Evening journal., 1916-04-19

prickett that they omit the names Of
the children.
Judge Prickett made a few remarks
in conclusion, in which he said that
the vision Mr.. Paris has unfolded is
inspiring. while it is in a sense dis
couraging. 1--WE cannot begin TO at
tempt the work here that Philadel-
phia is doing" he said, "but we can
all help with our time and interest" "
He explained that the work seems TO
him to be OF more importance than
that of other courts The nature Of
the work is so fundamental, so worth
while He made a plea for volunteer
assistance.
Persons wishing 10 volunteer their
services were requested by Judge
( Prlckett to hand in their names.
Mr. Kurtz announced that the al
lowance OF City Council OF $3.50 for
the maintaining of the detention house
had been stopped although efforts
will be made to regain the appropri-
alton. The court will ask for an ap-
preparation Of $2,1O0 this year instead
Of 81 500. as previously received.
William f. Kurtz. the retiring presi-
dent presided. and at the brief bust
ness meeting the following officers
We're elected George B. Miller, presi-
dent: Miss Katherine Pyle. vice-presi-
dent. Richard Cadbury, Jr., secretary;
Mrs W. II. Fem, treasurer
The following committee was ap-
pointed 10 arrange with the Building
Commission to secure suitable quar-
ters for the Juvenile Court: William
r. kurtz. chairman Miss Caroline
Cooper, George B. Miller. Charles II.
Grantland. Miss Katherine Pyle and
Judge William e. Prickett
Mr.. Farra Reports Work.
I'm his annual report Chief Pr0ba-
tion Officer Farra said in part.
THE greatest need of the prObs-
tion system in Wilm u gton. outside of
a detention home. is a man assistant
whose duties IL would he to serve
subpOenaes, summons make arrests.
when il Is necessary. deliver commit
ted children TO the institutions, and
assist IN making investigations of
cases brought to the court, practi-
cally all of which must now be done
During the last year an average
of 200 children at n time have been
on probation. under the care Of the
chief probation officer and his assist
ant, who is very competent woman.
"The chief probation officer has had
to do all the work above enumerated.
with the exception of what his assis-
tant has been able 10 do
THE work of the Juvenile Court is
rapidly increasing. not because the
children of our city are growing
worse. but because the citizens of
Wilmington are realizing that the
Juvenile Court can and does secure
results with the boys and girls. and
are bringing cases TO the attention of
the Juvenile Court that they would
not think of taking to the criminal
court.
with tfese added duties placed on
the chief probation officer. it leaves
very little time for him to study the
individual child or the causes of de-
linquency and plan methods of cure
and prevention. and unless this fact
is realized and adequate probation
! force is provided, the probation work
will of a necessity suffer seriously.
THE whole scheme Of the Juvenile
Court is to help the child and build
up his character without taking him
from his own home and his own peo
pie
"To be obliged to commit him
either to an institution or another
private home means more or less O
a failure Of this scheme Il is an en-
couraging fact that the percentage OF
commitments by the Wilmington
court is smaller than in most of the
other cities. The Juvenile Court of
! Essex county. New Jersey Uo cite an
( instancel. is conside' cd a model one.
During the last ye"r 1867 cases were
brought before that court or these
lS2 we're committed to institutions,
that is 10 say about per cent. The
Wilmington Juvenile Court had Sl2
cases brought before il. or these so
or $40 per cent. were committed ia
institutions and private homes other
than their own. ! nave not received
a report during the year which shows
less than ten per cent OF commit
m snts. and this shows that the Juv-
emile Court of thi city is securing