The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
NEW YORK NIGHT COURT FOR
 WOMEN AND OUR PROBLEM
Social Service Department By MRS. SIDNEY M. ULLaTAN

Among the many things I have seen on my recent trip east, and have writ ten of since my return, the New York wOmans night court seems to have at- tracted the most attention. Not long ago friend in commenting on this visit asked that I write further of the night court as the article written was com. paratively short.
 The womans night court is the saddest place I have ever seen. It is the most piJiful, degrading and sensational place in the great metropolis. Here is the courtroom for the woman derelict, and God help her; for she has little chance. The justice meted to her Is not lacking, but the stamp of the court is always on her. Once spotted by the police after being in there as a night ''bird" always a target for them.
 Every night the place is full, full from g p. m. until f a. rn.. always stream of women being put on trial; always the police charging them; always the cheap lawyer to prey on them; always the cry of the helpless and the synical smile of the hopeless.
 All women at low tioe. The first of fender, with her pitiful story of 'T didn't mean to do it." or the girl that pleads mot guilty as a last resort, and the old repeater.
 The curtain goes up at g o'clock every night, and falls at o'clock every morn ing on pitiful waste of humanity. The scene is never changed and though the actors are different, the parts they play are ever the same.
 he fnr this awful aste of human morals Dr. Kath- erin Bement Davis was asked There are mary reasons, but the greatest cause is mans greed. Did it ever occur to you that 1t takes two to make bargain, she said. Well, it does, and it's usually the man that bargains the girl away
 In this dreadful night court are the most degraded of womankind, trunks, with 6isheveled hair and dirty faces, dopes, with bleary eyes. the solicitor with her brazen manner and hardened face, the feeble minded, that didn tslSnow, and the ignorant, now all too wise-all are here-all victims, and all once just girl children.
 Can't you see it? Must you be told? You women who sit back and pose as so high and mighty and cast the first stone, or you men that help to make such place as a woInan's night court neces- sary.
 ln a recent conversation WlIn Juo6e Arderton, the Birmingham city courts new recorder, he spoke of his great de- sire to assist the women that are brought up to him, not so much of putting them through the law as giving them another chance. This is indeed, fine manner and means a great deal to the commun- ity. However, 1t does not in any way solve the problem.
 But we digress, again are we at the night court. It is any night, but it is always New York. The throb of the city is quiet, the hour is early morn ing, this picture is presented: It is the old Market street courthouse, not mod ern in any particular, but its setting Is interesting; it is situated on the Bowery, at the entrance of the so-called Slum district of New Yorks East Side. The courtroom is very large and was prob ably handsome in it's early life; but now it looks dingy and sad; like some great granite entrance to a cave with an ever opening and shutting door on the world letting in the victim and closing on her.
 The judge is an old man with white hair the clerks are all rather old, but the police are young and the women are all ages. On the left hand side of the