Omaha daily bee., 1916-10-01
HELPING CRIMINALS
TO STEER STRAIGHT
When Home Influence Is Not
Good, Chances Are Child
Will Go Wrong.
ONE MANS GOOD WORK

0&t4A ASs&A&s - ~~S w S&sA&
Sixty per cent OF the men who COM
nit crimes in Douglas county are or
phans or come from homes disrupted
by discussions and unsavory condi-
lions created by abuse of personal
privileges.
Ninety per cent OF the young men
who have committed their first crime
have been given the privilege and
protection of the parole law They
Nave been saved from the penitentiary
through their determination to save
themselves and by promises fulfilled
to Adult Probation Officer M. An
dreason.
Spend a few minutes in district
court some day and take the time to
inquire into the causes and the rea-
sons why Mr.. Andreason pleads for
the STRIPPING.
For three years before the parole
law was passed and before the peo-
pie fully realized the efficacy Of the
'big brother" plan, Mr.. Andreason
contributed his services to Douglas
county. 1t was a hobby with him.
For more than eighteen years he
has been student Of Methodism. He
is nor an ordained minister. He's just
a good fellow and wholesome big
brother to the other fellows, who stub
their toes.
Gospel OF Help.
Break into the county jail any
morning and you will find Mr.. An
reason comforting with prisoners, who
exhibit willingness to buck up" and
tread the straight and narrow. But
he goes about his work in a quiet un-
assuming manner. Only those I'M
mcdiately connected with the dis
frict court are conversant with re-
suits gained and Mr.. Andreason is
content. Publicity given the cases Of
paroled young men sometimes in-
jures their opportunities for securing
employment. Before prisoner is pa
rolled to Mr.. Andrcason he is pro-
vided with job. II Mr.. Andreason
is unable to find work for him he
stays in jail until the job appears.
When the young man returns from
the state penitentiary he is given en-
ployment, paroled to Mr.. Andreason
and instructed to report to him regu-
lariy.
Let Mr.. Andreason tell bit OF the
story:
Make Costly Mistakes.
The ordinary minister, unaccus-
toned to working among the boys
and men who have felt the sting Of
privation and the bite of the law, is
wholly unqualified to consult and con-
fer with him. He does not know the
surroundings. He does not realize
the condition Of that young mans
mind. He will apply for a parole for
dope fiend, who would be better
III in jail for six months to enable
him to conquer the habit. Az the
came time the ordinary preacher win
suggest that the first offender be
punished for crime that he was per
iisps drawn into by evil environ
nlent.
.;For eighteen years ] have been IN
teyested In this boy-saving work,
When | have not been remunerated
BY the city or county / have contri-
buted my services. It's been a graft
lying work. The juvenile court
handles the cases Of youngsters, but
rutil last year, no provision was made
Tor the disposal OF striplings OF ten
der years, who had committed their
first offense and were consigned to
the penitentiary.
A Bit Of Sunshine.
II especially recall one young mar
who was charged with forgery Of a
railway pass about two years ago
When he resigned his position with
the company he purloined . pass and
filled it out for himself. He had moi
+ gone far before he was detected and
returned. This fellow, like the ma.
jority, was an orphan The lad Of IS
was placed in cell with hardened
criminai. The ex-convict became in
terested in the lad and wrote letter
to me as follows: My cellmate re
quires your attention. HIS Is guilty
Of his first offensc, realizes his crime
and is sorry.
He Made Good.
1.-THE boy was called before the lat,
Judge English and got the opportun
ity Of his life. He was paroled to Mr.
Andreason and short time later ap'
reared with little woman he made
Ills wife and announced that he wa:
making strides with telegraph com
pany in Omaha. This boy Is now on,
Of the best known heads Of the con
Germ in this district.
THE convict leaves the penitentiary
soured on the world.
"Thc boy saved from prison lif'
makes the better citizen because o
the lesson taught by his advisors. Thu
parole law is making better men anc
women instead Of grinding deserving
prisoners beneath the wheel OF pcna
servitude."
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