The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-08
PRISON REFORM"
 SUNDAYS THEME
By CARL H. MILAN

Some one has said that "a grapefruit is lemon that has had a chance Whether this definition is or is not scen- tifically true, it is worthy of considera- tion. if for nothing else, because it gives some idea of the difference a "chance' can make. Air and light and soil and water are all that can possibly matter to a lemon, but the poorest human soul craves freedom, independence, sympathy, companionship, friendship, love-life. The humanitarian movement in prison reform prompted by love to feed hungry souls to give them chance.
 April has been designated as 'sPrison Reform Sunday, and ministers have agreed to preach on that subject
 As Miss Julia Tutwiler, the greatest women Alabama has produced, devoted a great deal of her time and zeal to this cause; her life may be taken as wonderful, inspiring example. The ma terial at the public library about Miss Tutwiler includes, in addition to a great many clippings which appeared at the time of her death, sketch in the Ameri- can Magazine 72:564 and appreciative articles on her personality and work in
 Sketches of Alabama History" Dubose, History of Alabama, Brown, and American Women in Civic Work,'' by Bennett.
 The observance of Prison Reform Sun day. it is hoped will awaken interest and inspire intelligent study of the prob lem. The amount of material written on the subject is, at first, bewildering, but a systematic order of study will simplify matters. A thorough knowledge of prison life under the present routine is necessarily the foundation for any re- formatory steps. within Prison Walls. by Thomas Mott Osborne, is recommend ed for this. purpose and Penal and Re formatory Institutions" edited by C. R. Henderson and published by the Russell Sage Foundation for the Eighth Inter- national Prison Congress, is probably the best condensed work on the subject.
 Current magazine articles will give the best idea of what is being done to inn prove conditions. There are many or- ganizations with this purpose. such as Mutual Welfare Leagues and Prisoner Correspondence Leagues. Prison Re- form and Criminal Law'' also published by the Russell Sage Foundation is sig nificant.
 A study of the ideals and aims of such devotees as Julia Tutwiler and Thomas  Mott Osborne, will show the ultimate aim-the dream-of prison reform. Of Os- borne's system it is said, The new sys- tenn is not built on any one personality but on the broad principle of overcoming evil with good, of drawing out the best in man, and through his loyalty to others, his desire to make good.
 Among the pamphlets in the public H. brary are noted such captions as Prison Reform and Sentimentality," "Beast?-or Man?" Justice and Charity "The Re birth of a Convict "Gagging Prisoners. and "The Prison as a Home"
 Les Miserables" is unsurpassed in it's lesson of humanity. The bishop is still a model for some, but sad to say, others play the role of Javert, and wilfully neg feet the souls and harden the hearts of the unfortunates. Other books showing the results of inhumane convict systems are "The Pigeon by Galsworthy; Resurrection by Tolstoy, and Tt is Never Too Late to Mend." by Charles Meade.