren's cases
other than that which had been in use
for many years.
As early as October. 1898, !. J. Kelso
Of Toronto. Canada. urged the establish
ment OF such courts a. meeting IN Chi
cago OF tho walf Saving Congress and
IN the same year legislation looking 10
the establishment OF such a court was
passed In the Province Of Ontario. Trac-
ticaliy nothing was done. however, under
this legislation. Prior to this date Mas
sachusetts. New York and certain other
States had statutes providing for the
separate hearing OF chldrens cases
apart from those of adults. An act
along the same general line OF the Mas
sachuse It's act for the separate hearing
Of tuven lie offenders passed the Rhode
Island Legis ature in 1885, and became a
law in 1895 Notwithstanding these
earlier statutes, however, 1t may fairly
be stated that the first consistent effor,
looking to the creation of the juvenile
court as an institution began in Illinois
N 1899.
The legal questions involved In the
problem Of the delinquent child. while
not complicated. have nevertheless
given rise 10 some discussion ana L.
some slight dissent from the standpoint
~ constitutional law. In so far as tho
court deals with neglected children there
IS esss ntia,ly nothing new Ia It's me .hod
The new note In the movement is in The
attitude az the court toward the delln-
uuenr or offending child. tnd.r The Old
law such e. child was consider. d as a
mere law breaker and offender against
the public peace, TO be reached in the
only way known to the law Of reaching
him, namely. through conviction for a
specific offence.
According to tn $ view no distinction
is made between the Offending child and
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12
Proposed building for Juvenile
court, New York city.

go hand in hand; that the court jointly
with the father and mother is working
TO make things go right. The child
should be conscious of unity of action
between parents and the court.
Many probation officers undertake a
great deal too much work themselves.
Where they see distress and need they
are too likely to attempt to meet it
without reference TO other agencies.
There are many instances OF probation
officers raising funds to assist families:
of busying themselves with getting jobs
for members of the family not in their
care, securing nurses and physicians
in cases Of sickness. all at sacrifice OF
their proper work. Such needs should
be referred 10 constituted agencies for
solution.
New York city offers a type OF CO.
operation between home and school that
other cities might do we'll to initiate. In
1906 the visiting teacher was put into
the field for the purpose OF dealing in
diligently, alphabetically and prompt
ly with the child who had for one rea-
son or another became a problem at
school. The following year. is07-os
connection was made with the Pub
lie Education Association, a volun-
teer organization that supplements
the work OF the Department of
Education. 1t is the visiting teach
er's duty to focus the attention of
school and home so effectively upon
the child that he may be spared the
services OF the remedial agencies af-
forded by the community. She does
this by studying him intimately at
school, at home and in his immediate
neighborhood, thereby establishing a
close friendly relation with him. Visits
innumerable she makes to him and TO
his haunts, day or night. whatever and
whenever the occasion demands. Grad
ual!y, with the visiting teacher as go
between" the principal and teachers
come TO know him as he is outside the
class room, anG likewise the mother
and father are brought face to face
with him in his school relations. As
result Of this exchange OF views
opinion regarding him shifts, judgments
sometimes soften, and, what Is more
rational treatment follows.
The probation methods so far dis
cussed apply particularly 10 cities
The application OF these methods &C
rural districts is full Of difficulties which
vary with conditions. There are few
strong organizations Of children's work
in rural districts anywhere. The chic,
difficulty in organizing probation WORK
in rural districts is the distance 10 bs
covered. Most rural districts con.
s!st OF large agricultural area:
dotted with small towns. usual,
. poorly connected. The county sea
at which the Judge sits is usually
not a large place, and the ch!orer
come long distances. Probation work /.
therefore much scattered. For tina
reason one paid officer who might in III,
city supervise so 10 100 Children cal
adequately supervise not more thar
40 to 50 in the country, There is fire.
quently the further complication tina
the number Of children Is too small L
) require the time OF more than one per