Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-29
MORALS COURT TO BE
ESTABLISHED TO UPLIFT
UNFORTUNATE WOMEN
Social Workers and Others Who
Believe Offenders Should Have
Chance to Reform Inter-
ested in Project
JUDGE BROWN IN CHARGE

Philadelphia viii soon have a unique
tribunal. the like OF which no other city
can boast Not far from City Hall, where
each day criminals OF all stripes are put
. through the grind together with those
whose offcnses are trivial In comparison
win be a morals court for the regenera-
tlon of unfortunate women caught within
the dragnet OF the police OF vice squad,
Social workers. charitably inclined wo-
men. Judges and others who believe such
women should be given an opportunity TO
see the error Of their ways rather than be
railroaded to prison, have indorsed the idea
OF the new court.
The new tribunal will occupy the re-
modelled Roberts vaux School, Seventeenth
and Wood streets, which was abandoned
by the Board of Education several years
ago. The operation OF remodeling the
building has been going on for almost
year. II will be completed within three
weeks. The cost of the improvements is
approximately $4,000.
Meanwhile. President Judge Brown, OF
the Municipal Court, who will preside over
the morals branch, his associates and
others interested In the Innovation, are
working out details for caring for women
prisoners. II is proposed to deal with the
problem OF vice scientifically through the
new court.
Women brought there will be examined
mentally and physically. and those suffer-
ing from disease of any kind will be Inn
medlately sent TO a hospital. where they
will remain until cured Social workers
will thoroughly investigate the living con-
dltions OF prisoners and other points which
will aid the Judge in passing sentence.
One OF the interesting points to the new
court, and one not In operation In any other
city. is the proposed parole system. Under
this system women not old offenders will
be released parole, but must report
regularly to probation officer until the
Court believes they are reformed.
sThe new courthouse will be we'll equipped
for the work II is to perform. The first
floor will contain the Judges court, a room
40 by 80 feet There will also be a large
waiting room. a Judges ROOM clerks room,
keepers room, two cells and a lavatory.
The second floor will contain a general
ward, two clinics. nurses room, two pri-
vate rooms for treatment OF patients. rest
room. matron's rooms and treatment room.
dormitory, sitting room, kitchen. store
room, dining ROOM pantry and four private
rooms will occupy the third floor. The base
ment will contain large storeroom. cells
and a steam-heating apparatus. A steriliza-
ton plant is housed in a newly-constructed
building.
The misdemeanants division of the
Municipal Court was established June 25,
1915, under an act of Assembly.
An advisory committee of which Theo-
dore J. Lewis is chairman, will aid Judge
Brown In the organization Of the new court
Associated with Mr.. Lewis in this work are
Mrs. E. T. Stotesbury, Mrs. Robert NJ. Les
ley and Mrs Leon M. Hagedorn. DIR. Fran
els c. Van Gasken. a member of the Court
Aid Society, will head the medical Depart
ment Of the new court