The Washington herald., 1914-01-15
BY MARY D. MULLETT.
(Copyright. lsl&D


Although Miss Alice c. Smith daily
faces tragedy in its bitterest phase. she is
one OF the most serene women I have
ever met. In fact. she is more than mere
ly serene. There is something wholesome
and stimulating about her. And she has
a delicious sense of humor which makes il
a delight to be with her.
Because Of this sense of humor she
laughs when you ask her by which one
OF her titles she prefers to be known:
whether as The Angel Policeman
THE Friend of the Fallen" or THE
Torchlight of Jefferson Market Cavern .
These are the sentimental sobriquets
which have been applied to her. But she
doesn't bother about that sort of thing.
She has bigger questions to think Of
For twelve years she has been a pro-
baton officer ofS<the New York City
courts. Since the Night Court for Wom-
en- was opened a few years ago she has
been connected with it: and more than
5000 "wayward' girls-giris of the street
have ben paroled under her oversight.
The court opens at o'clock in the even
ing and sits until 1 or In the morning.
And during that time constant process
sion OF these girls passes before the mag
istrate.
Keeps Track Of Then.
Miss Smith has acted with remarkable
and of women of position and wealth
who, through her. have helped many an
unhappy young woman to recover her
lost place in society. Sometimes these
kind-hearted women have become the
personal friends Of the girls whose cases
they take up. Sometimes they work only
through Miss Smith. She keeps track OF
the girls all the time. And among her
warmest friends today are some Of these
Same girls who. through her influence,
have been rescued from life Of tragedy
and have become honored members Of
society.
She has interested one wealthy New
York woman so deeply in this work that
this woman constantly furnishes the
means for taking care Sf five girls from
the ranks Of the Night Court, paying for
their support until they are brought to a
condition of mind and body where they
can maintain themselves decently and
honestly.
Strangers 60 to the Night Court and
come away with a dull sense of prob
lem SO overwhelming as to seem perfect
ly hopeless. But after twelves years of
experience. Miss Smith. in her steady.
balanced way, asserts that she never de-
spairs. She says that 90 per cent of these
girls can be reclaimed. And that, with
improved economic and political condi-
tions. the percentage can be made much
higher.
Alice Smith was born in Hornell. N. Y.
and went from there to San Francisco,
where she studied music. New York City
drew her-as II does thousands of other
girls-and she became a piano student In
one Of the conservatories. But before she
knew II, life had supplanted music as the
object Of her keenest interest.
when She Began Work.
She was an attendant of the Fifth Ave-
nue. Baptist Church. of which John ID.
Rockefeller was a member. and she be-
gan her social work by teaching in a set
tlement house he had built. Finally she
took decided STEP She definitely aban-
doned the study of music and went to
live and to work In home for discharged
women criminals. When the city hrst
consented to experiment with woman
probation ofiicer, Miss Smith received
the appointment as a volunteer" That
means that, while the city was willing
to experiment with her services, 1t was
not willing to put any money into the
affair
Mr.. Rockefeller. however, felt very diff
ferently about 1t. He wrote to the police
department, offering personally to pay her
salary. and this he continued to do until
the city. satisfied Of the success Of the